NETWORKING TECHNIQUES: How to Develop and Utilize your Network

Networking: Networking: The objective here is to let as many people know that you are looking and what you are looking for. The objective here is to let as many people know that you are looking and what you are looking for. Networks can help to develop information, provide feedback, uncover job leads, and facilitate interviews. Networks can help to develop information, provide feedback, uncover job leads, and facilitate interviews.

Workshop Objectives Upon completion of this workshop you will be able to: Develop a base list of contacts. Develop a base list of contacts. Effectively utilize your network. Effectively utilize your network. Expand your network through informational interviewing. Expand your network through informational interviewing. Write effective networking letters. Write effective networking letters.

Objective #1 Developing a networking list by contacting your:

Objective #2 Effectively Use Your Network Contact the members of your network by phone or in person to enlist their help in your job search. Contact the members of your network by phone or in person to enlist their help in your job search. Explain that you would like the chance to share your current resume with them and to solicit their advice about the type of position you are seeking. Explain that you would like the chance to share your current resume with them and to solicit their advice about the type of position you are seeking. Ask for contacts; be sure you make it clear that you are looking for people who can extend your network, not just for people who might be ready to hire you Ask for contacts; be sure you make it clear that you are looking for people who can extend your network, not just for people who might be ready to hire you

Objective #3 Networking Letters A networking letter reaches out to contacts and its focus is not to ask your contacts for a job, but to request their assistance in your job search by connecting you with people or opportunities. A networking letter reaches out to contacts and its focus is not to ask your contacts for a job, but to request their assistance in your job search by connecting you with people or opportunities.

Example Networking Letter It’s been a long time since we’ve last spoken. As you may recall, we met at John’s Doe’s golf outing last summer. After 10 years with SAS Corporation, I am in the process of making a career move. Having experience in Management, I am interested in identifying a situation where my contributions would be valued. As part of this new direction, I am interested in expanding my circle of As part of this new direction, I am interested in expanding my circle of acquaintances at the level of management. Considering your long history in the area, it seems that you may be able to provide me with a few select introductions in northern New Jersey. Ideal contacts would be with managers in firms having significant growth Ideal contacts would be with managers in firms having significant growth potential. A company facing a turnaround situation could also be interesting. In any event, I hope to move quickly in securing appropriate contacts. I am In any event, I hope to move quickly in securing appropriate contacts. I am enclosing a resume I recently developed. Perhaps you can share them with some of your associates. When you can, if you let me know who received the material, I would pick it up from there and give them a call. Thanks in advance for your time. I'll give you a ring later in the week.

Objective #4 Informational Interviewing Informational interviewing is an effective way to develop your network of professional contacts. Informational interviewing is an effective way to develop your network of professional contacts. A conversation with an experienced professional in your network can provide insight into the hidden job market and it also allows you to practice the skills you will need for employment A conversation with an experienced professional in your network can provide insight into the hidden job market and it also allows you to practice the skills you will need for employment

Steps to follow to conduct an Informational Interview Identify the occupation and industry you are interested in Identify the occupation and industry you are interested in Prepare for the interview Prepare for the interview Identify people to interview Identify people to interview Arrange the interview Arrange the interview Conduct the interview Conduct the interview Follow up Follow up

Questions to ask during an informational interview: What skills, abilities, or personal qualities do you think are most desirable for this position? What skills, abilities, or personal qualities do you think are most desirable for this position? What are some of the typical tasks involved in this position? What are some of the typical tasks involved in this position? How did you enter the field? How did you enter the field? What are the best sources to find out more about what's going on in the field? What are the best sources to find out more about what's going on in the field? What's the best place to look for job listings? What's the best place to look for job listings? Do my career ideas make sense given my background? Do my career ideas make sense given my background?

Objective #5 Cultivating and growing your network Developing and growing your network is an on going event. Developing and growing your network is an on going event. Maintain some kind of contact with these people, you will find that they will be a lot more responsive when you approach them in the future. Maintain some kind of contact with these people, you will find that they will be a lot more responsive when you approach them in the future. Even if you are not considering a job change, stay in touch with everyone in your networking system and contact him or her at least once or twice a year. It could be by phone or a short personal meeting. It could even be by posted letter or . Even if you are not considering a job change, stay in touch with everyone in your networking system and contact him or her at least once or twice a year. It could be by phone or a short personal meeting. It could even be by posted letter or .

Join Networking Groups Below is a list of national and regional organizations offering structured networking events: Below is a list of national and regional organizations offering structured networking events: The Financial Executives Networking Group The Financial Executives Networking Group The Financial Executives Networking Group The Financial Executives Networking Group Technology Executives Networking Group Technology Executives Networking Group Technology Executives Networking Group Technology Executives Networking Group Forty Plus Forty Plus Forty Plus Forty Plus Professional Area Network for Women in Technology Professional Area Network for Women in Technology Professional Area Network for Women in Technology Professional Area Network for Women in Technology Bright Circles Bright Circles Bright Circles Bright Circles

When networking… Embrace experiential learning opportunities that offer you hands on experience and remain in contact with the people at your learning site. Embrace experiential learning opportunities that offer you hands on experience and remain in contact with the people at your learning site. Participate in professional organizations. Participate in professional organizations. Subscribe to publications within your career specific area. Subscribe to publications within your career specific area. Exchange business cards whenever possible Exchange business cards whenever possible

Use Microsoft Access to organize your networking data and help you maintain your networking connections easily Use Microsoft Access to organize your networking data and help you maintain your networking connections easily