Mentor@SU > Mentor Tips

NETWORKING SUccess

Tips from Alumni

We asked SU Mentors for some tips on networking. Here are some excerpts from what they offered:

Remind students that whomever they meet (from receptionist to CEO) is a future contact. To get names wherever they interview - and most of all, to remember that the "people you meet on the way up, are the people you need on the way down." In other words, get business cards and be kind to everyone. One more thing: because people switch jobs so often, they'll need to stay in frequent touch with those contacts.

                                                                   Principal, Anders Advertising

(offered in Winter 2009) During this down economic period , some students might consider a period of service.  These service opportunities allow for personal growth, a chance to give back, and network etc.  Examples include: Teach for America, military service, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps and other non-profits.

                                                                   Lieutenant Colonel
                                                                   U.S. Army Cadet Command

…recommend(ing) that SU students build their network and a great place to start is on LinkedIn.  If students have not already built a profile online, including their relevant work/internship experience and recommendations from folks to include in their profile, they should start now.  LinkedIn is a great resource to make connections, network, learn of open positions, etc.

                                                                   Sr. Recruiter, Eastern US
                                                                   Starbucks Coffee Company

The advice that works for the executives I coach is: focus on how you can help the other person, not what you can get out of them. Whether it's advice on personal interests or contacts for others, helping the other person first builds strong relationships with people who are willing to help in return. Check out Keith Ferrazzi's book, Never Eat Alone for great tips.   Another great networking book is Jeffrey Gitomer's Little Black Book of Connections.

                                                                   Founder & Managing Director
                                                Leadership Development Resources, LLC

I think it’s important that people understand that networking doesn’t equal asking for a job.  I find it more with undergrads, but when someone is only talking to a person just to make it to the end of the conversation and hand you a resume, it comes off as rude to me.  I’ve always found that the best networking is to find out how people got where they are, ask them if they have any suggestions or if you could talk to them more later.  If you mention that you’re looking for something or what you’re interested in, and if they have job openings or know of something, they’ll let you know.  Less is more.  And it’s not always about getting a job right now.  I met someone from my company and just chatted and took their card and then two years later when I saw a job opening was able to reconnect with them.  Networking isn’t interviewing, it’s just building a group of friends that you can call on later.
                                                                            
Asst. Brand Manager
Tiffany & Co.

1.  Be Yourself
2.  Be Truly Interested in the People you are Meeting
3.  Don’t Simply Try to Sell Yourself
4.  Goal is to Build Relationships
5.  Have Fun
                                                                             Managing Partner
                                                                             General Counsel, PC

1.  Research the person you are calling or meeting before making contact. Know which industry they work in, their title and areas of expertise if possible.
2. Treat each call or meeting as if it were an interview.
3. You are trying to come away with usable information from each contact. Ask for it! Know what you are looking for.
4. Based on #1, have a list of direct questions prepared before making contact. Example - if you will be calling an alum who is in marketing you may want to ask if they know of specific marketing and advertising companies they know of that are growing or have openings in the xxxx area. Also, ask if they know of other people who have xxxx kind of background who might be helpful.
5. Offer to help your networker - it is a two way street. A question like, "Is there anything I can do for you?" is always appreciated.

If you are not sure what exactly you are looking for still keep your questions pointed. Networkers need a direction to help you. If you ask for any job you most likely will have little success.
                                                         
                                                          Principal
                                                          Attorney Search Consultants, LLC

First and foremost, turn them on to LinkedIn. This is a great resource for that initial contact. In addition, strongly encourage these students to take a look at their social networking web sites like My Space and Facebook. Potential employers do look at these sites. A web presence is great to have, you just never know who will be looking at it. Encourage the students to seek out networks with common interests and make the time to attend gatherings as much as possible. The more your name and face are out there, the better. The students need to have an awareness of demonstrating maturity and saviness. They are no longer competing with other graduates for jobs, but seasoned industry professionals who have lost their jobs in these difficult economic times.
                                                                            Retail Executive

Make eye contact
Give a FIRM handshake (Ladies, it is not just for men)
If you get a business card, follow-up within the next 48 hours! (Do not let business cards collect dust.)
Ask if you can intern for them (If the contact works in an industry you are interested in)

President, Chief Strategist
Precision Plus Communications, Inc.

One key thing is to encourage your students to pick up the phone. Emailing doesn't offer the personal connection that a personal conversation would.

                                                                   L&D Business Partner
                                                                   Hewlett Packard

…focus on the person you are talking to whether it’s a cold call or someone you meet in a social setting.  Ask them what they do and how did they end up in that field, it’s a surefire ice breaker and a natural lead-in to get them to inquire about what your own goals and aspirations are.

Independent Capital Markets Professional

Particularly for students and new grads, I am a strong advocate of volunteering.  Booker T. Washington said, “If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.”  Volunteering, or providing service, is a great way to test an area that one might be interested in.  There are areas that have been adversely affected by the economy including nonprofits, foundations, government, healthcare, etc. that could really use assistance.  Volunteering also provides a venue in which one can network. 

One tip that I can also share is to write notes by snail mail.  We are so accustomed to sending notes by email.  Receiving a letter by snail mail is actually quite special now.  The letter should not be long and should be heartfelt and follow up with a phone call.

                                                          CEO at A.E. Feldman & Associates, Inc.
                                                          Executive Search and Recruiting Firm

- Hopefully this one is obvious: contact them via their preferred method of communication and ask if they would mind answering a few questions...and set up the appointment according to their convenience. 

- Do your research. Know the background of the company you are reaching out to, and also try to google the person you will speak to. In these Internet-friendly days, there's no excuse for being clueless about the people and organizations you are talking to. 

- Before your appt, make a list of basic questions you want to ask the person you're networking with. Don't expect to have him/her answer 25 involved questions--at least not in one session. These people are busy, and totally want to help, but don't always have an hour to talk to you. Expect them to answer 3-5 questions, and as you're talking, you'll get a sense of whether you can ask them follow-up questions that stem from the original questions you wrote down. 

- Take notes. There's nothing more annoying, for an alum being contacted for networking, than being contacted AGAIN later and being asked the same questions by the same person. 

- Try to nix the questions about housing when doing basic career networking on the phone. That's usually something best left to a quick follow-up e-mail to the alum once you've made initial contact. 

- RELAX. Remember--these people want to help you, or they wouldn't have agreed to talk to you. At the same time, though, sound professional and interested in the information being imparted to you, or you'll come across as flaky.

- SEND A THANK-YOU NOTE. Not a thank-you e-mail. Not a thank-you text. Not a thank you Facebook message. A written, snail-mailed, thank-you note. 

                                                          Development & Production Executive
                                                          The Ladd Company

I would recommend that students read "Never Eat Alone" by Keith Ferrazzi. Students will learn about networking and about being a resource to others.  He also provides periodic tips and other useful information through email blasts. There is no fee for this useful feature.

                                                                    Financial Advisor
                                                                   Stifel Nicolaus