Graduate Student Professional Development

Rebecca Cody, Senior Assistant Director

Brainstorm: what networking is and what it isn’t

Assessing your network (who is in it?)

Building your network

Talking to people

Working your network

Managing your network

Networking breakers

Questions and Answers

Asking someone to do you a favor

Sneaky or dishonest, all about schmoozing, mingling

or cold calling

A one-way sales-pitch

A one-time conversation with no follow-up

Just a strategy for extroverts

The exchange of information or services among

individuals, groups, or institutions

Being friendly and showing interest in people

Establishing and cultivating personal relationships

Meeting people for the mutually beneficial purposes

of building your contacts and being known by

potential employers and buyers

An strategy that extroverts and introverts can master

Classmates

Co-workers

Teachers, staff,

administrators

People who provide and/or sell you services: mechanic,

landlord, hair stylist, insurance agent

Parents, relatives

Club or church

members

Structured networks

Write out a list of 20-40

people you know.

Don’t rule anyone out!

Greek organizations

Academic honor or interest societies

Social networks (LinkedIn especially)

Professional associations –

many have graduate

student membership rates

Write your profile with great care (for some of your

contacts, this will be their first impression of you).

Make sure all relevant information is provided:

Employment status, industry, goals, work history,

affiliations, interests, professional photo

Make your connections visible to others.

Join of form groups of people with whom you have

something in common.

Take advantage of search features that allow you to

locate people by company, industry, and location.

Ask your contacts before attempting to reach theirs.

One of the challenges of joining networks is deciding

which groups to join will be the most valuable to you.

What is the group’s mission?

What’s the size of the membership? What kinds of

professionals join?

What professional development opportunities does the

group provide?

Does the group have a professional journal and/or other

publications for members?

Does the group host a job board?

National Trade and Professional Associations of the US

Institute of Management Consultants (example listing)

Members are individual management consultants

2800 members

$75 annual student membership v. $150-$300 regular

Membership directory, Journal of Management Consultants

provided with membership

Information on annual meeting/conference

Ask faculty/mentors for their recommendations on groups

that are most beneficial in your field.

Make eye contact

Smile

Shake hands

Introduce yourself with your name and a brief

statement about your professional goals – concisely

enough to complete the exchange while on an elevator.

“Hi, my name is ... I’m studying … at UNC Charlotte.

This summer I’m looking for an internship with … I’m

taking a class in … to develop my … skills …”

I am a new member of ABC organization.

Have you been a member long?

What have you enjoyed most about your membership?

I hear the speaker for today is an expert on the topic.

Have you heard Mr. Last Name speak before?

This is my first time attending a XYZ meeting.

Have you attended meetings before?

At social functions, look for others who are also standing

alone – they may be relieved when you start a conversation.

Focus on conversation starters that connect the two of you.

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A business, quasi-business, or social situation in which

you have opportunities to develop valuable contacts

Before you attend, determine what you want to

accomplish and make sure the event is the place to

accomplish it:

To gain visibility?

To meet someone in particular?

To learn something?

Is there a time set aside for networking?

Charlotte Business and Networking (eventful.com)

Charlotte Chamber of Commerce

Charlotte Business Journal

University Career Center Online Events Calendar

Campus Events Calendar

1. Contact the 20-40 people you identified earlier by

phone or e-mail over a 4-week period. Begin with

the people you know best!

2. Explain your objective.

3. Ask if they can help identify potential openings or

other people you should contact.

4. Repeat with additional contacts suggested by the

original 20-40 people contacted.

Dress professionally

Research registered attendees

of interest

Prioritize your contacts and visit

their tables first

Distribute your resume and/or

business card

Always follow up!

If you create a business card, include:

Identification, 2 ways to make contact (but not a personal

address), position desired

BRIEF statement of education and training, length of

experience, job-related skills, performance, and/or results

Use 2 separate pockets at events

Don’t exchange immediately!

Farr, M. (2002). Seven Steps to Getting a Job Fast. Jist

Works.

Provides an opportunity to meet people working in

your chosen career field. Also can help you

Learn valuable information about the positions of interest

within the company.

Make a good first impression.

Know or have an idea of what you hope to do once

you have completed your degree.

Interview in person or by telephone

People employed with companies or interest, people

employed in the type of job that interests you, or

SOMETIMES hiring managers.

What do you do and how do you do it?

What do you like about working here?

How do people get hired here?

What types of opportunities exist here?

What do you enjoy most about this work?

What is most challenging?

What are the skills and qualities that make a person

successful in this line of work?

What is the best piece of advice you can give me?

What relevant groups in town do you know of?

Who else would you suggest that I talk to?

Takes initiative on your part for keeping in touch /

staying connected on a regular basis

Requires expressing appreciation

Means that you give back

Stay connected through

Occasional e-mails or brief phone calls

Lunch/coffee get-togethers

LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter status updates

News article links of mutual interest?

Reconnecting at professional events

Volunteer with on-site registration for an event

Serve on a committee

Hold an office

Present/participate in a

poster session at a

professional conference

Be empowering, not demanding.

Demanding: I need you to give me …

Empowering: I am looking for … and thought you might …

Be straightforward, not hesitant.

Hesitant: I know you’re busy and may not have time, and I

don’t want to bother you, but …

Straightforward: I would like your assistance if possible.

Any amount of time you can give me will be appreciated.

Be specific, not too broad.

Too broad: I am looking for a job. Who can you

recommend that I talk to?

Specific: I am looking for an opportunity with a …

company the can use my knowledge of … Who do you

know who …

Fisher, D. (2000). Power networking: 59 secrets to

personal and professional success. Bard Press.

The Networking Survival Guide, Diane Darling

Make Your Contacts Count, Anne Baber & Lynn

Waymon

A Foot in the Door, Katharine Hansen

The Fine Art of Small Talk, Debra Fine

How to Talk to Anyone, Leil Lowndes

Connecting with Success, Kathleen Barton

Seven Days to Online Networking, Ellen Sautter &

Diane Crompton

YOU

Individual Career Advising

Mock Interviews/OptimalInterview Software

NinerJobNet Database (jobs, internships, co-ops,

resume referral)

Experiential Learning

Resume Assistance and Critiques/OptimalResume

Job Fairs (Public Service Career Fair Oct. 5)

Career Resource Library

Career Workshops

FOLLOW US on Facebook and Twitter

Fall and Spring

MWRF: 8am-5pm, Tuesdays: 8am-6pm

Summer

M-F: 8am-5pm

Drop-in Hours (no appointment needed)

MTF: 10am-2pm, Tuesdays: 5-6pm, WR: 11:30am-3:30pm

150 Atkins www.career.uncc.edu 704.687.2231