EFFECTIVE
NETWORKING
STRATEGIES
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
 - Understand the importance and value of networking
 - Identify a current network of contacts to build upon
 - Leave with a specific networking action plan
WHAT IS NETWORKING?
‘A process where you develop long term
relationships with others for mutual benefit.’
WHY IS NETWORKING IMPORTANT?
 It is truly all about WHO YOU KNOW!
 You can meet people with similar interests
 There could be 100’s of applications for 1 opening
 Some open positions are never posted
 It can help you professionally and personally
 People know people who know people
Anyone you meet at any time of day is
an opportunity to network!
WHAT NETWORKING LOOKS LIKE
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
You have a need
Find contact(s) who may be able to help
Reach out to ask for GUIDANCE, ADVICE or HELP
Tell the contact how you are connected
Provide more details about what you need
Hopefully you receive a response!
Follow through on the guidance given
Thank the contact(s) and stay in touch
AN EXAMPLE
 Your dream is to work with a sports team in a big city
 You know a grad from your school who works as an
accountant in Chicago
 You email to ask if he knows of anyone in the sports field
 You mention the two of you were in the same marketing
class a few years ago
 You provide more about the sports-related positions you
think would be fun and some orgs of interest; ask if he
has advice about where to start
 He replies and says that his cousin works for the Chicago
Bears and he can connect you by email
 You follow up with his cousin once he makes the e-intro
 You thank him for his help and keep him updated!
WHERE IT HAPPENS
Professional networking can take place in several ways:
 One-on-one meetings
 You reach out to meet or talk individually
 Research company and prepare questions in advance to ask
 Be ready to provide the contact some background information
about yourself and what you are looking for
 Networking or social events with a group of people
 Social media (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
HTTP://MARKETING.LINKEDIN.COM/SITES/DEFAULT/FILES/ATTACHMENT/MIN DSETDIVIDE_INFOGRAPHIC.PDF
BEST STRATEGIES FOR NETWORKING
 Know how to properly reach out to some one using
professional communication.
 Ask for ADVICE or GUIDANCE for your internship/career
search (don’t ask for a job).
 Start with the people you know first.
 Use resources such as family, advisors, career center
staff, mentors, alumni.
 Know yourself/your interests, what you are good at; go in
with some knowledge about what you like and how your
skills fit.
BEST STRATEGIES FOR NETWORKING
 Keep a spreadsheet to help you organize and track who
you have talked to and any follow up.
 Find events to attend and go with a goal in mind, take
friends if you need the support but be sure to spread out.
 Use social media to help you!
 Have a fresh resume that you can easily make changes to
and send upon request.
 Be genuine in getting to know the person and offering to
help him/her as well.
 Use an email you check often.
 Don’t overwhelm yourself.
TROUBLESHOOTING
 What if I am shy or the thought of going to a networking
event makes me cringe?
 What if I reach out to someone and I never hear back?
 Is it better to email the contact directly or ask someone
to do an email introduction?
 What if someone gave me more people to talk to and I
just got offered a position?
 What if I spent all this time networking and it led
nowhere?
HOW CAN YOU NETWORK EFFECTIVELY?
Let’s get to work!
Networking Worksheet
 Set goals & identify current network
 Set networking goals
 List who you know
 List who knows who you know
 Action plan for connecting
 Highlight one you plan to work on this summer
See example and fill out your own!
IN CLOSING…
Learning Objectives of this Session:
 Understand the importance and value of networking
 Identify a current network of contacts to build upon
 Leave with a specific networking action plan
THANK YOU!
Julie Schrader
Manager, Employer Development
Butler University
Internship and Career Services
Atherton Union 315
4600 Sunset Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46208
jschrade@butler.edu
(317) 940-8802