n/a

1. Networking/
Informational Interviews
Critical tips to making valuable connections based on
authenticity and focus
COMM 202 – Please take out your Namecards

2. ① Review of your networking experience
② How to follow up with connections and
manage your professional network
③ How to leverage the opportunity to build
momentum in your job-search
④ How to prepare for and conduct a successful
information interview
Objectives: what we will learn today
learn today

3. 202 Networking Event

4. what is networking?
Interact with other people to exchange
information and develop contacts,
especially to further one’s career.
“Real networking is about finding ways
to make other people more successful.”
-Keith Ferrazzi, Never Eat Alone

5. UBC
BCom
Option
Internship
Dream Job
expectation

6. Major Selection
Volunteer work
Work Experience
Networking
Job
Opportunities
Mentors
Academic Courses
reality

7. Internal candidates
Networking
HR postings
Agencies
Ads
How Employers Hire
How Job Seekers Look
Employer
Calls
Networking
Target Companies
Online Databases
(Monster, Workopolis, COOL)
Company Ads and Job Postings

8. Take the pressure off…
OR FULL TIME WORK
This is a
numbers
game

9. Relationship Building 101
Networking is doing exactly what your mother told you
never to do … talking to strangers.
It’s about:
• Finding commonalities
• Learning about and from other people
• Building connections
• Expanding your professional network
It’s NOT just about finding a job!

10. The Mind Set
To build great relationships you need to lead
with:
• Generosity –abundance vs. scarcity
• Authenticity – not contrived behaviour; be yourself
• Audacity – risk taking; courage
• Purposeful – planned, clear, aligned to your goals

11. After the event
• The follow-up:
– Did you take good notes? Good.
– Research.
– Can you email that evening?
– Mention what you talked about or refer to your brand
(they will possibly meet 100’s of students in one day)
• Always keep in mind,
“How am I adding value to this contact?”
• No response…don’t take it personally.
• Make sure they can find YOU! LinkedIn

12. Following Up with your connections
Email those you felt you connected with!
 Say Thank you
 Mention something you talked about
 If you want to speak to them more, ask for an
information interview

13. network brainstorm
You
Sauder
Work
Extra
Curricular
Friends
Professional
Family

14. Maintaining Your Connections
• Pinging – creating a cadence of outreach
with everyone on your list.
• A’s: have the greatest impact on your goals
• B’s: an individual you can be of service to,
but is not a top priority
• C’s: someone you know but may not be
influential, but could be an acquaintance to
bounce ideas off of.

15. Maintaining your Connections
Goal: to stay in touch and on their
radar
• Align your outreach against your priorities.
• Make goals around building your network, schedule time
• Be disciplined in your follow-up
• Let them know if you are applying for roles in
their organization before you apply
• Mind your manners; Keep your promises
• Contacts are not your friends
• Walking out of meetings/calls/class – circle/write down
action items – FOLLOW THROUGH

16. Maintaining your Connections
• Share an article
• Update them on Life Changes
• Spread Holiday Cheer
• Introduce a connection
• Simply say Hello
• Share upcoming events of interest
• Use Google Alerts – topics for
articles

18. “The best way to
predict your future
is to CREATE it.”
~Peter Drucker
Take Control of Your Career Path

19. INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS

20. During an informational
interview should you ask
for a job?
A) Yes
B) No
iClicker Question

21. • Job postings are down
• Job openings are UP
– (The Hidden Job Market)
• Referral potential
• Shortened hiring process
• Reduce your competition
• Build your circle of influence
• Helps you stay employed long term
Why Does This Work?

22. Know Your Contact
 Do your Research
 Know their major skill sets
 Work history
 Accomplishments
 Associations
 How to find it:
 Internet search
 LinkedIn
 Twitter
 Ask mutual contacts!
Find 5-6
points of
commonality
and
connection

23. Show Your Professionalism
 What to do
 Dress the part
 Pay attention to body language!
 Respect their time
 Who pays???
 How to do it
 Don’t be casual!
 Eye contact, smile, hand shake, thank
you
 Take notes
 Offer your expertise/opinions
Look and Act
in Charge.
You called
this meeting.

24. Setting the Stage
 Be Gracious
 Thank them for their time
 Let them know you have prepared questions
 15 mins in ask if they are ok to continue
 Start by layering your questions, let them tell you what’s most
important to them.
Respect
their time.

25. Plan Out Your Conversation
 What to find out (in their words)
 Professional history
 Expertise
 Beliefs
 Missing Pieces
 How to ask it
 How did you get into the industry?
 What is your specialty?
 What do you believe is most important to consider in this
profession?
 What challenges do you see and how should they be resolved?
Give to
Get

26. Generic vs. Great Questions
Add more focused questions to these general ones based on
your background research:
• Can you describe a typical day or week?
• What do you like most about your job and/or your field?
• How did you learn how to do your work? If you were starting out
now, would you train in the same way?
• What makes someone successful in your field?
• How would you describe the culture at your organization?
• As you look back, is there anything you wish you’d known or that
you would do differently?
• What are your field’s key professional associations?
• How do you keep current in your field? What should I be reading?
• What advice do you have for someone starting out?
• Do you have any job or internship search strategies to share with
me?

27. Tell Your Story Well
 What to say
 What you think you would LOVE to do for
companies
 What problem have you identified that
you want to work on in the industry
 Why you feel it is important to talk with
experts in the field
 How to say it
 I love to…
 I believe…
 I think experts are important sources to
me because…
Keep it
short,
positive
and
focused

28. Impressions Count
• Staff
• Faculty
• Corporate Decision
Makers
• Influencers
• Alumni
• Fellow FT/PT Students
“Do you know anyone I can connect with for
advice about _____________?”
Just Some Advice

29. Show Your Professionalism
 What to do
 Offer your expertise
 Ask for a referral
 Request networking protocol
 How to do it
 “How can I help you?”
 “Based on my goal to learn more, who do you think would be an
exceptional person for me to interview?”
 “How would you prefer I touch base with you to keep you posted on
my progress and share occasional info I come across?”
The
Magic
IOU

30. Following Up with your Interviewer
Email those you connected with!
 Thank them for their time
 Mention something you talked about
 Get it in your calendar when you will
follow up with them next

31. Informational Interview Assignment
Due Thursday , April 14th @ 2:00pm – 10% of final grade
• Face to face informational interview
• No students, UBC faculty/staff or family members
• 1 to 2 page, single spaced summary including:
• Contact details
• List of questions asked
• Major insights gained
• Did you request/receive any information regarding additional
connections?
• Follow up action – Thank You must be included
• What are your next steps having conducted this information
interview?
More details on the blog / Submit on Turnitin.

34. Email Invite
Things to include:
• You are are student
• How you heard about them (know
them)
– Commonalities
• What you are (generally) looking to
learn
• 20 minutes
• Choice between 2 positives