The document provides information about networking and conducting informational interviews. It begins with defining networking and discussing common fears people have about networking. It then covers why networking is important, potential networking contacts, and tips for holiday, phone, and in-person networking. The document also discusses informational interviews, including how to request one, prepare, conduct the interview, and follow up afterwards. The overall purpose is to help students make the most of their holidays by networking and potentially securing internships or jobs.

1. Make the most of your holidays:
Network your way to an
internship or job
Presented by Amy Cavanaugh
Fall 2014

2. Today’s Agenda
What is networking?
Why network?
Who is in your network?
Getting started
Developing your communication strategy
Q & A

3. What comes to mind when you
hear networking?

4. What is networking?
“Networking is the exchange of
information or services among individuals,
groups, or institutions;
specifically : the cultivation of productive
relationships for employment or
business.”
As defined by the Merriam Webster dictionary

5. Common fears
 Many people feel like they don’t want to impose
People like to talk about themselves and also enjoy
helping others
 Sharing information is something that we do
everyday, it is a two way street
Have you had a conversation with a professor,
family friend, or even talked to someone on an
airplane?
Do you feel uncomfortable networking?
It’s normal!

6. What networking Is and what
networking Isn’t
IS:
A reciprocal relationship: look for ways to
help
A request for information and (you hope)
referrals
Relationships over time: demonstrate your
competence and credibility
ISN’T:
Asking for an internship or job

7. Why network?
 Considered one of the most effective ways to find
internships and jobs
 A powerful tool that is needed not just to obtain
your first job, but will also assist you when you
search for future jobs
 Build confidence in communicating with others
 Deliver the personal touch that can’t be conveyed
in resumes/cover letters/job applications

8. Employer focus is
on internal hires,
viewing proof of
work & asking for
referrals
Job seeker focus is
on resumes &
applying to posted
positions

9. Student and Alumni Quotes
“I wanted to thank you since your advice paid off as I started as
a project coordinator for ABC Company. I kept networking and
talking to people and was able to find a good match.”
“Network, network, network. You never know if the person
next to you in spin class or on the airplane might be your next
big lead.”
“Get started early…You should already have a resume put
together by the beginning of your senior year. Any chance that
you get to network, TAKE!”

10. Getting started
Start by identifying short and long-term goals 
WHY are you networking?
Common reasons to network:
1. Gain Career Information:
-learn about industry and organizational culture
-make informed decisions
2. Strengthen Communication Skills
3. Tap into the Hidden Job Market
4. Build a network of contacts for future

11. Who is in your network?
Personal
 Dentist/doctor
 Hairstylist
 Family friend
 Former/current supervisor
 Members of your religious
group
 Relatives
 Facebook friends
 Current/past co-workers
 Members of your gym
 Co-participants in
community service
 Attendees at conferences
or events
UP
 Faculty and staff
 Classmates
 Peer members of student
organizations and clubs
 Professional members of
student organizations and
clubs
 Representatives at
internship and job fairs
 UP Alumni on LinkedIn

13. Networking opportunities over
break
Social Gatherings
 Holiday parties
 Local professional association meetings
 Volunteer experiences at organizations of interest
Informational Interviews
 One-on-one meetings
Social Networking
 LinkedIn (online discussion groups)
 Facebook

14. What about next semester?
Events
 On-campus events (club/organization meetings,
lectures, internship and job fairs)
 Off-campus events (local professional association
meetings, alumni events, information sessions, etc.)
 Volunteer at organizations of interest
Informational Interviews
 One-on-one meetings
Social Networking
 LinkedIn (online discussion groups)
 Facebook

15. Develop your communication
strategy
Introduction
 Create a positioning statement for in-person meetings
and email and telephone introductions
 Begin with a firm handshake and eye contact
Manage networking relationships
 Develop a tracking system for contacts
 Express your appreciation
 Follow through on next steps
 Reciprocate

16. Brief introduction
 A positioning statement is a brief declaration of
who you are, what you do, and what you are
looking for
 It is a SNAPSHOT and may communicate these elements:
Professional identity;
The most relevant and unique elements of your strengths;
Problems you are good at solving;
Work you love to do or what you are known for;
The types of organizations where you have worked or
studied;
The opportunities you are looking for to further your
experience/career

17. What’s the formula?
 Name
 Class/Profession (senior, junior,
sophomore/Marketing Professional, Teacher)
 Major
 Opportunities that you are seeking
 Relevant experience (work, internship, volunteer
work)
 Highlights of skills and strengths
 Knowledge of the company

18. Let’s get started!
 Name
 Class (senior, junior, sophomore)
 Major
 Opportunities that you are seeking
 Relevant experience (work, internship, volunteer
work)
 Highlights of skills and strengths
 Knowledge of the company

19. Holiday networking tips
 Approach people and introduce yourself with a smile and a
handshake.
 Try to use an opening line based on the current social situation
and try to end your opening line with a question.
(e.g. Do you have any special plans for the holidays?)
 Don't take it personally if someone does not want to talk to you
or becomes pre-occupied with something/someone else.
 Make eye contact when talking to the person—it shows sincerity
and interest.
 Be careful about telling jokes. Do not tell any ethnic, sexual,
gender, or political jokes.
 Wait for an appropriate opportunity or for the end of the
conversation to ask for contact information to follow up.

20. Phone Networking tips
 Always ask if the individual has a moment to speak
with you or if you should call back at a more
convenient time.
 Pronounce the person’s name correctly.
 Communicate your referral, if you have one, to
establish something in common immediately.
 Be direct and state clearly that you are asking for
advice or information, not asking for a job.

21. Informational interview
 The term informational interview was coined by Richard
Nelson Bolles, author of the best-selling career
handbook, What Color Is Your Parachute?
 A one-on-one conversation with someone who has a job
you might like, who works within an industry you might
want to enter, or who is employed by a specific
company that you're interested in learning about.
 A highly focused information gathering session with a
networking contact designed to help you choose or
refine your career path by giving you the “insider" point
of view.

22. Informational interview
 YOU are the one who leads
 Learn more about what is done on a daily basis and
determine if it relates to your skills, interests, and
values
 Ask questions that you cannot ask during a first
interview (i.e., salary, benefits, work hours,
vacation)
 Gain valuable career information + build self-
confidence + improve your ability to handle a job
interview

23. Getting started – Info. Interviews
 Determine potential industries/careers that you
want to learn more about
 Identify people in that industry
 If you want to know about event planning, meet
with a person from University Events or someone
who plans a major fundraising event for a
nonprofit.
 If you are interested in working in human
resources, contact a human resources professional
at UP.

24. Requesting an informational
interview:
 It’s best to start with a personal referral who
makes an introduction
 You can send an email with a brief request and
follow up with a phone call
 You can begin with a phone call and follow up with
an email
 You can contact someone through LinkedIn or via a
company’s website

25. Phone/Email Introduction
Hello . . . my name is Sally Student. My former
supervisor Wally Pilot suggested I contact you
because I am doing some research on careers in civil
engineering. Is this a good time to talk? He thought
you would be a good person to answer some
questions I have about the structural engineering. If
it works for you, I can meet you for coffee or lunch
sometime in the next several weeks. Or, if it works
better for you, I can call back at a time when you
might have 15 or 20 minutes to talk. Would you
consider this?

26. Preparation for meeting
Preparation is the key to your success
 Ideally you will conduct the informational interview in person
but it may be necessary to schedule a phone appointment or
communicate via email
 Begin with research
Read as much as you can about the person
Review the organization’s website (avoid asking questions
you can easily find the answers to with a little research)
 Prepare your introduction about your interests, skills, and
values and how they relate to the career field the person you
are interviewing works
 Create a list of well thought out, open-ended questions
 Determine appropriate attire

27. Questions to ask
 Tell me more about your career path.
 How did you find your job?
 What would you suggest to someone trying to break into the
industry?
 Are there any professional associations that you would
recommend exploring?
 What kind of work/internship experience would this organization
or similar employers look for in job applicants?
 What are the opportunities for advancement? Is an advanced
degree needed?
 What is your schedule like? Are the hours flexible?
 What are some of the rewards and challenges that typically
accompany this type of work?
 Do you know anyone else I might be able to talk to?

28. Conducting the informational
interview
 Arrive 5-10 minutes early
 Introduce yourself and offer a good handshake
 Thank the person in advance for sharing his/her
time and acknowledge that you don’t intend to
take too much time
 Ask your questions, take notes, and let the
conversation unfold
 Bring your resume with you but do not expect to
share unless he or she asks

29. Follow up
 Send a formal thank you note.
 Let them know what steps you have taken to apply the
advice he or she provided.
 Keep in touch
 Follow up with anyone who provided you with an
introduction.
 It is common courtesy and it keeps others interested and
involved in your career path.
 Sending an occasional article on a business related topic
or a quick note updating them on your current activities.
 Eventually if you decide to pursue the career field, you
may wish to send out a “feeler” letter along with your
progress report by stating, “If you hear of any job
possibilities, I am enclosing my resume and would
appreciate hearing from you.”

30. Your Holiday action plan
 Develop your networking goals
 Identify people in your network and opportunities
to network
 Know your positioning statement and how to
answer “what are your plans?”
 Send emails or make phone calls to schedule
informational interviews
 Buy thank you notes for follow up

31. Questions?
CAREER FAIRS
 SWE Engineering &
Computer Science Career
Fair
Fri., February 27 | Shiley
 First Avenue Career Expo
Thursday, April 9 | Chiles
Center
**watch the portal for info!
CAREER PANELS
 Social Media Professions:
Mon. Jan. 27th
 Careers in Biotechnology:
Tues. Feb. 11
 What Employers Want:
Weds. March 26
 Careers in Sports:
Tues. April 15
Networking in Spring 2015