Experience has shown that informal networking and contact development meetings are a rich source of job leads and information about unpublished job opportunities. Successful networking both traditional and online requires that you have as many meetings as possible to tell your story to as many individuals as possible, so that they realize you are in the job market. Career Days, UE alumni or Rotary mentoring programs, campus professional organizations, career recruiting activities, and special events are excellent ways to meet career professionals and build your network. Family and friends also may be a rich resource of professional contacts.

LinkedIn is a business-oriented social networking site used mainly for professional networking. With over 160 million users and expanded features, it is a powerful tool. LinkedIn allows users to research employee profile information and companies they may be interested in working with.

Reasons to Network

• Meet professionals who work in your career field.
• Gain the maximum amount of exposure.
• Get information about target industries or companies, actual job openings, or employment trends.
• Develop rapport with prospective employers.
• Obtain additional names to enlarge your network.
• Establish new, beneficial connections.

How to Contact Persons in Your Network

By telephone

When calling to schedule an appointment, three points should be covered:

1. Offer a personal introduction.
2. Identify your purpose for seeking an appointment.
3. Arrange a mutually convenient time.

Telephone tips

• Write an outline or script of what you are going to say on the telephone. This will decrease your anxiety and ensure that you will cover all the necessary information. Additionally, you will be perceived as organized and professional.
• If you have problems getting “past the secretary,” call before 9:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m. Chances are, the individual you are trying to reach may be answering his or her own telephone.
• If you call as a result of a referral, state that person’s name early in the conversation.
• Indicate that you need only 20 to 30 minutes of the person’s time – make sure you adhere to this time limit.
• Express the desire for a personal interview as opposed to a telephone conversation.

By letter or email

As with telephoning for an interview, a letter or email requesting an appointment should include a personal introduction and state the purpose for seeking the appointment.

Writing tips

• Type all letters in business format and double check for correct grammar and spelling.
• Always indicate in the concluding paragraph that you will be calling the office on a specific date (usually one week after you mail the letter) to arrange for a convenient appointment time – make sure you adhere to this schedule.
• Maintain an organized file of all letters and keep a contact list of the outcomes of your efforts.

Additional Information

• Points to Ponder about Facebook, MySpace and Online Behavior
  Ten points to keep in mind when you use Facebook, or MySpace, or other online communities.

• Preparing for Employer Networking Events
  Make the most out of an Employment Open House.

• Social Networking Talking Points
  LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Google...Strategies to Leverage Social Media and online networking in your job search

• Professional Image Self Audit
  Download and fill out our Professional Image Self Audit form

• Get Started with LinkedIn
  Join the online social network, LinkedIn

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