7.3 Networking

For many of us, just thinking about networking can make us break out into a cold sweat. However, networking is the simple act of exchanging information, specifically for the purpose of cultivating productive, organic, and lasting relationships. When you develop and maintain strong and productive relationships across many different facets of your life, you increase your chances of those relationships positively impacting your career goals. It is important to recognize that engaging in networking opportunities will not lead to results overnight; it is a long-term strategy that will allow you to build a strong community of individuals and professionals that, when accessed properly, can support you in your career development journey.

When you learn how to network effectively, you bypass the internet job application gatekeepers and increase your chances of getting interviewed. It’s about leveraging the connections you already have, who can confidently attest to your past performance and future potential. Furthermore, it’s also about putting yourself out there and using your connections to expand your networks. Even though we know that networking is a necessary component of uncovering the hidden job market, many of us still find it uncomfortable and question whether what we are doing is right. Next, you will learn how to prepare yourself for both planned and unplanned networking interactions, as well as identify many different networking activities that you can incorporate into your overall job search strategy.

Tap Into Your Personal Networks

There is no better place to start than with the people in your life that already know you. Develop a broad list of contacts, including family, friends, neighbours, classmates, professors, current and previous coworkers and managers, and people you have met through various extracurricular, social, religious, and business activities. After you’ve developed your list, spend time talking to the people in your network and inform them that you are looking for work and let them know what kind of work you are looking for. Organize your network contacts and communicate regularly about your current needs, so that they can assist you better.

Networking Tips

1. Do your homework.Before attending networking events and job fairs, think about what you would like to achieve out of them. Research organizations or professionals attending and decide which are most appealing to you.
2. Wear interview attire. Remember you are trying to leave a lasting and positive impression on your professional contacts. Help them to visualize the professional that you are, by wearing business or business casual attire. Jeans or athletic wear is not appropriate for this type of setting.
3. Turn your cell phone ringer off.When you’re in the middle of speaking with an employer or industry contact, any interruption can leave a negative impression. Put your device on vibrate and don’t take it out of your pocket until you have left the event.
4. Have a strong introduction.A smile and firm handshake can be effective; however, take your cue on handshaking from the employer. Some people do not shake hands due to cultural norms or illness/flu season. Introduce yourself and be ready with your 30-second elevator pitch. Be specific; outline your education, skills, experience, and the type of job that interests you. Be prepared to let the employer or industry contact know what value you will bring to their organization.
5. Prioritize your interests and take your time.Map out a strategy to visit the industry contacts and employers you are most interested in. Allow yourself enough time to visit with employers at a comfortable pace. Running in and out quickly may not produce the job search results you are looking for.
6. Ask open-ended questions. Ask questions that can be answered with more than just a “yes” or “no”. You are trying to gain as much information as possible, while maintaining a meaningful conversation with the individual. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about their organization and about their industry in general. Ask questions such as: “What is it like to work for your organization?” “What skills do you look for in a potential candidate?” “What is the hiring procedure for your organization?”
7. Bring your resumé.Bring several copies of your most up-to-date resumé with you to a networking event. If you are targeting certain employers or you are aware of a position that is available, tailor your documents accordingly.
8. Always follow up. Ask for business cards and convey that you enjoyed meeting the individual and that you look forward to seeing them again soon. Encourage a future meeting or discussion to further communicate and share ideas or send a customized request on LinkedIn. At this time, you can also provide the individual with your personalized business card as well.
9. Keep an open mind. Think outside the box! Consider all employers as a potential contact, no matter what the industry. You never know where a potential opportunity may come up and who the people that you are talking to might be able to connect you with in the future.
10. Build and maintain relationships. The goal is to meet people and create connections. Meet fewer people but invest more energy in each connection. You cannot expect to gain something from someone you just met. Develop a relationship before you start asking about opportunities and ask how you can help them.

Conduct Informational Interviews

Informational interviewing involves speaking to people who work in the field that you want to learn more about. To be clear, you are not interviewing for a job, you are interviewing to gather more insight about the field you are interested in. This will allow you to make more informed career choices, gather the information necessary to write more effective cover letters and resumés, and be better prepared for future job interviews. Informational interviews can also be a great way to make valuable industry contacts and many people in the workforce are open to sharing information about their careers – especially if it can help someone else map out their own career path. If you leave a good impression, your name may later be passed along to someone else who is in a position to interview you, however, don’t go in expecting this to happen. To leave the best impression possible, you must be prepared and act professionally. Here are some steps to consider before, during, and after your informational interview:

Before the Information Interview

• Conduct research on different companies or individuals and identify who you would like to interview.
• Request an informational interview and explain how you obtained their information.
• Call or send them an e-mail, explaining why you are interested in setting up the interview and what you hope to gain from it, be clear about what you’re requesting, such as more information about a job or profession.
• Begin with a professional salutation, “Dear Ms. Grayson.”
• Briefly introduce yourself, your program or credentials, career interests, and goals.
• If you want to meet them in person or speak by phone, tell them how much time you’ll need, for example, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Confirm the time and location.
• Ask them to recommend other people or sources of information if they can’t speak with you directly.

During the Information Interview

• Similar to an actual interview, arrive early and dress in professional attire.
• Be clear that you only want information; you can discuss your skills and experience, but do not fish for opportunities, let the employer initiate any conversations regarding available opportunities.
• Come prepared by doing some background research on the person you’re interviewing, the organization they work for, and the work they do. Use your list of questions to guide your conversation.
• Have your resumé on hand in case your contact wants to see it.
• Manage your time and respect their time; only take as much time as you’ve scheduled.

Questions you might ask in an Information Interview

Here is a list of potential questions that you can ask the person that you will be meeting with. Questions can vary in topic from advice to information on qualifications, job duties, organizational structure, industry trends, and work culture. Since your meeting is intended to be brief, select around five questions in advance that reflect the information you are most interested in gaining. Keep track of the time in your meeting and use your discretion on how many questions you ask.

• What are your suggestions for someone trying to get a job in this field?
• What are the personal qualities of people who are successful in this field?
• What are the core skills you look for on a resumé?
• What education and training is needed? What kinds of backgrounds do people in this organization have?
• How would you describe a typical week in terms of percentages spent on different duties?
• What do you enjoy most about this position or organization?
• What are some tasks or projects that you are currently working on?
• What skills can I focus on to help me prepare or excel for work in this field/industry/job?
• What would entry-level work involve in this field?
• How does one advance in this field? What does the typical career path look like?
• What advice would you give to someone with my educational/professional background?
• What is the work culture like in your organization/industry?
• Are there any resources, such as websites, industry associations, or organizations that I should use?
• What is the most effective way to stay connected to current events and industry news?
• What kinds of experience, paid or volunteer, would you recommend for someone pursuing a career in this field?
• Can you suggest any other ways to obtain relevant experience?
• Given my background, is there anyone else or any other organizations that you would recommend that I talk to?

After the Information Interview

• Send a thank you letter right away.
• Identify what worked well and what you will change for next time.
• Connect on LinkedIn and reach out to your contact and let them know how they assisted you.

“6.6 Networking” and “6.7 Tap into your personal and professional networks” from Working in Play: Planning for a Career in the Recreation and Leisure Industry in Canada by Linda Whitehead, BA, M Ed, MBA is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.