This document provides guidance on networking and how to build an effective professional network. It discusses establishing goals for networking, developing people skills, cultivating relationships over time, and maintaining contacts. The key steps outlined are assessing your interests and skills, researching potential contacts, scheduling informational interviews, following up on referrals, and keeping contacts updated on your progress through correspondence. The overall message is that networking requires ongoing effort in building relationships and giving value to others, not just asking for help.

1. The Networking Process
and How It Works–
Essential steps for Success!

2. Experience
 38- years of administrative experience
o Former University Athletic Director (Retired)
 Missouri Baptist University
o Assistant Professor of Sport Management
o Undergraduate sport management coordinator
o Inducted Into Three Hall of Fames
Education
o M.S. in Sport Management
o B.S. in Education
o Lifetime Secondary Education Teaching
Certificates History/Health/PE

3. ◦ Faster Answers to Questions
◦ Safety Net in a rapidly changing business
world
◦ Less need to be an expert
◦ Resource for Business Deals, Alliances,
Jobs
◦ Prepare by learning from others

4.  Success…
◦ It’s not what you know….
◦ It’s not who you know….
◦ It’s who wants to know you !!
 I used to think that networking
was begging.

5.  Then I realized that is not what people hear.
When you network professionally, people
respect the effort you have made, even if they
can't help you right away,
 If you sit back and wait, opportunity will pass
you by. You are always up against other people.
If you want to be noticed you have to take
action."
 If you want to be noticed, you have to make
yourself known,

6.  1. a supportive system of sharing information and
services among individuals and groups having a
common interest. “ Networking is making links
from people we know to people they know, in an
organized way, for a specific purpose, while
remaining committed to doing our part, expecting
nothing in return.”
 2. groups of people who talk and share ideas,
information, and resources. Networking —
discovering connections between people.

7. ◦ Establishing goals.
◦ Analyzing the type of assistance you will need to
achieve your goals.
◦ Developing your people skills.
◦ Building and cultivating your network.
◦ Maintaining your network through the years.

8. ◦ People love to give advice
◦ People like being thought of as “experts”
◦ Networking is not just asking for help, but agreeing to
be helpful in return.
◦ 75% of people get their jobs through networking.
◦ Many positions are filled before they are even posted!
◦ People like to be “heroes”

9. ◦ Every person knows at least 250 other people.
◦ Each of your contacts knows at least 250 people. So
that’s 62,500 at your level.
◦ Each of your level contacts knows 250 people - and
that’s over 15,000,000!
 Speed Networking Example
o Crowd
o Individual

10. ◦ Family/Friends
◦ Friends of Family/Neighbors
◦ Classmates/Alumni
◦ Contacts from Special Interest Groups (e.g., Sorority,
Fraternity, Student organizations)
◦ Members of your religious congregation
◦ People dependant upon networking (e.g., realtors,
insurance agents)
◦ Former employers/co-workers

11. ◦ Recruiters/employers who give presentations on
campus.
◦ Other job candidates
◦ LUC Alumni Sharing Knowledge (LUC-ASK)
◦ Professional Associations
◦ Contacts in the Career Center
◦ Former teachers, current professors and staff

12. ◦ Assess your own interests, skills, knowledge areas, and
personal attributes. Take stock so you can speak about
yourself with enthusiasm.
◦ Research information about your potential network
contact and his/her field.
◦ Decide what information you would like to obtain from
your contact and prepare a list of questions you would
like to have answered (see “Guide to Informational
Interviewing” for sample questions).
◦ Remember that you are representing yourself and
Loyola as a whole.

13. ◦ Do not ask for a job or internship (ask for advice,
information, and other contacts).
◦ Do not spam with multiple e-mails or stalk with multiple
phone calls.
◦ Do not act unprofessionally or negatively.
◦ Do not ask your contact to mass distribute your
resume.
◦ Do not share their contact information with others
unless you have permission to do so.

14. 1 Contacts : Call, e-mail or write a letter.
2, 3, etc. Contacts: Send an “Approach” letter followed
by a phone call.
ATTACH YOUR RESUME AND INDICATE THAT IT’S
ONLY FOR REFERENCE!
 Purpose : Set up a meeting to discuss your
needs, interests and goals

15. ◦ Your letter should include:
 A brief introduction and your affiliation with Loyola
 Why you are writing to this individual; why you are interested in
this field or organization
 A brief statement of your interests and/or experience
 That you would like to schedule a 15-30 minute meeting with
them over the phone or in person
 That you are asking for information and advice.
 Information about arrangements for the meeting or call with
suggested dates, times and locations.
◦ Proofread all of your correspondence and be professional in your
tone. Even if this is already an “acquaintance” you should be formal
and professional with them.

16. ◦ Tell them who you are, why you are calling & what you need.
Always ask if this is a convenient time to talk.
◦ Tell them you don’t expect an immediate answer - ask if you can
call them back at a later date.
 Ask them:
◦ To be part of your personal NETWORK.
◦ For advice & input.
◦ To recommend their tips for getting a foot in the door in this
particular field or industry.
◦ To refer you to others who might be able to assist and give advice
(ONLY if you are comfortable asking).
 Tell Your Contact What You Need

17. ◦ Be polite, respectful, and charming!
◦ Dress professionally for in-person meetings.
◦ Have 10-15 appropriate questions ready to ask for a half hour
conversation, (see Networking Guidelines for examples of
informational interview questions).
◦ Be prepared for the person to ask you about your interests and
experiences.
◦ Be respectful of the person’s time and keep the conversation
short; they will let you know if they have additional time to share.
◦ Say “Thank You” at the conclusion of your conversation!

18. ◦ If your contact refers you to others, follow-up with
them. Make sure to immediately mention your mutual
contact and why they thought this new person might
be helpful.
◦ Keep your contacts informed. If your original contact
referred you to someone who was helpful, share that
with her/him. Likewise, if a particular resource or
research avenue was fruitful, let the person know.

19. ◦ Take notes after your interactions. They may be helpful
to refer to when reflecting on your conversation and
conducting follow-up.
◦ Send a thank you note within 24-48 hours –either by
email or handwritten. Include “How can I help you in
return?”
◦ Ask yourself: What did I learn from my conversation?
How does what I learned fit with my own interests,
abilities, goals, and values? What additional information
would be helpful to know?

20.  Develop Good People Skills
◦ Assert yourself positively and confidently.
◦ Ask good questions.
◦ Be a good listener.
◦ Be viewed as knowledgeable or skillful in a particular
area.
◦ Show interest in being of assistance to others.

21. ◦ Voicemail / Answering Machine – have a professional
voicemail message.
◦ Social Networking websites – Keep your profile
professional. Many people can access your
information, even if your privacy settings are set to the
maximum!
◦ Email address – again, keep it professional! Do not
use something like “cutygirl89@hotmail” or
“johnny420@yahoo”—those will not make good
impressions.

22. ◦ Your Name
◦ Description of Target Career Interest
◦ Home Address
◦ City, State Zip
◦ Phone E-Mail Address
◦ URL (optional)
◦ A business card creates an impression of
professionalism and quickly provides your contact
information.
◦ Business cards can be created online or at any
printing/copy store.

23. ◦ Contact name, title, company
◦ Address, Phone # & E-Mail address
◦ How you met contact
◦ Date last contacted
◦ Conversation summary
◦ Names of referrals
◦ Date of thank-you note for referrals
◦ Other follow up steps you took

24. ◦ Don’t let your “rolodex” gather dust – keep in touch
through sending occasional emails, updates, links to
articles, etc.
◦ Keep your contacts up-to-date on your progress.
◦ Always thank people!

25. ◦ “ Remember, part of networking is giving to other
people. The best networkers know that networking is
much more than passing around resumes. It involves
building relationships over time...”
◦ “Build Your Network, Now !”
 Final Thoughts…

26.  Thanks!