Networking Collection
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The document provides guidance on professional networking from the Duke Career Center. It discusses that networking is an important tool for finding internships, jobs, and other opportunities. The document offers 13 steps for effective networking, including knowing yourself, making a list of current relationships, doing research on contacts, drafting an introduction, following up, maintaining connections, and being patient. Networking worksheets are also included to help students identify their network and prepare for networking conversations.
Networking Collection
- 1. Career Center Duke Career Center • studentaffairs.duke.edu/career • 919-660-1050 • Bay 5, Smith Warehouse, 2nd Floor • 114 S. Buchanan Blvd., Box 90950, Durham, NC 27708 Networking Collection Index Professional Networking Networking is Key Networking Worksheet
- 2. Search Strategically Professional Networking Intentional, sustained and effective networking is the most powerful tool you will use when searching for interesting internships, jobs and other experiences. Believe it or not, networking is something you already do, and it’s likely that you do it well! Think about your first weeks on campus, meeting fellow students and exchanging information related to your discoveries about Duke life like bus routes, where to eat, interesting activities and great professors.​ By sharing information and asking around when you wanted to learn something new, you figured things out more quickly than if you had tried to go it alone. Beyond information, perhaps you introduced your math-whiz roommate to your calculus-confused friend for some informal tutoring. Exchanging useful information while seeking and creating helpful introductions are the essence of networking. Why Network? Authentically and strategically connecting with people enables you to: • Gain insider knowledge and insight into the career field, industry or organization and the day- to-day experiences, career paths, terminology, organizational culture, reliable sources of industry information and more. • Build self-confidence and gain personal clarity by speaking about yourself, career interests and future goals. • Expand the number of people you know who are doing things you’re curious about. • Learn about opportunities, sometimes before they are publicized. (Note: networking is NOT the same as asking for a job.) • Refine your goals, make well-informed decisions in your search and make a positive impression on employers and those who are evaluating your candidacy. How Do I Network? (The Basics) Even after years of practice, introducing yourself to someone new can feel risky, but most of us learn that it is worth it. Students commonly say that their level of nervousness far exceeded the actual task, and once started, the conversations are often fun! Everyone starts as a beginner and with practice comes improvement. Feel free to tell people that this is new for you and that one of the things you’re seeking their insight about is effective networking and how it has played a role in their job searches or career path! It’s okay. Duke Career Center • studentaffairs.duke.edu/career • 919-660-1050 • Bay 5, Smith Warehouse, 2nd Floor • 114 S. Buchanan Blvd., Box 90950, Durham, NC 27708
- 3. 13 Steps to Get Started Suggestions for effective networking: 1. Know yourself. Be prepared to talk about yourself to launch the conversation. However, it’s critical to remember that this isn’t a hiring conversation and you’re not trying to be persuasive or make a pitch that you’re a viable job candidate. To be successful in a networking conversation, consider this prompt: What are you trying to learn or clarify right now and why do you imagine that this person may have insights that will help you? 2. Make a list of your current relationships. Remind yourself that there are lots of people that you’ve connected to over the course of your life by creating a list. Include categories like summer camp, coaches and teammates, coworkers, etc., or people by name. You may want to create a LinkedIn.com account and link to people as you think of them. 3. Do not discount ANYONE. By definition, your “network” continues beyond who you know, and includes extended relationships or shared affiliations, too. 4. Create a plan. You might feel most comfortable if you think about why you’re reaching out to people and in what order you want to have these conversations. You might want to start with people who seek to have the closest connections to your interest area. Alternatively, you may want to reach out to those you feel most comfortable with. Either way will work, as long as you’re prepared to follow through on the plan. 5. Do your homework. Learn a little bit about each person you contact and prepare questions that are specific to their experiences. Perhaps you want to know more about their profession, current projects, company, motivations for career choices or how different experiences have connected together. Use the power of the internet to your advantage. 6. Draft and practice. Your opening communications, whether by email, phone or in person, always set the tone for the rest of the interaction. Be thoughtful about how you introduce yourself and how you articulate what you’re hoping to learn from them. A little specificity can go a long way. 7. Make your move. Networking exists to create a human connection, so you’re always aspiring to an in-person conversation. As you might imagine, video chat, phone or email could be less effective, with email or any typed communication least likely to move you toward your goal. In most cases, it makes sense to begin with an email and move to another mode as quickly as you can. 8. Follow up. Contact them again after a week if you receive no response. You can say that talking to them is important enough to you that you wanted to give a second attempt. Keep a positive tone and be sure that they are aware that this is an individualized request, with their specific knowledge and experiences in mind. 9. Set the tone. Know and explain why you are meeting and what you hope to learn in today’s conversation. You won’t be able to get to all topics, but here are a few to consider: industry information, career exploration and decisions, job search advice, and how to keep up with professional news. Keep in mind that you are NOT asking for a job or internship, but questions like, “I’m interested in your company’s internships. Do you have advice for learning more about them or submitting a strong application?” or “I’m very interested in a job in your department. Do you have any advice I should consider when I’m applying?” can be very helpful and appropriate. 10. Ask for referrals. One of the best questions you can ask in any networking conversation is, “Based on some of the things we talked about today, do you have suggestions for others I might contact to learn more?”. 11. Send a thank-you note. Do this within 48 hours and an email is ok. Before you write, identify one or two things that were particularly memorable about the conversation. Include a short reference to these things in the note. It’s okay to reference something fun or personal, it doesn’t have to be only “business”. 12. Maintain connections. You have an opportunity to sustain the relationship with every person you meet and can do so with a simple action. Take the advice you are given. Do something they recommend and write a short update on your progress, even if it isn’t a rousing success. Repeat this as many times as you can! People share insights for a reason, and will generally appreciate hearing that it was something that made an impact on you. If you follow through and tell them that they inspired action, it’s an opportunity for you to show that their time spent with you was meaningful. Even more, if you’d like to have a future conversation, they’ll be more motivated to help because they’ve seen that time with you is well spent! 13. Be patient. Like planting seeds in a garden, the results of networking often show over time. Never stop networking. Duke Career Center • studentaffairs.duke.edu/career • 919-660-1050 • Bay 5, Smith Warehouse, 2nd Floor • 114 S. Buchanan Blvd., Box 90950, Durham, NC 27708 Professional Networking, cont.
- 4. Networking is Key To successfully navigate the job search, you must utilize the people that you know! Networking allows you to learn about different industries and current openings, helps you make contacts at companies, and enables you to gain the “inside scoop.” While obtaining a job or internship is the goal, effective networking does not solely consist of asking someone to help you find a job. You must inform your contacts about your career interests and goals before they can help you. Before you can start networking you must identify your network. Step 1: Personal Connections Relatives and Friends: Academic Contacts (Professors, Administration): Former Employers (Part-Time Jobs, Internships): Campus Organizations and Community Involvement (Clubs, Sports, Volunteer Work): Networking Events (Career Fairs, TechConnect): Professional Associations: Step 2: Virtual Connections DukeConnect: LinkedIn (1st, 2nd, 3rd, Group): Duke Alumni Association: Facebook: Twitter: Step 3: Connections of Connections Who do your connections know? Duke Career Center • studentaffairs.duke.edu/career • 919-660-1050 • Bay 5, Smith Warehouse, 2nd Floor • 114 S. Buchanan Blvd., Box 90950, Durham, NC 27708
- 5. Duke Career Center • studentaffairs.duke.edu/career • 919-660-1050 • Bay 5, Smith Warehouse, 2nd Floor • 114 S. Buchanan Blvd., Box 90950, Durham, NC 27708 Action Steps In order to apply what I have learned in this workshop, I will: Prepare and Practice • Create and Consider your introduction for different contexts • Seek out opportunities to practice (e.g., networking events) Expand Network • Access Alumni and Professional Networks (utilizing tools such as LinkedIn and DukeConnect) • Join and Get involved in Professional Associations Nurture Network: Establish • Timeframe • Activity Individual Action Steps Networking is Key, cont.
- 6. Networking Worksheet Tell Your Story: An important part of networking is being able to carry on a conversation which often involves sharing information about yourself in addition to listening. You need to know how to tell your story. To begin the process of determining your story, write down eight things about yourself. Think broadly about your experience and remember that what you consider average about yourself could be interesting to someone else. Setting What do you want to share about yourself? Use information from what you wrote above to determine what your story would be in this setting. Ask Informed Questions At a professional conference I saw you were in the last session on Topic A. What were your thoughts around Topic A? At the Duke Career Fair I reviewed your position description for the Data Analyst Intern this summer and am excited about applying for the opportunity. Can you tell me about the ways interns have contributed in the past with their summer projects? Waiting in line for a Duke basketball game I see that your shirt says _______. Were you involved in planning the event, or did you attend? At a networking event sponsored by a local organization How did you become involved with this organization? What brought you to this area? Duke Career Center • studentaffairs.duke.edu/career • 919-660-1050 • Bay 5, Smith Warehouse, 2nd Floor • 114 S. Buchanan Blvd., Box 90950, Durham, NC 27708
- 7. Duke Career Center • studentaffairs.duke.edu/career • 919-660-1050 • Bay 5, Smith Warehouse, 2nd Floor • 114 S. Buchanan Blvd., Box 90950, Durham, NC 27708 Networking Worksheet, cont.
- 8. Additional Documents Cover Letter Curriculum Vitae Internships Interviewing Job Search Networking Resume Additional Resources Career Center Skills Guides Cover Letter Skills Guide Curriculum Vitae Skills Guide Internships Skills Guide Interviewing Skills Guide Networking Skills Guide Resume Skills Guide Strategic Search Skills Guide Duke Career Center • studentaffairs.duke.edu/career • 919-660-1050 • Bay 5, Smith Warehouse, 2nd Floor • 114 S. Buchanan Blvd., Box 90950, Durham, NC 27708