Welcome to COMM 202

T26 & T33Tutorial 7

Week 9: Event Networking / Informational Interviews

Austin Smith Disconnect from technology please

Breathing Exercise

“Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart. “

Marcus Aurelius

Opening Lesson

Today’s Key Learning's

Agenda

SM Debrief

Informational Interviews

Networking at Events

Actions Items

1. SM debrief

• Marks have been posted online (check Turnitin for feedback!)

2. Informational interviews

Why?

1. Get your foot in the door (faster)2. Gain insight about a company, industry, or career

path3. Practice your interview and networking skills4. Find a potential mentor5. Show them who you are beyond your resume and

cover letter

Info interview assignment

• Contact details (name, company, title, phone, email• List of questions asked• Major insights gained – What did you learn during your

informational interview? **This is the most important part, should be 40% of final paper.

• Did you request/receive any information regarding additional connections?

• Follow up action – What will you do to maintain this connection? *Screen shot of thank you email required

• What are your next steps having conducted this information interview?

10%

Info Interview Assignment

10%

• Due Thursday April 14th (note that this is during the final exam period)

• Minimum of one page

• In-person and not current UBC student/staff/faculty or family member

• Look at potential questions on the Course Blog

10%

How to land an Info Interview?

1. Find 4 or 5 potential contacts – WHERE?!

2. Research them (Google, LinkedIn) and reach out to contacts you have in common

3. Decide what you want to talk to them about and brainstorm questions and points of commonality

4. Send out your invites! Don’t be offended if they don’t immediately reply

2. Networking at Events

SAVE THE DATE:

Thursday, March10th from6:00pm-8:00pm @ CPA Hall

• Alumni, senior students, and local professionals convening for an evening of networking with this semester’s COMM 202 students

• Excellent opportunity to practice and refine your networking skills and learn more about how to make the most of your time at Sauder!

Networking reflection

Reflection paper due Monday, March 14th

1. Your goals in attending the event What is your purpose in going? Define SMART goals beforehand

2. How did you prepare for the event (research potential delegates)?

3. A brief summary of who you spoke with (3+ convos) and what you learned in the conversations

4. A reflection on the lessons you have learned about the networking process

5. Next steps you will take to continue building a relationship with your new contact (if you plan to) 10%

Researching contacts

• Check out the delegate info on the course blog

• Skim the LinkedIn profiles of delegates you’d like to speak to-Note any interesting topics-Hone in on similar experiences or shared groups-Think about questions to ask

• During the event, be interested without being creepy!

I had a chance to look at your

LinkedIn profile, and I was really

interested to learn about…

Dress to IMPRESS &Dress for SUCCESS Research the event dress code if you aren’t sure what it means!

Networking Mechanics

Web to webEye color

Name tag on right Smile

Comfy Shoes

Assessing the room

The Approach

Avoiding the awkward:

• Don’t interrupt. When joining a networking circle, wait for a lull in the conversation.

• Never have food and a drink, you need a free hand to shake!

• Go with a wingman! But not a Siamese twin

Introduce yourself

Just simply say hi!• Hi, my name’s Austin, Austin Smith.

• Hi Austin, it’s nice to meet you. My name’s Andy.

Show you’re interested in talking to them• Hi Andy it’s great to meet you as well. I was actually

hoping to chat with you this evening as I noticed on your LinkedIn profile that you…and I would love to hear more about your experience.

Start the conversation. Ask a question / have them talk about themselves / Stay positive• Do you have any advice for students…looking to make

the most of their time at Sauder? …looking for a career in your field?

Continuing the Conversation

• LISTEN• Be careful not to monopolize peoples’ time• Listen for facts, feelings, free information and implied

statements• Introduce others, tying them into the conversation• Identify commonalities• Ask open ended questions

The Graceful Exit

• Spend 5 to 10 minutes with one person; wait for a lull

• Excuse yourself kindly and assertively:o “It was nice to meet you”o “I’m glad you were here today. It’s been great chatting

with you. Thanks so much.”o “I don’t want to monopolize all your time today. Thank

you for taking time to speak with me and I hope you enjoy the rest of the event.”

• Shake hands and exchange cards or ask to connect (if the conversation was meaningful)

Follow it up

• After great conversations, send a personalized email or LinkedIn request (or maybe an informational interview request? )

Hi Austin,

It was so great to get the chance to speak with you at last night’s networking event. I was really inspired by what you said about “building your personal brand”, and I am looking forward to putting your advice into practice.

I would love to continue our conversation about your experience at L’Oreal. I understand that you are very busy, but it would be great to meet for about 20 minutes. Would you be available to meet on Monday or Tuesday next week? Coffee is on me!

Thank you,

Alison Buchanan

The 202 networking event!

202 Networking Event Pet Peeves

1. Asking questions and not listening to the answer2. Asking rapid-fire questions so no one else can speak3. When a person’s outfit is distractingly unprofessional4. When students only talk about their option choices or career path! Try connecting over a common interest beyond work and school

202 Networking Event Pro Tips

1.Eat dinner beforehand2.Do some research on the delegates, but don’t get consumed in stalking every LinkedIn profile3.Dress classy and comfortably4.Have a few interesting questions / topics to chat about ready to go. How do you want to be remembered?5.When all else fails, find a 202 TA and we’ll help you join a circle6.Head to an area that is less packed7.Manage your energy – take a breather if you need it

BCC News Action Items

Resume & Cover Letter Due Tuesday March 8 th @1:59 PM

Submit on Turnitin Submit on COOL

Networking Event on Thursday, March 10 th, 2016

Networking Reflection due Monday, March 14 th @11:59 PM on Turnitin

Next week is… lecture!

Full list of eligible workshops and information sessions on Connect!

Brand Management Mentorship Program, Information Session this Friday 12:30 -1:30 pm in HA 492

How to submit?

You will submit your documents TWICE

• Once to Turnitin.com for marking (by 1:59pm)• Secondly to COOL (this is how you will receive an interview

for the Employment Interview assignment) (by midnight, same day…but just do it right away so you don’t forget!)

Full instructions on how to submit to COOL are on the course blog under assignments / resume and cover letter

Be present.