Claremont Graduate University
Building Your Network
Career
Development
FYI
Begin with people you know and work outward. Networking studies
show our most vital contacts are at least 3 people removed form
us--ask friends of your friends for connections.
Know Yourself
What's your value proposition? What do you offer? What problems can you solve and what
benefits do you bring to prospective contacts or employers?
Answer the following questions:
What are your key strengths?
What adjectives describe you?
What are you trying to 'sell' or let others know about you?
Why are you interested in the company or industry the person represents?
Who Do You Need to Know?
Do some research to find the right people.
1. Industry Experts--expertise directly related to
your needs, knows the right people, has contacts
in your company of interest
Mentor--to help you discover
what you need to know
Connector--to connect you to
others
2. Area Experts--other areas of expertise
tangentially related to your goals. Can provide
guidance in other ways.
Coach--to help you build specific
skills you need
Idealist--to help you see new
possibilities
Realist--to help you stay grounded
Final Advice
Attend a Networking workshop--see CDO
calendar for time & place:
http://www.cgu/edu/careerdevelopment
131 E. 10th St. Claremont, CA 91711 (909)621-8177
Outline Your Pitch
Who am I?
What do I offer?
What problem do I solve?
What are the main contributions I can
make?
What should the listener do as a result of
hearing this?
Guidelines
Write a sentence for each point
Connect the sentences with phrases to make
them flow
Chnage any long words or jargon into
everyday language
Keep it 90 words or less
Elevator Pitch Tips
Don't speak the way you write
Use common words
Turn your pitch into a question
Practice saying your pitch out loud, with
feedback
Be willing to ditch your pitch