Networking
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⇒Networking
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Networking is the ordered development and cultivation of contacts and
relationships to advance your job search objectives, choose a major,
learn about occupational trends and outlook, gain exposure in the job
market, and expand your network to gain more sources of information,
more exposure and more referrals.
Types of networks
Personal
Family, friends, and others who know you on a personal level
Professional
People who know the quality of work you do— former employers from a
job, internship or volunteer work; or U-M professors and staff
Organizational
People from groups you are involved in, such as professional organizations.
Other
Person sitting next to you on plane, intramural teammate, person at the gym, people who know you socially
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How do you network?
-
Conduct a self-assessment so that you are able to articulate what you
are all about and describe yourself to the contact. Think about your
experience, skills, roles, other assets.
- Determine who to contact by thinking about the types of networks and making a list of all of those people.
-
Identify prospective resources to build upon your contact list. Think
about alumni events, meetings, special events, career fairs,
conferences, professional associations, casual conversations and
others.
- Plan and research. Be sure to think about who you want to talk to about what. What is the goal of each conversation?
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Use proper etiquette
Phone
Be prepared to tell the person what you are seeking. Ask them for 20
minutes to learn about their job or to ask them questions about job
hunting. Remember to ask if this is a good time to talk and if they say
no, schedule a time for a phone conversation. Follow up with a letter
reminding them who you are and thanking them for their time.
Letter
Remember to explain clearly what you are looking for from them.
Indicate that you will follow with a phone call. Call when you say you
will.
The Meeting or Actual Conversation
Do research and be ready with a list of questions. Always think about
your own objective. Be on time and speak with confidence. Remember you
should be doing the work. This is not an interview. You should ask the
questions and make all of the arrangements.
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Additional Tips
Keep your network active. Update them on what you are doing from time
to time. Continue to network no matter what your job status. Share
industry news with those in your network and field. If you read an
interesting article, share it with them. Keep good records and don't
become a nuisance. And finally, provide assistance to others in the
future. Remember that networking is a two-way street.
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