NETWORKINGPRESENTED BY: HEATHER WHITE

What is NETWORKING?

It is NOT: • Schmoozing• Begging for a job• Manipulating to get what you want

It IS:• Making connections• Genuine relationship building

• Creating and maintaining• Personal and professional• Mutually beneficial relationships

Networking

Networking lead to:

Contacts For Professional Development and Information Exchange

Career Planning And Strategy Professional And Personal

Encouragement Access And Visibility Jobs!

is Intentional

Connections to further your knowledge and exposure.

Purpose & Benefits

• Gain information and advice about a career field, industry or organization

• Learn more about possible job opportunities• Connect with people who are doing the things

you want to do• Referrals are safer and effective (for hiring

managers)

I can’t talk to people

Myth: I can’t bother people

Truth: Most people love talking about themselves

Myth: I don’t know anyone

Truth: Your network is quite large

You

Family

Family Friends

Professors

Former Coworkers

Former Students

Advisors

Peers

ClassmatesOrganizations

Service Providers

Clergy

Doctors

Dentist

Classmates

Parents

Friends

Having a Networking Mindset

• It is often unpredictable and can happen everywhere• There’s something you can learn from everyone• You don’t have to change your personality to network• Be open to how you can connect people in your

network• Valuing others will help you take interest in the other

person• Talking to others about your interests can make

networking fun• Professionalism helps

Make Connections

• Gator Nation• Gator Clubs• Affinity Groups• Professional

Organizations

The More SPECIFIC your networking request is the better your results.

ONLINE

Social Networking

Is Social Networking Real?

Networking Tips Introduce yourself and explain how you got their name.

Tell them you are RESEARCHING the ________ field/company, and asking for ADVICE, not a job.

Ask for a 20-30 minute meeting at their convenience, at their worksite, and assure them you know they are busy and you will be brief.

Phone: Ask if they are free to talk for a few minutes. If they’re not, ask for the best time to call back and be sure you actually call

them

Sample approaches: Telephone

Weak

Hi Mrs. Smith. My name is John Doe and I’ll be graduating this spring with my Ph.D. in Material Sciences. Someone in the department gave me your name. I was wondering if you knew of any jobs at your company.

StrongHi Mrs. Smith. My name is John Doe and finishing my doctoral work in material sciences at UF. I got your contact information from my professor, Dr. Brown. I am interested in speaking with you about your department and generally what kinds of research experiences you find important in the field. I was hoping I could schedule an appointment to talk to you in detail about this in the next couple of weeks…

Introducing Yourself:“Your 30 second commercial”

The 30-second version of your response to the: “Tell me about yourself” interview question

1. Who are you?

2. What are your major accomplishments/passions/skills?

3. What do you want/where are you going?

1. “Hi, I’m Marco Brown.

2. I’ll be receiving my PhD in Chemistry in April from UF and I interned last summer at GSK in the development lab. I’m also the vice president of UF’s honors society.

3. I’m currently seeking a pharmaceutical position in the Orlando area, which is why I’m here at this conference.”

1. “Hi, my name is Rob Smith.

2. I’m currently a senior at UF majoring in business with a minor in Chinese language. I spent last semester in Beijing, where I studied and had a really exciting internship with a small American marketing firm working with Beijing’s tourism agency.

3. I saw that your agency has added some Chinese clients lately, which is why I’m eager to apply for one of your internships.”

PRACTICE

1. Who are you? 2. What are your major

accomplishments/passions/skills? 3. What do you want/where are you going?

CREATING AN ACTION PLAN

1. List everyone in your network.

2. Who are you missing? How will you add these people?

3. Have you met anyone this weekend who you can connect to someone in your network? List as many as you can think of.

4. What are some organizations or professional associations that would be helpful to your career or your academic pursuits?

5. How can you use social media to assist you with networking?

6. Who is 1 person you can reach out to this week to network with?