Career Management Services
0 Defining Networking
0 Benefits of Networking
0 Who, What, Where is my Network?
0 How to Network
0 Building a Network
0 Keys to Successful Networking
0 Things to Keep in Mind
0 Merriam-Webster defines networking as …
0 The exchange of information or services among individuals, groups or institutions
0 Specifically the cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business
0 Being Active
0 Contacts
0 Openness
0 Skills
0 Information
0 Reputation
0 Knowledge
0 Support
0 New Leads
0 Self Esteem
0 Who?
0 Write down the names of people you know and where
they work if you know.
0 Include relatives, past or current coworkers, friends etc.
0 What?
0 What job are you looking for?
0 Consider industry or company.
0 Where?
0 Does someone else in the room have a contact at that
particular company?
0 Does someone else know someone who works in that
industry?
Know what you want!
0 What industries are you targeting?
0 What positions interest you the most?
0 What are your specific career goals?
0 What skills are you marketing to potential employers?
Knowing the answers to these questions will help you effectively
communicate your career direction to your contacts.
0 Prepare
0 Spend time preparing brief introduction about your
background, experience, skills and goals
0 Practice the introduction so you can deliver it with
confidence
0 Complete a list of potential contacts
0 Keep in mind that “It’s not WHAT your know, it’s
WHO you know.”
0 You can communicate with a networking contact by:
0 Phone
0 Letter
0 E-mail
0 Social Networking Sites
0 In Person
0 When calling a contact, be clear and concise in your
message
0 Prepare a list of questions prior to talking with the contact
0 Know what advice or information you are seeking
0 Gather contact information
0 Ask contact if you can keep in touch periodically
0 Expand your network by asking the contact to refer you
0 Join social networks online
0 Meet 5 new people
0 Get a personal business card
0 Globalize your network
0 Brand yourself
0 Take control of your virtual presence
0 Become an information sponge
0 Take a leadership role in your
0 Join virtual communities where your
industry
target market is
0 Attend gatherings
http://specht.com.au/michael/2008/08/28/10-tips-to-build-yournetwork
The best time to build your network is before you need something;
and the best time to keep that network strong is always.
0 Always send a thank-you letter after someone has
helped you
0 Organize your efforts by tracking who you’ve
contacted, the date of contact and the outcome or
action step which resulted
0 Notify your contacts when you have found a position
0 Be helpful to others when they ask to network with
you
0 Consider everyone you meet a potential networking
contact
0 Seek out new networking contacts by a asking for
business cards of potential contacts
0 Join a professional organization related to your
career interest
0 Be enthusiastic and positive when talking to your
networking contacts
DO
DO NOT
0 Be genuine to gain
0 Focus on getting
0 Feed the network to
0 Hide behind technology
credibility and long-term
relations
pass on useful
information and show
you are engaged
0 Offer to help using
humor and tact
something from a new
contact immediately
and avoid face-to-face
networking
0 Forget to read your
audience and provide a
personal approach
0 Experience: Part-time and Full-time job postings
0 Resume & Cover Letter Critiques
0 Internships & Co-op
0 ProTrack
0 Federal Work-Study
0 Florida Work-Experience
0 Career Workshops
0 Career Fair and Employer Day
0 Mock Interviews
0 And much, much more!
Connect to Career Management Services Today!
Florida Institute of Technology- Career Management Services
@panthercareer
Florida Tech Career Management Services
www.fit.experience.com