Professional Networking Checklist
Over 70% of the best jobs are found through professional relationships, not by using Monster.com. Therefore, it
is important that you learn as much as you can about networking and how to make it “work” for you in landing
the job. We all network each and every day, so take those skills a step further and start using them to find a fulltime job or internship.
Preparation
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Make a list of everyone you know who you feel comfortable saying “hello” to and asking for help
Give thought to how you feel others can help you with your career goals or getting a job
Work on your “thirty second elevator speech”
Be specific about what help you need from others
Refrain from thinking that you are “helpless” or “desperate” when networking with others
Be comfortable with the way you communicate with others and your own personal strengths
To get organized, develop a spreadsheet with action items, people contacted, and status
Be prepared to make specific dates/times with some contacts to ensure meeting take place
Prepare a resume or business card to leave with your networking contacts
Remember, we have all been other places and know other people from our past
Consider attending career fairs to practice presenting your strengths to recruiters
Okay, You’re On!
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Pick people you are very familiar with to start “rehearsing” your networking conversation
If appropriate, take notes, preferably on a professional looking notepad and cover
Keep focused on your goal(s) throughout the networking conversation
Make sure you have at least one take-away that you can act on from the conversation
Be open to leads or ideas from your conversations you hadn’t thought about
Encourage your contact to first introduce you to a referral before contacting that person yourself
Don’t allow yourself to be devastated if your conversation doesn’t develop as you had hoped
Follow-Up
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Always ask contacts for additional leads, otherwise your network will never get any larger
Ask if you may keep your contact apprised on how your career plans progress
Always let your contact know the status of anyone he/she may have referred you to
Keep records and business cards of the contacts you have made
Thank your contacts for their time via email, phone, note
Consider forming a networking group of fellow classmates to share ideas and information
Practice, practice, practice