Job Search

Networking has been consistently demonstrated as the most effective job search strategy, so why are so many people reluctant to network?

Getting Comfortable with Networking

Networking is about  creating and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships with others, particularly those in your fields of interest. As a general rule, the larger your network, the more effective your job search is likely to be. 

Commonly cited barriers to effective networking

Sheer Terror! I am much too shy/introverted to do this!

  • It helps to remember that networking is not primarily about you. It is about the other person. Skills like listening attentively, asking good questions ,and showing an interest in others are key. And if the idea of making cold calls day after day or attending self-proclaimed “networking events” ranks among your worst nightmares, there is no rule that says you have to network this way. Focus on creating and fostering relationships in ways that work for you, be that community involvement, referrals from friends, or talking with professors.

I don’t like schmoozing/using people – networking seems rude/aggressive to me.

  • Done poorly and with the wrong attitude, networking can indeed come across as aggressive and inconsiderate. Good networking, however, is about seeking out mutually beneficial relationships. Never assume that you can “use” someone and then just move on. Show respect for your contacts’ time by doing your homework prior to any meeting. Do not push someone to do more for you than they are willing. Make sure to show your appreciation by following up with a simple thank you note or email.

I don’t like asking for help or imposing on people – won’t that seem desperate?!

  • Rest assured that anyone you talk to will have received help from someone somewhere along their career path, and they will likely be quite pleased to give back a little. By asking for help you are giving others the opportunity to give and share their knowledge, wisdom and passion for their field. It can be a genuine pleasure to talk about your career path and interests with an eager listener.

Ti​ps

  • Attitude is everything. Neediness, selfishness, and desperation repel others; kindness, generosity and genuine interest in people attract.
  • Instead of focusing on what you need from an interaction, relax and start really listening to the other person. Find out what makes them tick, where their passions lie. Pay attention to what their needs are, and figure out how you might be able to help them. Give first, and give often. The rest will tend to take care of itself.
  • As a job seeker it is natural to feel somewhat vulnerable and powerless at times – consciously remind yourself that you have a lot to offer others, be it your time, enthusiasm, knowledge, contacts, advice, skills or a listening ear.

Remember that good networking is really about being friendly and interested in others, being an active and attentive listener, and treating people with courtesy, respect and generosity. As Zig Ziglar, motivational speaker and author, noted: “You can get everything you want in life, by helping enough other people to get what they want.”

Preparing Your Mini Introduction

As you develop relationships within your target field you will need to introduce yourself to many people and be able to make the most of these opportunities.

In such situations a little preparation goes a long way, especially if talking about yourself and your achievements does not come naturally to you. Start by identifying your strengths as a potential employee: your relevant skills, experiences, achievements, interests and goals. Then think about the organization or industry or individual you are targeting, and consider which factors directly contribute to a good fit between you and them. Thirdly, be clear on what your goals are for the interaction. What are you hoping to learn? Finally you want to try to put all of this together into a mini introduction that might take several possible forms.

a) Sound Bite: An abbreviated introduction best used when time is short, as a lead-in to a telephone conversation for instance. Mention your name, educational background, and the purpose of making the contact.

“Hello. My name is Danielle Ferguson, and I am in a postdoctoral researcher in English literature at Yale. I am currently researching potential career options, and the publishing sector is an area of particular interest to me. I understand you have held many different positions in this field. I am interested in finding out more about your career path. Would it be possible to speak with you sometime this month?”

b) Infomercial: A longer version of a sound bite, more along the lines of a verbal business card. In addition to your name and educational background, mention relevant experience and skills, knowledge of the organization and the information or position you are seeking.

Continue with: “Last year I gained some editing experience at H & R Publishing in Chicago where I especially enjoyed collaborating closely with writers. I would like to continue to gain editing experience but am also interested in finding out more about the marketing side of the publishing business. I know that your company, NewBooks Plus, has recently expanded its marketing operations. Could you tell me more about these developments?”

c) Commercial: The longest version describes your background, qualifications, skills and achievements in more detail and would be used in situations where you are able to have a more extensive conversation with someone.

Continue with: “Over the course of my doctoral degree and since I began my postdoc I have taken numerous business and marketing seminars to complement my research experience. I have a thorough understanding of American literature and writers, with expertise in modern poetry. I would enjoy collaborating with local authors to promote their new works. I have several questions regarding the qualifications and experience necessary to break into the field, and am very interested to hear what you have to say about this.”

Tips

  • The sample scripts are by no means designed to be memorized and blurted out without pause at any opportunity. Rather, they are designed to get you thinking about what you want to communicate in any given situation - use them as a place to start and a way to help structure your thoughts.
  • Your conversation partner will almost certainly have questions and responses to various aspects of your introduction. Prepare for this by thinking about what you might be asked.
  • You are the ultimate expert on yourself. No one can be more informative than you in describing your skills, expertise, and experience. A passionate, confident introduction is what tends to impress.

Questions to Ask at a Networking Event or Information Interview

The keys to a successful information interview are your enthusiasm, preparation, and ability to communicate clearly. Before you go to an interview, think about the type of information that would be helpful to you. 

The following are sample questions. Respect anything your interviewee does not want to talk about. Always remember to thank them for their time and ask if there is anyone else they would recommend you speak with.

Questions about their career path/training

  • How did you get into this field?
  • What has your career path been like to date? Is it representative of most people in this kind of position?
  • What kind of education/training do you have?
  • Are you a member of any professional orders or associations? Which ones do you feel are the most important to belong to?
  • What are the future prospects in this field? What trends do you see developing over the next few years?
  • If you could do things all over again, would you choose the same path for yourself?

Questions about their current position and responsibilities

  • What does a typical day/week in your job look like?
  • What do you enjoy the most about your job? The least?
  • What skills have you found essential for success in this occupation?
  • Could you tell me about one of the main challenges you face in this position?

Questions about working conditions

  • How many hours do you work in a typical week?
  • How much autonomy do you have in terms of what you focus on at work?
  • What kind of supervision did you have when you were starting out? Now?
  • How is your performance evaluated?
  • What kind of professional development opportunities are available?

Additional questions

  • What advice would you have liked to have heard when you were starting out?
  • How would you recommend I “try out” this line of work (i.e. through a summer job, internship, volunteering…)?
  • What other fi lds or jobs would you suggest I research before making a fi al decision?
  • Is there anyone you would recommend I talk to next? When I call them, may I mention that you referred me?

Following Up

You may want to take some notes during the information interview, but do so sparingly, so as not to interrupt the flow of conversation. After the interview, write down all of the main points and pertinent details covered. 

Send a thank-you note or email within 24 hours of the meeting. 

Nurture and maintain your relationships with the people you have interviewed. Keep them informed of your progress and any action you have taken based on their advice. If they referred you to someone who was also helpful or recommended a book, website or professional organization which you subsequently followed up on, let them know that. Once you make a decision about your career path or land the position you were hoping for, inform them of this as well; and thank them for their role in your journey. Remember, good relationship building is reciprocal: if you read an interesting article they might enjoy, forward it on; if you hear about a success they have achieved or an award they have received, send a congratulatory note.

Re: Meeting Last Week

Dear Mrs. Newman,

Thank you so much for talking with me last week. I really appreciated you taking the time out of your busy schedule to tell me about your fascinating and varied career path and to bring me up to speed on the latest developments in immunotherapy technology. 

I learned a great deal from our discussion, and I also greatly appreciated your referral to your colleague in a new start up, Mr. Johnson. I spoke with him yesterday, and we will be meeting later this week.

I will be sure to keep in touch and let you know how my career plans develop. Thank you again for your time, your enthusiasm, and your suggestions.

Sincerely,

Linda Green