Networking/Informational Interviews

1. COMM 202:
Career Fundamentals
T05 & T15 with Samyta Rai

2. Today’s Agenda:
1. TA Feedback Debrief
2. Course Timeline
3. How to Network
4. Informational Interview
5. Action Items

3. TA Feedback Debrief
Continue:
Ø Caring and energetic TA
Ø Playing music in mornings
Ø Fostering comfortable and safe environment
Ø Always quick response to emails
Ø Engaging slides
Ø Weekly reminder emails
Improvements:
Ø Upload slides before tutorial
Ø More 1 on 1 appointments/office hours
Ø More examples for assignments (i.e.
resumes, skills matrix, etc)

4. Course Timeline
Where are we and what’s coming up?
Week 9 (today) Week 10 Week 11
• Tutorial: Event
Networking/Info
Interviews
• What’s due: Resume
and Cover Letter on
October 31st @ 1:59PM
(on Turnitin) and 31st @
11:59PM (on COOL)
• Networking Event: Nov
2nd @ 6-8pm in CPA
HALL
• Tutorial: Networking
Follow Up/Interview
Stream
• What’s due: Networking
Reflection on Nov 7th @
11:5PM on Turnitin
• Lecture: Interview Prep
• What’s due: Have your
Info Interview time and
date confirmed

5. How to Network
2

6. Chance Meetings

7. Facilitated Events

8. VIA Direct Request

9. Why We
Network
• get your foot in the door (faster)
• gain insight about a company, industry, or
career path
• practice your interview and networking skills
• find a potential mentor
• show them who you are beyond your resume
and cover letter

11. Researching
Delegates 1. Check out the delegate info on the course blog
2. Look at the LinkedIn profiles of delegates you’d like to
speak to
• Note any interesting topics
• Hone in on similar experiences or shared groups
• Think about questions to ask
3. During the event, be interested and self aware!

12. What do you
mean ”self
aware”?
• Having conscious knowledge of one’s own character
and feelings
• Treat the delegates the way you would want to be treated
• Put yourself in the shoes of a delegate – how would you
feel if a student came up to you holding your LinkedIn
profile picture?

13. Dress Code

14. Talk About…
“Lurking around the food station is a really good trick.
People will ask you what things are, and you can offer advice
on what’s tasty.”
Compliment them
Talk about food
“People love talking about themselves and people love
compliments. Be genuine though!”
Smile
“Just stand on your own and soak in the environment and
smile at people. You will be a beacon of light for the other
people who don’t know who to talk to.”
Open up the circle
“You might be getting bored with the first 2 people so
make sure you make room for other people to join the
circle party!”

15. Still not sure?
Here are more tips on networking:
http://www.bampowlife.com/blog/2015/7/14/10-
networking-hacks-for-the-terrified-
socialite?rq=networking

16. Ending A Conversation
Thank them for
their time
Ask to connect
after the event
Be polite &
gracious
Leave with a
handshake

17. Follow Up After great conversations, send a personalized email or
LinkedIn request (or maybe an informational interview
request? ☺)
Hi Rachel,
It was so great to get the chance to speak with you at last night’s networking event. I was
really inspired by what you said about “building your personal brand”, and I am looking
forward to putting your advice into practice.
I would love to continue our conversation about your experience at KPMG. I understand
that you are very busy, but it would be great to meet for about 20 minutes. Would you be
available to meet on Monday or Tuesday next week? Coffee is on me!
Thank you,
Sally

18. Networking Event Reflection
• Your paper needs to include:
• Your goals in attending the event
• What is your purpose in going? What do you want to know about Sauder?
• Define SMART goals beforehand – How will you define the success of your
evening?
• How did you prepare for the event (research potential delegates)
• What was it about these people that motivated you wanting to talk to them?
• A brief summary of who you spoke with and what you learned in the
conversations
• A reflection on the lessons you have learned about the networking process
• Next steps you will take to continue building a relationship with your new contact
(if you plan to)
Due on Nov 7th
at 11:59pm on
Turnitin

19. So How Do You Feel Now?

20. Informational Interview
3

21. Steps to
Land an
Info
Interview
1. find 4 or 5 potential contacts
2. research them (google, linkedin) and
reach out to contacts you have in
common
3. decide what you want to talk to them
about and brainstorm questions and
points of commonality
4. send out your invites! Don’t be offended if
they don’t immediately reply

22. Sample Info Interview Requests
Hi Stacy,
My name is Samyta and I am a 3rd year Accounting and Human Resources student at UBC Sauder
School of Business. It was really great meeting you at KPMG’s networking event last Friday.
While I am interested in learning more about KPMG, I also find your experiences being on a
secondment and CPA route very interesting. I am currently working towards obtaining my CPA and
have been interested in going on a secondment.
I am sure you are very busy, but I would love the opportunity to meet with you for 20 minutes to
hear more about your experiences and KPMG. I am available any time on Monday, Wednesday and
Friday this week. Please let me know what time works for you!
Best,
Samyta

23. Sample Info Interview Follow Up
Hi Stacy,
I wanted to thank you again for taking time out of your busy schedule to meet with me yesterday! It
was great chatting with you and learning more about your experiences and KPMG. I especially liked
how you shared the various way’s students can get involved with KPMG, such as Executive Look
Program, Case Competitions, volunteer programs, and more. Not only that, thank you for being
personable and sharing your struggles going through the CPA Recruit. I will definitely follow your
advice that you gave me!
Hope you have a great rest of your week and keep in touch.
Best,
Samyta

24. Informational Interview Assignment
• contact details (name, company, title, phone, email)
• list of questions asked
• major insights gained – what did you learn during your informational interview?
**This is the most important part, should be 40% of final paper**
• did you request/receive any information regarding additional connections?
• follow up action – What will you do to maintain this connection? *Screen shot of
thank you email is required
• what are your next steps having conducted this information interview?
Due on Dec 15th
at 11:59pm on
Turnitin

25. Informational Interview Assignment
15%
• Due Friday, December 15th at 11:59 on Turnitin
• Two page paper
• In-person and NOT a current UBC student/staff/faculty or family
member
• Look at potential questions on the course blog
• More details on blog

26. Action items for next week:
1. Sign up for office hours
2. Resume and Cover Letter due October 31st @
1:59pm on Turnitin and 11:59pm on COOL
3. Networking Event : Thursday, Nov 2nd from 6-8pm
4. Networking Reflection: due Nov 7th @ 11:59 on
Turnitin
5. Tutorial Next Week!

27. 1. Email: comm202.7@sauder.ubc.ca
2. Tutorials: Approach me before or after tutorial
3. Office hours: Sign up on COOL
How to get in touch with me:

28. Thanks!
Any questions?
Have a great day!