How do people actually network? Sharing your value with your network
A summary of qualifications (sample below) is a section that can be added to the top of your resume that describes your professional self in a “nutshell.” It is also a great piece of content to drop in an email with context about your job search, goals, and how your network can help spread the word and create opportunities for you—a new connection or your next job!
Summary of qualification
- Results oriented professional with 10 years’ experience in management, sales, and marketing
- Client-centric with strong focus on forming and implementing new and sales strategies
- Proven ability to lead technical team and projects using Python, Tableau, and Excel
- Solid written, verbal and presentations skills utilized as part of strategic planning and sharing
It is an effortless way to spread the word about who you are and how others can help. If you feel comfortable you can encourage your network to share your information too. Need help crafting your value proposition, enlist the help of your Tippie Career Coach!
Networking
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).
Other search & networking resources
- The 2-Hour Job Search
- MBA Guide to Networking Like a Rockstar
- Coursera (accessible with HawkID for Tippie students)