Steps to take when Networking

Networking by definition means to develop contacts and exchange information with other people for purposes of developing business or expanding one's career opportunities.  Networking is tapping into your connections for helpful information or advice.  If done successfully, networking can be the most effective career exploration and job search tool.  Possible networking contacts.

1. Identify what you are looking for - information about a specific position or a particular field of interest. Be able to tell the person what you are looking for.
2. Who are the people that could help you – Identify people who are doing what you want to do - relatives, friends or neighbors who work in the field or could refer you to someone who could help you?  Talk to your professors, past employers, and university administrators to see if they know individuals that you could talk to.
3. What other activities/sports are you involved in – people associated with these activities could be of assistance to you in building your network.
4. What are some other ways to build a network –Ask Career Services about talking with alumni, look for professional organizations related to your field of interest, and check geographic directories (i.e. The Chamber of Commerce).
5. Don’t be afraid to talk to people about your interests, even people you meet for the first time at a social gathering or maybe on a plane/train. You never know what a chance meeting can bring. It’s okay to ask questions such as “What do you do for a living?” or “What line of work are you involved in?”

What Type of Questions to Ask

Now that you have identified the reasons why you are seeking information and who to contact, it’s a good idea to formulate questions. Below are some suggested questions:

• What is your educational and professional background?
• What do you like/dislike about your job and why?
• What types of companies/organizations might employ someone to do this type of work?
• How did you decide to get into the field and what steps did you take to enter the field?
• What should I do to best prepare myself for a job in this field?
• What suggestions do you have for someone wishing to enter this field?
• What skills and background are needed to get into this field?
• What is the salary range for a person in this field?
• What personal qualities do you feel are most important in your work and why?
• What are the tasks you do in a typical workday and could you describe them?
• What types of difficult issues/stress do you experience on the job?
• What are the most significant changes facing your field/organization?
• What are the trends/issues to be aware of in the field?
• What is the job outlook in this field?
• What related occupations might I investigate?
• Is advanced education beneficial in this field?
• Are there professional publications or organizations that I should be familiar?
• Can you recommend additional people for me to talk to?

Always be sure to ask if the person can recommend additional people for you to talk to! This is one of the most important questions and the one that will provide you with further contacts.

"As opposed to asking question after question, treat the interview more like a conversation, it will help to make the experience more relaxing."

While all of these questions are good, don’t be afraid to have a conversation with the person. Tell them about yourself – interests, goals, where you’re from, etc. If, while asking the person a question, they mention something of interest to you or say something that you have in common, feel free to comment about it or inquire further. For example, if the person comments that their work varies from one day to the next, you could say, “I’m glad to hear that there is a lot of variety in your work. I like having different tasks to work on each day.”

Setting Up the Meeting

If you have completed the above steps, you are now ready to set up your networking meetings or informational interviews. Depending on your location and your contact’s location, the interview may have to be conducted over the phone/e-mail as opposed to in person. Just be sure to discuss these options with your contact. If your contact is in New York City and you are here in Villanova but will be in NYC in the next week or two, you can ask if he/she has time to meet then. Below are some guidelines for setting up an informational interview either by phone or mail.

By Phone:

For example: Hello Mr. Kelly my name is _______________and I am a Villanova University Student considering a career in _________. I am calling at the suggestion of (person’s name who referred you). He/she thought you might be a good person from whom to seek some ideas and advice about______________. I was wondering if you would be willing to meet with me for about 20 to 30 minutes for an informational interview so I can learn more about your position as a ____________?

When contacting an individual by phone, be sure to have an idea of what you will say once you have reached the person.

• Have notes in front of you so you don't lose track of what you are going to say.
• Tell the person who you are and why you are calling.
• If someone suggested you contact this person be sure to mention that person’s name.
• Ask if they would be willing to meet for an informational interview.

The person you contact might say they have the time to talk with you at that time and suggest you could speak then. It’s up to you – If you are going to proceed with the interview, make sure you feel confident enough in going ahead with the interview at that time.

By Snail Mail or E-Mail

When sending a letter or e-mail first, both allow you to introduce yourself to the contact and explain why you are writing (See sample A - Letter requesting an Informational Interview).

You can also enclose/attach your resume so that the person can learn a little bit more about you. Sending a letter/e-mail also allows the person some time to consider your request. It is usually best to follow the letter with a phone call about a week or two after the letter is written.

For example: Hello Mr. Kelly. My name is ____________ and I am a student at Villanova University. I am calling to follow up on my recent letter/e-mail requesting about a half hour of your time to learn more about your position as __________. Have you received my letter?

When you contact the person, you can start the call in the following way:

Once they recognize your name, you can proceed with a discussion as to if it is possible to meet and when it might be a good time to do so.