Best practices & tips for acing networking events + informational interviews.

1. C O M M 2 0 2
CAREER FUNDAMENTALS
W I T H B O N N I E
T26 (MONDAY 4PM) & T40 (FRIDAY 3PM)
C O M M 2 0 2
CAREER FUNDAMENTALS
W I T H B O N N I E
T26 (MONDAY 4PM) & T40 (FRIDAY 3PM)

2. our plan today
1. Course timeline
2. Networking basics
3. Informational interviews
4. Action items

3. course timeline
Week 9
Tutorial
Networking &
informational
interviews
Week 10 Week 11 Beyond
Tutorial
Resume & CLs – workshop
* bring 1 copy!
What’s Due:
• For TUTORIAL, print
your resume + CL (x1)
• Networking Event on
THURSDAY, MAR 14TH
(6PM-8PM)
• For FRIDAY, MAR 15TH
@ 11:59PM: Resume &
CL peer reviews
Lecture
Interview prep
What’s Due:
• For FRIDAY, MAR
22ND @ 11:59PM:
1. Final copy of
Resume & CL
2. Interview sign-up
(Monday, Apr 1st,
Tuesday, Apr 2nd,
Thursday, Apr 4th)
What’s Due:
• Week of MONDAY,
APR 1ST: Mock
Interviews
• For FRIDAY, APR
5TH @ 11:59PM:
1. Networking
reflection
2. Informational
interview summary
3. Bonus marks

4. our plan today
1. Course timeline
2. Networking basics
3. Informational interviews
4. Action items

5. Networking event details
COMM 202 Event
• THURSDAY, MAR 14TH
• 2 time slots
• Group 1: 6:00PM – 7:00PM
• Group 2: 7:00PM – 8:00PM
• CPA Hall
• Show up 10 minutes in advance
to sign in; no coat check
External EventOR
• On pre-approved list (or email me
for approval)
• Additional assignment
submission requirements:
1. Selfie at event
2. Screenshot of registration
confirmation
Deliverable: 1-page networking reflection (due FRIDAY, APR 5TH)

6. Assignment: 1-page networking reflection
• Your goals in attending the event:
1. What is your purpose in going?
2. Define SMART goals beforehand – how will you define the
success of your evening?
• How did you prepare for the event? (Research potential delegates)
1. What was it about these delegates that motivated you wanting to
talk to them?
• Summary of who you spoke with and what you learned
• Reflection in lessons you have learned about the networking process
• Next steps you will take to continue building a relationship with your
new contact (if you plan to)
Due FRIDAY, APR 5TH

7. Have you attended a networking event before?
Yes No

8. I find networking events…
Fun Stressful

9. 1
Before attending
Research
Prep to make the most
out of the event
Plan what to wear
Breaking down dress
codes
Etiquette
How to not be awkward
2 3

10. • For COMM 202 Networking Event: check out delegate info on Canvas
• Generate a list of people you’d like to meet
• Skim their profiles on LinkedIn
• Interesting topics?
• Common interests/experiences/groups?
• Questions you’d like to ask?
• Practice your introduction
• Be interested but tone down the creepy
1. Research

11. 1
Before attending
Research
Prep to make the most
out of the event
Plan what to wear
Breaking down dress
codes
Etiquette
How to not be awkward
2 3

12. • For COMM 202 Networking Event: business casual
• For external events: check event description
• What if no dress code is specified?
2. Plan what to wear
Casual Black tie +Business casual Business formal
• Professional dresses or skirts, dress pants, chinos, or khakis (no jeans/athletic pants)
• Sweaters, blouses, collared shirts with or without ties
• Patterns and colours are acceptable as business casual (but no hoodies, t-shirts/tank tops,
or tops with slogans)
• Clothing should be crisp and not wrinkled
• Footwear should still be professional for an office setting such as loafers, dress shoes or
boots, heels/pumps, or flats (no flip flops/running shoes)

13. 1
Before attending
Research
Prep to make the most
out of the event
Plan what to wear
Breaking down dress
codes
Etiquette
How to not be awkward
2 3

14. 3. Etiquette

15. 3. Etiquette
Starting a conversation Ending a conversation
Thank them
for their time
Leave with a
handshake
Ask to
connect after
the event
Be polite and
gracious
Enter the
circle
Let others join
in
Introduction
Ask questions
Let’s try this out

16. 3. Etiquette
3 additional tips for beyond this assignment
WingpersonName tags Food/drinks

17. our plan today
1. Course timeline
2. Networking basics
3. Informational interviews
4. Action items

18. Do you know what an informational interview is?
Yes No

19. Have you gone on an info interview before?
Yes No

20. What are informational interviews?
What?
• Conversations to
learn more about
a particular
career path, job,
option, industry,
etc. – don’t
stress!
• Typically ~20-30
minutes, over
coffee
When?
• By April 5th
(assignment deadline)
• Someone you
met at a
networking
event
• LinkedIn profile
you found
• Alumni (BCC’s
network)
• Can NOT be
family member,
professor, staff,
current UBC
student
Who? Where?
• In-person at a
coffee shop or
the
professional’s
office
• Over
Skype/Google
Hangouts/Zoom
• Over the phone
Why?
• Expand your
network
• Answer key
questions
• Which
option?
• Which
field?
• Which job?
• Keys to
success?

21. Assignment: 2-page informational interview summary
• Face-to-face informational interview with industry professional
• Can NOT be family member, professor, staff, current UBC student
Due FRIDAY, APR 5TH
Tip
• Tackle this assignment
now
Task
Deliverable: 2-page (max) summary
• Contact details (name, company, title, phone, email)
• List of questions asked
• Major insights gained – what did you learn during your informational
interview?
• Did you request/receive any information regarding additional
connections?
• Follow up action – What will you do to maintain this connection?
• What are your next steps having conducted this information
interview?
• Screenshot of follow-up (thank you) email

22. 1
Breaking down informational interviews
Before
Prep to make the most
out of the event
• The ask
• Prepare
• Show up
During
Etiquette
After
Following up
2 3

23. Outside of Network
• Search up those who…
• Has previously done the same job
• Works in the same company
• Works in the same department
• Be flexible
• Acknowledge they may be busy
• Beyond this assignment: offer
phone/Skype/email as options
Just reach out! The worse thing that can
happen is the person doesn’t respond.

24. The ask
What to include in the email/note?
• You’re a student
• How you heard about them or know them
• Why them
• What you are looking to learn (their career progression, advice on how to best leverage
time at Sauder, etc.)
• 15-20 minutes of their time
• Close the email by suggesting two times you are available to meet (vs. yes or no
answer)
• Tell them you’re willing to meet them at a location most convenient for them (near their
work, etc.) – do not expect them to come to you

25. Tip: best practices

26. Example: Ena’s Pepsi journey
• Career exploration between
Marketing + HR
• Friend introduced her to a contact
who used to work in HR at PepsiCo
• Around the same time, got an
interview from PepsiCo
• She connected with the contact and
also scouted for whoever she could
find on LinkedIn

27. Emailing Belinda

28. What if they say no?

29. What if they say no?
• No answer is not a ”no” – follow up
• If they say, ”no,”
• Judge the situation…
• What position are they?
• What type of relationship/rapport have
you developed so far?
• Offer the option to stay in touch and reach out
later
• Be patient and think about the long term!
VP HR for Joey Restaurants

30. Prepare
So they’ve said yes…now what?
What information to look for Where to find
• Their company
• Their major skill sets (job title)
• Work history
• Accomplishments
• Associations
• Common interests
• Internet search
• LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram (?)
• Their personal website
• Ask mutual friends/connections
Do a deep dive to familiarize yourself with their career, and to generate questions for the
informational interview

31. Prepare
Generating questions
Job/role
related
Advice
Common
interests
Industry/
company
Let’s try this out: generate one each
Advice
Industry/
company

32. Sample questions
• What do you like most about your job and/or field?
• What is one challenge you’re currently facing at work?
• What do you need to do to become successful in this industry?
• How did you get into the industry?
• What is PepsiCo doing to adapt to increasingly health-conscious consumers?
• What advice do you have for someone starting out?
• Who do you look up to?
• If you could change one thing…what would that be?
• I noticed on your LinkedIn you were part of Leaders of Tomorrow Program last
year. I’m in the program this year. How was your experience?
Job/Role
Related
Company/
Industry
Advice
Common
Interests

33. Show up
• Arrive early! Better to not rush into the meeting all frazzled because of time
• Dress the part (business casual)
• Find a spot and wait, do not buy the coffee first – wait for them to get there
• Don’t know what they prefer, if they have allergies, etc
• Be present. Don’t be distracted and on your phone while you wait
• If they don’t show up?
• Send them a short message if they don’t show up within 10 minutes: “I am sitting by
the corner in a black jacket.”

34. 1
Breaking down informational interviews
Before
Prep to make the most
out of the event
During
Etiquette
After
Following up
2 3

35. During the meeting
• Eye contact, smile, handshake, thank you
• Acknowledge that they’re busy and you really appreciate them taking the time
• Who pays?
• The art of small talk
• Take charge – you’re the one who called the meeting! Remind them why you wanted to meet in
the first place.
• Bring a notebook, ask if it’s okay to take notes. Make sure you aren’t too focused on the notebook!
• Ask questions and listen to their responses fully – don’t feel like you need to ask only the
questions you prepared for. The best conversations are those where questions flow naturally
• Be curious & offer your opinions
• Respect their time: 15 mins in, ask if they are okay to continue
• Thank them for their time
Practice
breeds
comfort!

36. EI
• Pay attention to body language: watch out for signals
• Have they closed their book or checked their phone? This means they may need to head
back to work and you should ask them if they are okay to continue.
• Active listening – essential for having a natural conversation. This looks like:
• Maintaining eye contact; not looking elsewhere while they’re talking (DO NOT check your
phone)
• Asking relevant follow up questions
• Could you provide any immediate value?
• Thank them again for taking the time out of their busy schedule

37. Be prepared to talk about yourself
• Quick introduction
• What you would love to do for companies
• What problem have you identified that makes you want to work in the industry
• Why you feel it’s important to talk to experts in the field
• Use phrases like: ‘I’d like to…’, ‘I believe...’
• Keep it short, positive and focused
• Be prepared to answer the question “What can I do for you?”

38. Can you add value?

39. 1
Breaking down informational interviews
Before
Prep to make the most
out of the event
During
Etiquette
After
Following up
2 3

40. Follow up
• Send a thank you email
• Thank them for their time
• Mention something you talked about
• Mention when you will follow up with
them next
Your turn!

41. Activity
You have just met with Lisa
Simpson, a Sauder alumni, to learn
more about her experience working
at KPMG in their tax department.
During your conversation you
talked about work but also your
shared interest in the saxophone.
With a partner write a follow up
email.
• Thank them for their time
• Mention something you talked about
• Mention when you will follow up with
them next

42. Example:
Ena’s F/U note

43. LinkedIn – Kind Stranger Story

44. Example: How did Ena’s story end?
• Ena got the Sales Co-op job at PepsiCo Sept 2016
• Ena kept in touch with Belinda
• Belinda re-joined PepsiCo HR January 2017
• Ena reached out for HR shadowing (as prep to apply internally)
• Ena + Belinda becomes co-workers 4 months later

45. Maintaining your connections
• Keep them updated on things you talked
about during the chat.
• Comment on their activity on LinkedIn
(ex. if they got a promotion)
• Setting up more coffee chats if you have
more questions in the future

46. our plan today
1. Course timeline
2. Networking basics
3. Informational interviews
4. Action items

47. 1. Next week is tutorial – Resume + CL peer reviews (print & bring 1 copy)
2. Office hours: sign up on Canvas (to be posted)
3. Networking Event: Thursday, March 14th from 6PM-8PM
4. By 11:59PM on Friday, March 15th: Resume & CL peer reviews
5. By 11:59PM on Friday, March 22nd: (1) Final copy of Resume & CL; and (2)
Mock interview sign up
6. Confirm informational interview date + time
reminders

49. ?