Northwestern University
University Career Services
Networking Net
What is Networking? Networking is an integral and ongoing part of career development. Networking involves talking with people in your field of interest to explore career options, gather information, and understand how to market yourself to potential employers. Networking is one of the most effective ways to build your career and keep up with developments in your field. Before the Meeting
Define your goals for the meeting. Some sample goals: To acquire information about work responsibilities, trends, educational and entry requirements (also called an informational interview) To target a specific position within a company To find out how to get an internship or job in a specific industry To find out who else you can talk to in a specific industry/company To “get to know” people in an industry as potential contacts Identify your network. Start with who you know: family, friends, faculty, advisors, students, and previous supervisors are just some of the contacts to begin with! NU resources are listed below Have your resume prepared Prepare a list of potential questions to ask (guided by goals) Making the Initial Contact
Initial contact can be by phone or email Introduce yourself Tell the contact how you got their information and your relationship to that person Identify the purpose of your call:
“Mr. Potter, my name is Patty Swanson and your cousin Lucy Gates is my roommate here at NU. She thought it would be beneficial for us to meet. I am currently a sophomore and I am very interested in advertising. I would love to talk to you for anywhere between 10-30 minutes to find out more about your job and how I might access opportunities in advertising. Would it be possible to University Career Services Main Location: 620 Lincoln Street Career Lab: Main Library, Core Reserves, 2nd Flr Phone: 847-491-3700 www.northwestern.edu/careers
meet with you sometime within the 2 weeks at your convenience?” During the Meeting
Dress professionally Give your 30 second “story.” Your story is a brief summary of your strengths and career goals:
“I’m John Scott. I am currently double majoring in Economics and Political Science. I have been involved in a faculty research project this year. I would like to find a summer internship in economic consulting, where I can use my quantitative, research, and leadership skills, as well as learn if economic consulting is a good fit for me”.
Guide the flow of conversation by using your goals and questions Ask for referrals to other people in the field Listen and take notes Don’t ask for an internship/job Make sure you say thank you! Ask for a business card After the Meeting
Process: write down your thoughts, feelings, reactions to what you learned Follow up with a thank you email immediately and a letter no less than 2 days after your conversation! Maintaining Your Network
Keep them in the loop: be sure to inform your contacts of any developments that happened as a result off your meeting (e.g. job offer, making decisions about your career, gaining other contacts, etc) Reciprocate whenever possible (e.g., pass on information that may be useful to the contact, serve as a reference for that contact, etc.) NU Networking Resources
Kellogg Mentors Program: Current Kellogg students who act as career mentors. Come to UCS (620 Lincoln St) to sign-up and find mentors. Facebook: facebook.com/northwesternUCS Twitter: twitter.com/northwesternUCS LinkedIn: linkedin.com/groupRegistration?gid=1926036 Blog: northwesternuniversitycareerservices.wordpress.com
Northwestern Externship Program (NEXT): In January the NU Alumni Association & UCS coordinate a program allowing students to shadow and network with alumni March-April throughout the US and internationally. Northwestern Alumni Association CareerNet: Database of Alumni in all fields and geographic areas. Search by industry, geographic location, and degree. https://www.nwuconnection.com/
Northwestern Alumni Local Clubs: Consider contacting alumni chapters or clubs in the city you are seeking to relocate to for a job or internship. http://www.alumni.northwestern.edu/clubs LinkedIn: A popular professional networking website. The NU Alumni Association, UCS, and specific companies have linked in groups. Register for LinkedIn and request to join under “Groups�. www.linkedin.com