Networking and LinkedIn Tutorial for preparing to join the Dickinson Career Community group on LinkedIn Dickinson Career Center

Discussion Topics Networking Definition Benefits Who How Using LinkedIn & connecting with Dickinsonians 2

What is Networking? Developing relationships to get  Information  Advice  Referrals 3

Why Should You Network? Finding internships Learning about grad schools Researching an employer Career networking is for: Career and job exploration 4

Networking Benefits Get insider’s view Learn trends and vocabulary Improve communications skills Benefits for you: Meet professionals 5

Whom Should You Network With? Friends Family Friends of family, family of friends Dickinson faculty and staff People you’ve worked, interned or volunteered with Alumni you know 6

Networking Opportunities 7

How to Prepare 1.Know yourself 2.Research your areas of interest 3.Determine what you want to learn now – formulate questions 4.Articulate information about yourself and what you hope to learn 8

Check for Understanding 1 Correct answers are on the next page. 1. Networking is (choose one answer) _ Making connections and developing relationships to obtain information, advice and referrals _ Contacting alumni and asking if they have a job or internship for you 2. For students, the benefits of networking are (choose at least one answer) _ Learning about a career field from an insider’s perspective _ Learning the issues and vocabulary of your career field _ Meeting professionals in your area of interest _ Improving your communications skills 3. Preparation for networking should include (choose all that apply) _ Registering with an executive search company _ Researching people and industries _ Thinking about your interests, skills and experience _ Formulating a question that will move you towards your next career goal 9 _

Correct Answers to Check for Understanding 1 1. Networking is ✓ Making connections and developing relationships to obtain information, advice and referrals _ Contacting alumni and asking if they have a job or internship for you 2. For students, the benefits of networking are ✓ Learning about a career field from an insider’s perspective ✓ Learning the issues and vocabulary of your career field ✓ Meeting professionals in your area of interest ✓ Improving your communications skills 3. Preparation for networking should include _ Registering with an executive search company ✓ Researching people and industries ✓ Thinking about your interests, skills and experience ✓ Formulating a question that will move you towards your next career goal 10

Why alums like to network with students Why would an alum who doesn’t know me want to network with me? Thinkingboy by ocal at clker.com o People like sharing and advising o People enjoy “giving back” 11

Alumni Expectations Thinkingboy by ocal at clker.com What will the alum expect of me? LADY FACE WORLD LABEL OUTLINE CLIP ART at clker.com Be prepared Don’t ask for a job Respect their time Thank them after meeting Promptly follow up on referrals Tell them the end of your story 12

To Find Alumni, Join LinkedIn LinkedIn Profile = Public Resume Research Career Paths Apply for Jobs Join Groups Network 13

Finding Dickinsonians on LinkedIn – Step 1 Connections / Find Alumni 14

Finding Dickinsonians on LinkedIn – Step 2 Do Search 15

Finding Dickinsonians on LinkedIn – Step 3 Check Search Results. Title or Employer Look Interesting? 16

Finding Dickinsonians on LinkedIn – Step 4 Analyze Interesting Profiles – Select Alum 17

Check for Understanding 2 Correct answers are on the next page. 4. Alumni expect that students networking with them will (choose all that apply) _ Be prepared _ Not ask them for a job _ Respect their time _ Thank them after networking _ Promptly follow up with their referrals _ them later when the student has decided their next step, to thank the alum for helping 5. The best tool for searching for alumni on LinkedIn is (choose one) _ The Advanced Search function _ The search function in the Dickinson Career Community group _ The search function under Connections/Find Alumni 6. I can find the warmest networking partners on LinkedIn (choose one) _ In the official Dickinson Career Community group on LinkedIn _ In the general LinkedIn population _ In the unofficial Dickinson group 18

Answers to Check for Understanding 2 4. Alumni expect that students networking with them will ✓ Be prepared ✓ Not ask them for a job ✓ Respect their time ✓ Thank them after networking ✓ Promptly follow up with their referrals ✓ them later when the student has decided their next step, to thank the alum for helping 5. The best tool for searching for alumni on LinkedIn is _ The Advanced Search function _ The search function in the Dickinson Career Community group ✓ The search function under Connections/Find Alumni 6. I can find the warmest networking partners on LinkedIn ✓ In the official Dickinson Career Community group on LinkedIn _ In the general LinkedIn population _ In the unofficial Dickinson group 19

Contacting Dickinsonians through LinkedIn-Step 1 Join the Dickinson Career Community 1. Search for and select the Dickinson Career Community group 2. Click Join to request to become a member of the group 20

Contacting Dickinsonians through LinkedIn-Step 2 Go Into the Dickinson Career Community 1. Select Groups from within Interests Click on the Dickinson Career Community group

Contacting Dickinsonians through LinkedIn-Step 3 Contacting Alum Through Group 1 1 Connect when you know the person Send Message when you don’t know the person 2 2

What Should Your Message Say? Clear subject line Briefly say: How you got their name Something about yourself Why you want to talk to them and what you want them to do How they can reach you Thank you Include your name and contact information 23

Sample Dear Ms. Eggers, I am a Dickinson College student interested in social media marketing and found your profile on LinkedIn. I see that you had several internships in social media marketing and presently work for a communications agency. Would you be willing to tell me how you obtained your internships and the job at the agency and give me some advice based on your experience? I would appreciate talking with you in a short phone call or over . I can be reached through LinkedIn or at Thank you for considering my Yours truly, Your name and contact information 24

What if They Don’t Answer? Wait 7 – 10 days Forward them same with note on top Dear Ms. Smith, I’m reaching out again to ask if you would be willing to answer some questions about your career in finance. I realize that you may have been traveling or are very busy at work, but wanted to try again to see if you would be able to help me. Thank you, Your Name 25

Dickinson Career Community Discussions Post should be general and ask for career- related information, advice or referrals. 26

Sample of Appropriate Group Post I’m interested in learning about careers in international education and cultural exchange. Does anyone have a contact at a related organization in the Washington DC area? 27

Group Posting Reminders Don’t just ask for a Job Hello Dickinsonians. I am a recent graduate in Geology. I am looking for jobs in the energy sector (oil, gas). I am also open to Environmental Consulting. If anyone has any connections or contacts I would greatly appreciate it. 28 Hello Dickinsonians. I am a recent graduate in Geology. I am looking for jobs in the energy sector (oil, gas) or in environmental consulting. If anyone has any advice about how to land a first job in those fields, I would greatly appreciate it. But you could say…

Check for Understanding 3 Correct answers are on the next page. 7. If I don’t know an alum, my first LinkedIn outreach should be (choose one) _ Request to Connect _ Send a message directly, from the Dickinson Career Community group 8. Your or phone outreach should include (choose all that apply) _ How you got the person’s name (what is your connection) _ A strong pitch about your talents and experience and request for a job _ What you want them to do (your request) _ A thank you _ Your contact information 9. Which is an appropriate Discussion post in the Dickinson Career Community group on LinkedIn (choose one) _ Looking for a summer internship or job in the Boston area involving finance or marketing. If you know anything, please let me know. _ I am actively seeking a job in public relations or event planning in the NYC area. If anyone has any advice on how to break into this industry, I would appreciate talking with you. 29

Answers to Check for Understanding 3 7. If I don’t know an alum, my first LinkedIn outreach should be _ Request to Connect ✓ Send a message directly, from the Dickinson Career Community group 8. Your or phone outreach should include ✓ How you got the person’s name (what is your connection) _ A strong pitch about your talents and experience and request for a job ✓ What you want them to do (your request) ✓ A thank you ✓ Your contact information 9. Which is an appropriate Discussion post in the Dickinson Career Community group on LinkedIn _ Looking for a summer internship or job in the Boston area involving finance or marketing. If you know anything, please let me know. ✓ I am actively seeking a job in public relations or event planning in the NYC area. If anyone has any advice on how to break into this industry, I would appreciate talking with you. 30

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