This document provides tips for networking from online to in-person. It recommends connecting with professors, family, friends and others online and utilizing these existing connections to request informational meetings. It suggests preparing for meetings by identifying common interests, areas of expertise and questions to ask. Sample questions for events and introductions are provided. The document stresses giving value to connections by sharing information and looking for ways to help others in order to build strong professional relationships.

1. From URL to IRL –
A Better U
Presented for
Networking

2. First, Let’s Redefine It!

3. Building mutually beneficial
Relationships

4. Where are you?

5. You’re Already Connected Online
 Professors
 Family
 Friends
 Parents of Friends
 College Career
Center
 Alumni
 Campus Groups
 Professional Associations
 Clubs or Meet Ups
 Twitter Chats
 LinkedIn Groups

6. Let’s Do It With Purpose

7. What Do You Need?
Informational meeting
– Career Advice
• What types of entry level jobs to look at
• What other industries/companies to look at
• How they got started in their career
– Company Information
• What do they like about the company
• How did they get their foot in the door
• How do jobs get filled (recruiters, posting, etc.)

8. Requesting A Meeting Will
• Build a closer relationship
• Tap into their knowledge/expertise
• Establish trust/familiarity
• Showcase some of your skills/expertise
• Lay groundwork for future meeting

9. Networking may not be
immediately
gratifying

10. Prepping for a One-on-One

11. Common
Interests
Areas of
Expertise
What you’ll
talk about

13.  You interested in
learning from them
 “Top of mind”
awareness of your
talents
What do
I want to
communicate?

14.  What do you have in
common?
 What 2-3 skills do you
want to be known for?
 What are you most
proud of?
 Types of problems can
you solve?
What's the best
way to
introduce
myself?

15.  What trends do you see in
the future that will affect
your organization and
industry?
 What is the greatest
demand for your services
or product?
 If this company was
known for 3 things as a
workplace, what would
they be?
 What are the qualities of
people who perform best
in this business?
What
questions
do I ask?

16. Going to an event?

17. • What did you think of the speaker?
• What part of the talk really
resonated with you?
• What prompted you to come here
today?
• Have you been to one of these
before?
• What’s been the best session for
you?
• Who have you enjoyed meeting so
far?
• What session are you most looking
forward to?
• How’s your week going?
• How’s business?
• Have you seen any movies
recently?
• Have you got any plans to get
away?
• How do you enjoy spending
your free time?
• What led you to set up your own
business/be an accountant etc?
• What’s the best part of your job?

18. Business Cards
Name
Role/Function/Job Title
Tag line (value proposition)
Phone, Email, LinkedIn URL
Online portfolio/social media

19. Give to Get

20. Ways to Show Appreciation
 Pay for their coffee/tea/chai
 Send an interesting article
 Introduce them to someone you know
 Offer to share what you know
 Lend or give a book
 Look for opportunities to promote them or
their company
 Repeat

21.  Identify 5 people to meet over the next
week/month/year
 Attend one professional association
meeting
 Listen for opportunities to: offer help, share
information, or connect with someone
Actions

22. www.careersherpa.net
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with
Me! @CareerSherpa