2. 2
What is networking?
Networking is the development and maintenance
of mutually valuable relationships
● Development: It takes time to build these
relationships
● Maintenance: These relationships require effort
over a period of time to stay afloat.
● Mutually valuable relationships: The focus is
not just on your benefit, but on both sides
benefitting from the relationship.
3. 3
Why network?
Networking has a number of benefits:
● Builds your confidence and experience.
● Networking is the #1 way to find a job,
especially in a time when a good deal of
information is not listed in advertised jobs.
● Helps you achieve your personal and
professional goals.
5. 5
Guidelines for Successful Networking
1. Have a well-rehearsed description of your skills,
experience, and professional goals (your elevator
pitch!)
2. Set a realistic goal for the networking opportunity.
3. Ask open-ended questions.
4. Know how others can help you.
5. Follow up within 48 hours.
6. Avoid going to the same people (your friends) time
and time again.
7. Be genuinely interested in people.
6. 6
One thing to remember...
Remember!
Just because it’s called an
elevator pitch, doesn’t
mean these opportunities
only come about in
elevators.
7. 7
Where could you use an elevator pitch?
● In an interview, in response
to “Tell me about yourself.”
● In a follow-up phone or call
to summarize your
qualifications and interest.
● While networking to help you
make a clear, positive first
impression.
● At a career fair to introduce
yourself quickly to
employers.
Networking is about the concept of mutual benefit or exchange. Someone is getting to know you, and you are getting to know someone else. To be an effective networker, you will practice this skill, and practice it, and practice it some more. The best way to improve your networking skills is to consistently practice.
Remember, networking is not about asking for a job. The primary goal of networking is to meet others in your field and to encourage the exchange of ideas and experiences. Job opportunities may ultimately develop through your networking, but that is not the purpose of building a network.
These are some of the known benefits of networking. Ask students to explain why each of these points is a benefit of networking.
While the adage of “it’s not what you know, but who you know” still holds true, remind students that networking is relies on mutual benefit. It is important to demonstrate to those in your network that you are well-equipped to be successful in your field. Networks are ultimately a reflection of the people in them.
Here are seven guidelines for successful networking:
1. Have a well-rehearsed description of your skills, experience, and professional goals (This is the elevator pitch!)
2. Set a realistic goal for the networking opportunity.
3. Ask open-ended questions.
4. Know how others can help you.
5. Follow up within 48 hours.
6. Avoid going to the same people (your friends) time and time again.
7. Be genuinely interested in people.
Ask students: If these are the guidelines, what are some potential obstacles to networking? [Fear, Just starting out/Inexperience, Different personality types, Access to networks, etc.]
Move to next slide for other examples of where a student would need an elevator pitch.
Where to Use an Elevator Pitch
· In an interview in response to "Tell me about yourself."
· In a follow-up phone call or email to summarize your qualifications and interest
· While networking to help you make a clear, positive first impression
· At a career fair to introduce yourself quickly to employers
Ask students for other places/situations that they could use an elevator pitch?
Note: Frankenstein is the doctor, not the monster!
Ask students to look at these images. Ask: can you tell what type of event is represented in these images?
Use this discussion to transition to the Speed Networking activity.
Instructions for students: Imagine you are interviewing for a “top employee” training program. You will pitch your 30-second speech during a speed networking event. You will each have 30 seconds to pitch yourself as the top candidate for the job to the person across from you. Then, they will do the same. After one minute, you will move on and repeat the process. We will do this 8 times through, so you will pitch yourself 8 times and hear 8 different pitches. Once we are done, you will all discuss the process, including who you thought provided the most effective pitch. We will then determine the top 5 individuals and vote for the top candidate to determine who our new hire will be.
Discussion-Speed Networking: Once the top candidate has been picked, regroup and check in with students about the experience. Use these questions to guide the discussion:
· What are the most challenging aspects of pitching yourself?
· What can we do to alleviate those challenges?
