A Workshop developed by Career Services at UNC Charlotte

1. Graduate Student Professional Development
Rebecca Cody, Senior Assistant Director

2.  Brainstorm: what networking is and what it isn’t
 Assessing your network (who is in it?)
 Building your network
 Talking to people
 Working your network
 Managing your network
 Networking breakers
 Questions and Answers

3.  Asking someone to do you a favor
 Sneaky or dishonest, all about schmoozing, mingling
or cold calling
 A one-way sales-pitch
 A one-time conversation with no follow-up
 Just a strategy for extroverts

4.  The exchange of information or services among
individuals, groups, or institutions
 Being friendly and showing interest in people
 Establishing and cultivating personal relationships
 Meeting people for the mutually beneficial purposes
of building your contacts and being known by
potential employers and buyers
 An strategy that extroverts and introverts can master

5. Classmates Parents, relatives
Co-workers
Club or church
members
Teachers, staff,
administrators
Structured networks
People who provide and/or sell you services: mechanic,
landlord, hair stylist, insurance agent

6. Write out a list of 20-40

people you know.
 Don’t rule anyone out!

7.  Greek organizations
 Academic honor or interest societies
 Social networks (LinkedIn especially)
 Professional associations –
many have graduate
student membership rates

8.  Write your profile with great care (for some of your
contacts, this will be their first impression of you).
 Make sure all relevant information is provided:
 Employment status, industry, goals, work history,
affiliations, interests, professional photo
 Make your connections visible to others.
 Join of form groups of people with whom you have
something in common.
 Take advantage of search features that allow you to
locate people by company, industry, and location.
 Ask your contacts before attempting to reach theirs.

9.  One of the challenges of joining networks is deciding
which groups to join will be the most valuable to you.
 What is the group’s mission?
 What’s the size of the membership? What kinds of
professionals join?
 What professional development opportunities does the
group provide?
 Does the group have a professional journal and/or other
publications for members?
 Does the group host a job board?

10.  National Trade and Professional Associations of the US
 Institute of Management Consultants (example listing)
 Members are individual management consultants
 2800 members
 $75 annual student membership v. $150-$300 regular
 Membership directory, Journal of Management Consultants
provided with membership
 Information on annual meeting/conference
 Ask faculty/mentors for their recommendations on groups
that are most beneficial in your field.

11.  Make eye contact
 Smile
 Shake hands
 Introduce yourself with your name and a brief
statement about your professional goals – concisely
enough to complete the exchange while on an elevator.
 “Hi, my name is ... I’m studying … at UNC Charlotte.
This summer I’m looking for an internship with … I’m
taking a class in … to develop my … skills …”

12.  I am a new member of ABC organization.
 Have you been a member long?
 What have you enjoyed most about your membership?
 I hear the speaker for today is an expert on the topic.
 Have you heard Mr. Last Name speak before?
 This is my first time attending a XYZ meeting.
 Have you attended meetings before?
 At social functions, look for others who are also standing
alone – they may be relieved when you start a conversation.
 Focus on conversation starters that connect the two of you.

13. mile
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14.  A business, quasi-business, or social situation in which
you have opportunities to develop valuable contacts
 Before you attend, determine what you want to
accomplish and make sure the event is the place to
accomplish it:
 To gain visibility?
 To meet someone in particular?
 To learn something?
 Is there a time set aside for networking?

15.  Charlotte Business and Networking (eventful.com)
 Charlotte Chamber of Commerce
 Charlotte Business Journal
 University Career Center Online Events Calendar
 Campus Events Calendar

16. 1. Contact the 20-40 people you identified earlier by
phone or e-mail over a 4-week period. Begin with
the people you know best!
2. Explain your objective.
3. Ask if they can help identify potential openings or
other people you should contact.
4. Repeat with additional contacts suggested by the
original 20-40 people contacted.

17.  Dress professionally
 Research registered attendees
of interest
 Prioritize your contacts and visit
their tables first
 Distribute your resume and/or
business card
 Always follow up!

18.  If you create a business card, include:
 Identification, 2 ways to make contact (but not a personal
address), position desired
 BRIEF statement of education and training, length of
experience, job-related skills, performance, and/or results
 Use 2 separate pockets at events
 Don’t exchange immediately!
Farr, M. (2002). Seven Steps to Getting a Job Fast. Jist
Works.

19.  Provides an opportunity to meet people working in
your chosen career field. Also can help you
 Learn valuable information about the positions of interest
within the company.
 Make a good first impression.
 Know or have an idea of what you hope to do once
you have completed your degree.
 Interview in person or by telephone
 People employed with companies or interest, people
employed in the type of job that interests you, or
SOMETIMES hiring managers.

20.  What do you do and how do you do it?
 What do you like about working here?
 How do people get hired here?
 What types of opportunities exist here?
 What do you enjoy most about this work?
 What is most challenging?
 What are the skills and qualities that make a person
successful in this line of work?
 What is the best piece of advice you can give me?
 What relevant groups in town do you know of?
 Who else would you suggest that I talk to?

21.  Takes initiative on your part for keeping in touch /
staying connected on a regular basis
 Requires expressing appreciation
 Means that you give back
 Stay connected through
 Occasional e-mails or brief phone calls
 Lunch/coffee get-togethers
 LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter status updates
 News article links of mutual interest?
 Reconnecting at professional events

22.  Volunteer with on-site registration for an event
 Serve on a committee
 Hold an office
 Present/participate in a
poster session at a
professional conference

23.  Be empowering, not demanding.
 Demanding: I need you to give me …
 Empowering: I am looking for … and thought you might …
 Be straightforward, not hesitant.
 Hesitant: I know you’re busy and may not have time, and I
don’t want to bother you, but …
 Straightforward: I would like your assistance if possible.
Any amount of time you can give me will be appreciated.

24.  Be specific, not too broad.
 Too broad: I am looking for a job. Who can you
recommend that I talk to?
 Specific: I am looking for an opportunity with a …
company the can use my knowledge of … Who do you
know who …
Fisher, D. (2000). Power networking: 59 secrets to
personal and professional success. Bard Press.

25.  The Networking Survival Guide, Diane Darling
 Make Your Contacts Count, Anne Baber & Lynn
Waymon
 A Foot in the Door, Katharine Hansen
 The Fine Art of Small Talk, Debra Fine
 How to Talk to Anyone, Leil Lowndes
 Connecting with Success, Kathleen Barton
 Seven Days to Online Networking, Ellen Sautter &
Diane Crompton

26. YOU

27.  Individual Career Advising
 Mock Interviews/OptimalInterview Software
 NinerJobNet Database (jobs, internships, co-ops,
resume referral)
 Experiential Learning
 Resume Assistance and Critiques/OptimalResume
 Job Fairs (Public Service Career Fair Oct. 5)
 Career Resource Library
 Career Workshops
 FOLLOW US on Facebook and Twitter

28.  Fall and Spring
 MWRF: 8am-5pm, Tuesdays: 8am-6pm
 Summer
 M-F: 8am-5pm
 Drop-in Hours (no appointment needed)
 MTF: 10am-2pm, Tuesdays: 5-6pm, WR: 11:30am-3:30pm
150 Atkins www.career.uncc.edu 704.687.2231