Is networking actually important?
The word “networking” elicits all types of responses, but the fact remains that it is the foundation of not only a successful job search but a life skill that directly correlates to an individual’s personal and professional success over their lifetime.
Many jobs are found through networking. Regardless of your current perception of “networking,” if you want to be successful in your career search you need to embrace its power put it into practice and continue to hone your skills. Here are a couple of tips to get you started.
How do I even start networking?
Whether you realize it or not you currently have an active social and professional network, and you are building upon it daily. Be advised that networking at its core is relationship development, and relationships take time, so be patient. That said, you need to be prepared to do the work.
Technologies like email, LinkedIn, and Facebook have made it easier than ever to identify and reach out to alumni and professionals within your target organizations and industries. Make these technologies part of an integrated approach that utilizes the phone and face- to- face engagements, when possible, to further develop the relationship. There is no substitute for the value gained from personal interaction so take advantage of those opportunities when you have them.
Treat the initial engagement as you would any first interaction. Spend time getting to know the other person but be respectful of their time and only ask for a small amount early on. Ask open-ended questions, listen, and be interested and genuine. People love to give advice, share their experiences, and help others.
As such, ask questions that will help you obtain the information you are seeking and be prepared, if asked, to share the same information with them. Including how they may be able to help you. Be careful though because the response to that question is NOT “get me a job.” Your goal should be to learn about and meet as new people as you can.
One way they can help is to share or recommend other individuals from their own network that they feel may be able to provide additional value and insight in your quest to learn. If you are fortunate enough for them to pass along a referral, follow up immediately, and circle back to let them know you did and what came of it.
How do I maintain connections with my business network?
This process takes time, so do not expect immediate results, and in general, do not expect anything in return outside of the time and insight they are willing to provide. A core tenet of a good networker is the mindset that they give more than they will get. If you do not currently have that mindset, you need to develop it.
Stay in touch with the individuals in your network on a regular basis. It does not have to be daily or even weekly to be effective. It does have to be relevant though. If you come across an article that may be of interest to them, pass it along with a brief note. Set up a schedule to follow up monthly or quarterly with an update on what is going on in your world and inquire the same.
Obviously, certain instances may require more frequent or less frequent interaction so gauge that accordingly and be respectful of their time. Keep an open mind and remember that everyone you meet regardless of the situation has the potential to become part of your network if you allow them to.
Additional networking tips
Intermediate
- Request an Informational Interview with someone in an industry you are interested in.
- Get useful job or internship advice from other students in Handshake. Connect with students who have interned where you hope to be interning.
- Practice your introduction.
- Attend an employer information session, panel, event, or career fair. See events.uiowa.edu and Handshake events (click on Events from the left navigation menu).
- Begin adding LinkedIn connections in your field and industry of interest and following Organizations or People.
- Comment on or like a post on LinkedIn from a connection.
- Connect to a guest speaker on LinkedIn after class or event. Make sure to send a tailored connection request instead of using the LinkedIn automatic text.
- Follow an employer page on Handshake.
- Leaving a job, internship, or club? Send a thank you email or note and ask for a reference if needed.
- Join a professional association
Advanced
- Participate in a Mock Interview and ask the employer questions about their organization.
- Utilize Big Interview for interview practice and valuable feedback.
- Message an employer on Handshake!
- Participate in a conference or training hosted by a professional association. Connect and follow up with at least one other person while you are there. Remember their role and/or interests – show your gratitude and send an article or tip related to something you discussed with them.
- Connect with an alumni in your field on LinkedIn via the Alumni search function.
- Schedule time to reach out to prior connections that you want to maintain. This could be a monthly phone call with an old friend, a semesterly coffee and catch up with a previous internship, job, or volunteer supervisor, or even visiting a prior professors’ office hours.
- Send thank you cards at the end of the semester to professors or others who have made a positive impact on you that semester.
- Seek out a mentor in your field, a networking group, or leadership trainings through your employer.
- Schedule time weekly or monthly to post on LinkedIn (or other relevant site related to your field).
Alumni insight
"Make sure that you are networking from day one; that is important. Sometimes people are afraid, and are scared to network, reach out early before you need a resource, build those relationships, it is not about the number of people you can network with, it is about how many people remember you and establishing that relationship for when you do need them."