Please make sure that you have read The Skills of Success chapter
of Chad Foster’s book Teenagers Preparing for the Real World.
See how Networking really works!
Organize Your Winning Network
You have learned what a computer network is in Computer
Applications class. Now see what a human network can do for you!
1. Networking Offers Big Benefits!
a. What is networking exactly? The process of developing
relationships with people who can assist with job
searching strategies and in finding strong job leads. In
our classroom experience these strategies will also help
you as you learn about various careers, college majors,
shadowing experiences and internship opportunities.
b. So what are the benefits? (1) Tapping into jobs or other
opportunities that you would not have access to
otherwise. (2) Gaining insider information about an
industry, about trends, and about job search and hiring
processes in your chosen field. (3) Getting a chance to
promote yourself. (4) Obtaining referrals to other
people who may help you.
2. The goals of networking: (1) To make as many people as
possible aware of your goal(s). This does not have to be limited
to the world of jobs and careers-although in our course we will
concentrate on this area. (2) To make a good impression. (3)
To seek leads and referrals to others who may help. (4) To
seek career and networking suggestions.
Assignment: List your personal support system—your network. Use
Inspiration on our classroom computers for this assignment.
(Portfolio)
Please make sure that you have read The Skills of Success chapter
of Chad Foster’s book Teenagers Preparing for the Real World.
See how Networking really works!
Networking is the top source of job leads because employers
prefer to hire people referred to them personally (through
networking). Therefore, the larger your network, the greater
your odds are of finding someone who knows a viable prospective
shadow mentor, intern mentor or employer!
Networking sources:
 Friends
 Relatives
 Current and former employers
 Coworkers
 Teachers, trainers, coaches, counselors
 Career/job/college fairs
 Classmates and alums from HH
 People you serve or meet at work or volunteer activities
(customers, etc.)
 People from your place of worship
 Neighbors
 Members, newsletter, membership directories and websites of
you clubs and volunteer groups
 Websites, bulletin boards, news/chat groups
 People with whom you do business (salespeople, clerks, others)
You could easily have 100-500 acquaintances. Multiply that
number by two (two-referrals from each person), and the
potential is astounding!
Assignment: List your personal support system—your network. Use
Inspiration on our classroom computers for this assignment.
(Portfolio)
Please make sure that you have read The Skills of Success chapter
of Chad Foster’s book Teenagers Preparing for the Real World.
See how Networking really works!
The following guidelines will help you get the most from your
networking efforts:
 Ask everyone for advice. Getting leads is important—they are
your goal. Don’t say “I’m looking for a ______ (you fill it in;
job, shadow mentor, etc.), do you know any?” Better is to say
“I’m looking for a _______ . Do you have any advice for
finding one in ________ (industry)? This focuses on the word
advice and makes your contacts more inclined to help. Be
courteous. Also ask for names of referrals you could contact
to seek additional info.
 Put college & career fairs high on your list. Fairs are an
excellent networking source because you can connect with
many potential college reps as well as career info sources.
 Participate actively in relevant groups. Join and be active in
clubs and other relevant associations or groups. They are a
valuable resource for getting leads and keeping informed.
 E-Network. Search for and communicate with contacts via the
Internet.
 Network for life! (Chad Foster’s example) In today’s changing
work world, it is essential to build and maintain strong
networking relationships throughout a career, not just during
a college or job search. Networking regularly will help you
remain informed and connected in your field and ready to
make a successful job change or be “there” (your name will
come to mind) when opportunity arises.
 Remember: It’s a numbers game. The more people who know
about you, your goals and qualifications, the greater your
chance of finding the ideal career and (eventually) job!
Assignment: List your personal support system—your network. Use
Inspiration on our classroom computers for this assignment.
(Portfolio)