1. Networking Tips and Strategies
Penn State Career Services
Career Planning for Life

2. Networking Definition… Examples of networks…
The art of building alliances that are mutually supported and beneficial to the parties involved
Examples of networks…
Student organization participation
Laboratory groups / project teams
Departmental List Serves, Career Fairs
How students network every day…
Ask for recommendations from friends, peers
Seek information from faculty, advisors, employers, and alumni
Meet new contacts through friends at lunch, class, or Facebook

3. Barriers to Successful Networking
Feel like we’re bothering people
Uncomfortable asking for something (Schmoozing)
Believe that we don’t have a network
Unsure what to say and do
Lack of preparation, practice

4. Keep in Mind… People like to give advice People like to be helpful
You will have an opportunity to provide a networking contact to someone else
Networking opportunities exist every day

5. Networking Involves Establishing Goals
Analyzing the type of help you need in order to reach those goals
Practicing and developing your people and communication skills
A commitment to building and nurturing your network over time

6. Understanding Networking
Networking Goals
Learn Information
Ask for advice
Gather another person’s perspective
Request a referral
Networking Sources
Events, Faculty Members, Employers, Peers, Student & Professional Organizations, Alumni, Friends, Family

7. Preparing to Network Self Reflection Preparing to talk about me
Researching Networking Contacts and Organizations
Connecting Yourself to the Organization
Developing Questions for your Networking Contacts

8. Self Preparation Define networking goals
Identify relevant info about me
Career Interests and Goals
Academic highlights
Major / Specialization (why I chose it)
Projects and Courses
Experience Highlights
Co-Ops and Internships
Learning Factory, Senior Design Projects
Research Opportunities

9. Researching the Contact
Mission of the organization
Products and services
Unique interest (Organizational Culture, Location, Training Programs)
Range of relevant positions
Needs and goals
** Basis for your questions and requests

10. Finding the Common Ground
Connect you to the Organization
Consider what you offer (what makes you stand out)
Experience
Education and Projects
Goals
Leadership (and other) Activities
Personal Qualities
Referrals (from faculty, current employee, alumni)

11. Questions to Ask
Please tell me more about ____ opportunities within ABC.
What type of projects are recently hired Engineering graduates working on?
What advice do you have for me as I pursue…?
What can I share with you about PSU? Mechanical or Nuclear Engineering?
Would you be willing to discuss your experience working at ABC?
What qualities and skills do you seek in candidates for ____ position?

12. How to Network Initiating the Conversation
Welcome, Thank You, Glad you are here
Introducing yourself (Practice)
Nonverbal Communication
Ask for information about the contact.
Connect with the Contact
Listen actively
Give Contact a reason to invest time in you.
Ask your question(s) (Practice)
Offer to share information, resources, or assistance with the contact if applicable (practice)
Close the conversation (Practice)

13. Networking Follow Up THANK your contacts (telephone / email)
Act on suggested action items
Applying for positions
Contacting other individuals
Delivering information
Your follow through will distinguish you from your peers!

14. Networking Record Keeping
Record Networking Contact Information:
Contact Name
Title
Organization
Telephone Number and Address
Content of discussion (Summary)
Future Direction and Plan
Date (range) to follow up

15. Building the Network Consider what you can offer your contacts
Keep contacts informed about relevant opportunities, news items, and progress you make toward your goals
Introduce your contact to new individuals or groups who share a common interest

16. Summary…
Networking is a life-long skill and requires practice and commitment
Networking is a 2-way interaction – remember to ask what you can offer
The audience is eager to meet and learn about you (potentially wants to hire you)
You have valuable skills, experiences, and areas of knowledge to share
This is a starting point, an opportunity to learn, build a foundation to reach goals

17. LET’S NETWORK Matt Ishler Assistant Director, Career Counseling
Career Services
101 Bank of America Career Services Center
University Park, PA 16802
(814)

18. Networking Musts… Believe in yourself Ask questions Be a good listener
Present yourself as knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and prepared
Demonstrate non-verbal communication which emphasizes interest (SMILE)
Show interest in assisting / developing others

19. What Will I Say? May I ask your advice?
Develop a brief (10-second introduction)
Practice a 30-second description of your goals and related experience
Ask questions
Practice, Practice, and Practice

20. Career Services Office
Penn State Berks
10 Perkins Student Center