Info Interview & Networking

Sarah Brennan

Wednesday 3:30pm [T06]

– Thursday

9:30am [T12]

TUTORIAL 7 COMM 202

AGENDA !

Course Timeline

Skills Matrix Debrief

Action Items

Informational Interview

Networking

TIMELINE !

•  Lecture: Info Interview

•  Post Networking Reflection due Nov. 8th @ 11:59pm

Week 10

Week 11

Week 12

Week 13

•  Cover letter & Resume Nov.1

•  Networking Event in CPA Hall 6-8pm

•  Lecture: Interview Prep

•  Tutorial: Interview Questions

•  Interview Stream due Nov. 25th @ 11:59pm

•  Lecture: Got the job

•  Employer Interviews (Nov. 28th – Dec. 1st)

•  Info interview due Dec. 2nd @ 11:59pm

SKILLS MATRIX FEEDBACK !

INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW !

WHERE DOES NETWORKING HAPPEN !

WHERE DOES NETWORKING HAPPEN !

Chance meetings

Facilitated events

Direct requests

WHY NETWORK? !

Get your foot in the door

Practice networking skills

(aka meeting people)

Showcase yourself beyond your Resume &

Cover Letter

Find a potential mentor

Gain insights about a

company, or industry

Any other suggestions?

1.  Contact details (name, company, title, phone, email) 2.  List of questions asked 3.  Major insights gained – what did you learn during

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

4.  Did you request/receive any information regarding additional connections?

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

6.  What are your next steps having conducted this information interview?

INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW ASSIGNMENT !

INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW ASSIGNMENT !

Requirements:

In-Person & NOT a current UBC student/staff/faculty or

Family Member

Due Friday, December 2nd

(during final exam time)

Refer to course blog for FAQ

Minimum 2 pages

1.  Find 4-5 contacts 2.  Research & Reach-Out 3.  Construct the Conversation 4.  Send Out your Carrier Pigeon

HOW TO LAND AN INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW !

HOW TO LAND AN INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW !

Week 9 Week 13 Week 10 Week 12

•  Determine potential informational interview candidates

•  Compose and send first round email

•  Have interview date/time confirmed

•  Brainstorm questions for interview

Week 11

•  Compose and send second round email

•  informational interview assignment due (Dec 2nd 11:59PM)

NETWORKING !

COMM 202 NETWORKING EVENT !

Save the date!

THUSDAY, NOVEMBER 3RD FROM 6-8PM @ 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!

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) •  what was it about these people that motivated you wanting to talk

to them?

3.  Conversation summaries (3+ conversations) and what you learned in these conversations

4.  Reflection of the lessons learned

5.  Action steps to build relationship with new contact

NETWORKING REFLECTION !

NETWORKING REFLECTION ASSIGNMENT !

Requirements:

Submit to TurnItIn by 11:59pm

Due Tuesday November 8th @ 11:59pm

Refer to course blog for FAQ

Minimum 1 pages

1.  Check out the delegate info on the course blog

2.  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

3.  During the event, be interested without being creepy!

RESEARCHING CONTACTS !

NETWORKING MECHANICS !

Web to web Eye color

Name tag on right Smile J

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 Sarah.

•  Hi Sarah, it’s nice to meet you. My name’s Jacob. Show you’re interested in talking to them •  Hi Jacob 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

•  OR use body language to show your interest Start the conversation – Ask a question, have them talk about themselves, bring up current events, 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?

CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION !

Be careful to monopolize

peoples time

Identify commonalities

Listen for facts, feelings, & key

information

Ask open ended questions &

follow up questions

Introduce others & update them

on the conversation

“You have 2 ears and 1 mouth for

a reason…”

GRACEFUL EXITS !

Ask to connect after the event

Spend 5-15 minutes with one

person

Leave with a handshake

Excuse yourself “It was nice to meet you.

This has been a great chat, thank you”

Hi Jacob, I t was so great to get the chance to speak with you at last night’s networking event. I was real ly inspired by what you said about “bui lding your personal brand”, and I am looking forward to putt ing your advice into practice. I would love to continue our conversation about your experience at KPMG. I understand that you are very busy, but i t would be great to meet for about 20 minutes. Would you be avai lable to meet on Monday or Tuesday next week? Coffee is on me! Thank you, Sarah Brennan

FOLLOW UP !

Keep the convo going! Send a personalized email or Linkedin request (maybe asking for an information interview)

GET EXCITED! !

•  Asking questions and not listening to the answer

•  Asking rapid-fire questions so no one else can

speak

•  When a person’s outfit is distractingly

unprofessional

•  When students only talk about their option

choices or career path!

o  try connecting over a common interest beyond work and

school

NETWORKING EVENT PET PEEVES !

•  Eat dinner beforehand

•  Do some research on the delegates, but don’t get

consumed in stalking every LinkedIn profi le

•  Have a few interesting questions / topics to chat about

ready to go. How do you want to be remembered?

•  Dress classy and comfortably

•  When all else fails, f ind a 202 TA and we’ll help you join a

circle

•  Head to an area that is less packed

•  Manage your energy – take a breather if you need it

NETWORKING EVENT PRO TIPS !

ACTION ITEMS !

1. Networking Event on Nov. 3 @ 6-8pm

2. Networking Reflection due Nov. 8 @ 11:59pm

3. Lecture Next Week