NETWORKINGIt’s Who You Know and Who Knows You

UNCP Career CenterChavis University Center, Suite 210

521-6270 career@uncp.eduwww.uncp.edu/career

Workshop Overview

Questions…• Who?• What?• When?• Where?• Why?• How?

What?

Definitions of Networking:Strategic

Serendipity

What? Cont’d

Strategic• Compile a List• State Your Purpose/Goals• Expand Network and Prepare• Arrange Meetings• Ask Questions• Follow up and Continue

Relationships

What? Cont’d

SerendipityYou can’t predict when you will meet someone that you will begin a relationship with, so be prepared for the opportunity!

“It's better to be prepared for an opportunity and not have one, than to have an opportunity and not be prepared."

-Les Brown

Why?

• Networking is THE #1 way to find a job!• 75% to 95% of all jobs go unadvertised• 48% of newly hired employees found

their jobs from referrals from friends and relatives (through networking)

• 80% of all current employees found their jobs through networking

• Networking is successful 2/3 of the time

Who?Members of professional

organizationsPast or present co-

workersFamilyClose friends/roommatesHigh school friendsChurch membersFellow volunteersNeighborsYour mentorTeammates

Anyone who can…Give you advice,

information or referrals to additional contacts

Tell you about specific job openings in their own companies

Introduce you to people with hiring power

Hire you immediatelyHire you sometime in the

future

When?

Always!• Before you leave

school or your current job

• During your job search

• After accepting a new job

Where?• Gym/Health Club • Job Fairs• Internships/Summer

Jobs• Professional

Organizations• Volunteer

Organizations• Religious Community• Golf Course• Basketball Court• Airplanes• Weddings• Campus Groups

• Chamber of Commerce• Cocktail Parties• Cruises• Conferences• Book Clubs• Alumni Association• Online Discussion

Groups/Chat Rooms• Wine Tastings• Waiting Rooms• Coffee Shops• Family Reunions

How?

• In person (lunches, meetings, conferences, informational interviews)

• Social and Networking Web sites

• Phone (including cold calls)

• Mail• Email

Networking for the Shy• Start where you know other people and with

those you’ve been referred to by family/friends• Start by writing or emailing before calling• Have friends/family give a heads-up• Do your research & keep up with current events• Plan out what you will say• Ask yourself, “What’s the worst thing that could

happen?”• Set goals• Just do it!• Celebrate your successes

Informational Interviewing• Purpose of

Informational Interviewing

• How to find interview opportunities

• Treat it as any job interview

• Questions to ask

Networking Etiquette

• Know your purpose for networking• Do your homework/research• Don’t act desperate• Remember it’s a two-way street• Listen• Respect your contact’s time• Get permission• Talk about what you have to contribute,

not what you want• Don’t be pushy or aggressive

Networking Tips

• Open yourself up to unexpected opportunities

• Create your own business card• Bring a pen• Hold your glass in your left hand• Place your nametag on right side• Develop your own “mini commercial” of

yourself.• Start your own networking club

Don’t forget to…

• …Follow up• …Show your

appreciation• …Get organized• …Continue to

expand your network

THE CAREER CENTERCoaching Resources Networking

career@uncp.edu 521-6270 www.uncp.edu/career

Sources

• Hansen, Katharine. A Foot in the Door: Networking Your Way into the Hidden Job Market! Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press. 2000

• Darling, Diane. The Networking Survival Guide-Get the Success You Want by Tapping into the People You Know New York, NY: McGraw Hill. 2003