Networking:
Building Relationships
that Last
Jason Ratliff
Career Advisor
Networking…
Is a way to build mutually beneficial
relationships with other people.
Networking may also be known as
~ schmoozing
~ mingling
~ or just plain meeting people!
Networking isn’t
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Immediately asking about a job
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Trying to get something from every
encounter. It demands patience and care.
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Maintenance free. You have to work at it.
Your most important assets in
networking are…
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Your initiative. Do you seek out ways to
meet new people. Are you willing to take a
risk to ask a question? Strike up a
conversation?
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Your confidence in being yourself.
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Your reputation. Do you follow through? Do
others trust you? Be careful who and what
you attach your name to.
Where to network
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Class
Airports
Work settings
Meetings
Conferences
Career fairs
Information nights
Alumni gatherings
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On line
Tourist settings
Entertainment venues
Weddings, family
reunions, etc.
Waiting in a line
Really, just about
anywhere!
Kinds of networking contacts
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Casual/social/chance contact
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Purposeful contact (i.e. meeting, career fair,
informational interview, etc)
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Thank you contact (should follow any initial
contact you want to maintain)
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Follow up contact (i.e. to give or follow up on
information promised in first contact or to
engage in referrals)
Things that draw people in
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A great sense of humor
Confidence
Being approachable--a
non-threatening
appearance
Smiling and eye contact
Starting a conversation
instead of waiting
Good manners
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Respect for cultural
differences
Sharing knowledge (but
not being a know-it-all)
Not taking yourself too
seriously
Knowing how to end a
conversation
appropriately
Genuinely listening to
others
Tell Someone here something
that draws you to people.
How to start a conversation
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Open with any shared reality. (i.e., the
weather, this workshop, being a student at BYU)
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Comment or ask about a prop (i.e. a picture,
food, event, etc.)
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Use the introduction/question opening (i.e.
“I’m a new member of this organization. What
do you like best about…?”)
Find someone
you’ve never met and
start a conversation.
How to make a career
connection:
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Be prepared with a plan.
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What’s your objective for the conversation?
What the other person expect from the interaction?
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Know who you are talking to – do some
preliminary research.
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Craft a 30 second personal pitch with a
purpose.
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Be genuine, confident, and most of all, YOU!
Pitching points to sell
yourself at a job fair:
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Skills. “I’m fluent in Spanish and English…” I have
strong research and writing skills…”
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Personal qualities. “I’m the kind of person who…”
“My past employers have valued my …”
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Accomplishments. “I’ve been preparing myself for
a career in science by …” “I served as president of
Student Professional Association for two years and
learned…”
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Expertise/Knowledge. “As an interdisciplinary
major in Social Science, I’ve learned how to…”
Tell someone new a little about
yourself.
What’s your purpose?
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To find out more about a career field or
position?
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To create opportunities for employment?
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To develop a strategy to advance your career?
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To connect with other professionals in your field
to share best practices or gain referrals?
Time to try it out!
Create your personal pitch
Give a great compliment!
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Identify what you are complimenting.
I really liked what you said about taking initiative.
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Share what you specifically liked about it.
I thought you were very perceptive about why people
often don’t take initiative and the leader’s role creating a
value for that in their organization.
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Share why you liked it.
You’ve given me some ideas I can take back and use to
help encourage others.
The fine art of the thank you note
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Send a thank you note to contacts you want to
build relationships within the next day.
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Email is convenient, but a hand-written thank
you note has a lot more impact.
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Be specific in your thank you….give a sincere
compliment!
Errrrr…what was that name?
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Use your name when reconnecting with a
contact. “Hi. I’m Jason Ratliff, we met at the
Career Summit last year”
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Introduce a friend/colleague so they can ask the
person’s name.
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Admit the person’s name has eluded you. “I
remember you, but I’m drawing a blank on your
name.”
10 tips for successful networking
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Dress appropriately and arrive early
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Always have plenty of business cards
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Make goals to meet 3 new people each week.
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Never start a conversation talking about yourself
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Keep your conversations short and focused.
10 tips for successful networking
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Listen and ask sincere questions
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Good manners are everything
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Thank people
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Make a point to sit with new people at a meeting
or conference
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Create opportunities for continued contact
Networking resources
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Alumni Career Advisory
Network on Alumni
Services
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Dale Carnegie or
Toastmasters organizations
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Churches
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Community organizations
and clubs
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Organization websites &
Vault on erecruiting
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Charity Events
BYU Alumni Assn.
Professional Associations
in your field
Racial-ethnic and gender
based organizations in
the community or
workplace
Contact information
Jason Ratliff
Career Advisor
Jason_Ratliff@byu.edu
For individual career advising and coaching on
networking, click on CAREER ADVISING at
422-3000
call
Add your purpose
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Networking question 1: What interests you most
about the organization/career field/position and
why?
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Networking question 2: “Might I contact you to
talk more about your experiences in the field or
perhaps you can suggest someone I might speak
with about….”
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Job fair question: Ask specifics about the
position not in the recruiting materials –or—Ask for
the opportunity to interview (if appropriate)