Developing Your Professional Network

What is networking? Networking is the action or process of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts.

Connecting with new people in person can be exhilarating and/or exhausting depending on your personality. Regardless, you should take the opportunity to develop and build your network. You never know who you might meet at the event!

Networking is simply a conversation! While there is a time and place for a more formal “pitch” most often you will be at an event and chatting with a variety of people from different backgrounds. Be ready to talk a bit about yourself including your university, major, career interests/goals, and an interesting fun fact.

Your network can be faculty, peers, your internship supervisor, colleagues, former coworkers, students from other schools, and alumni.

Where can I network?

Why should I use LinkedIn?

LinkedIn is a social network. The more you engage with others, the more they are likely to engage with you!

It's about “who you know” right? So don't overthink it - connect with who you know! You can connect with peers, faculty, current or former coworkers, guest speakers, recruiters, professionals, and alumni.

Explore jobs in your field and learn about career paths by viewing profiles of others in your field of interest

Network with Temple alumni and build your network

Research people, recruiters or professors, before meeting them for interviews

Stay on top of current events and updates with employers and your network

Share articles or personal insights regarding current topics

Share your thoughts and ideas by engaging in conversation

Learn new skills with LinkedIn Learning

Be vocal about your career goals and your professional development

Learn more about how to optimize your LinkedIn profile here.

What is a networking event?

We recently had a student ask this question, “I hear this blanket term, networking event, all the time. What exactly is a networking event?”

A very smart panelist answered, “Pretty much every social event you attend in your life.” This was a very accurate answer as students can be networking in class, at the library, during your internship, at a musical or dance performance, a comedy club, and more. You never know who you might meet that could provide information or become a future contact. However, some of the most common places for more formalized networking can include career fairs, employer events, professional organization meetings, conferences, and alumni or work events.

Helpful Hints

Informational Interviews

Informational interviews are exactly what they sound like, you interview someone to get information! They can be used to explore career options and expand your network. You can ask people in your network for informational interviews, or you can ask them to recommend others you should speak about a career path or industry. Approach someone for an informational interview via email or a LinkedIn connection request, among other outreach. Be sure to indicate that you are asking for 20-30 minutes of their time to discuss their experiences in their job or career field. You may be chatting with this person via phone or video platform, be prepared to chat with this person via phone or a video platform.

How do I request an informational interview?

Include a brief introduction about yourself
Indicate why you are writing to this individual
State your interests or experiences in the person's field, organization or location
Why you would like to converse. Be straightforward; tell them you are asking for information and advice.
Always include a sentence about how and when you will contact this person again.

For a list of sample questions to ask during an informational interview click here.

Phone/Virtual Platforms

These days, Digital communication platforms like Zoom and Teams are widely used and provide a face-to-face experience from anywhere. Be prepared to make a great impression and be your authentic self.

Tips for your phone/virtual conversation

Make sure that you are in a location with good service and internet connection.
If you have scheduled a phone call, be sure to initiate the conversation at the precise time.
Answer with a greeting such as, "Hello, this is Joe Smith.”
Avoid distractions and surrounding noises. It is important that both you and the person(s) on the other line can clearly hear and understand what is being said.
Do not eat, type, or participate in any other activities while on a call. This includes driving! Offer the individual your complete attention.
Talk slowly and clearly to ensure that you are being understood.
If meeting on a video conferencing platform, make sure your background is not distracting and you are well lit.
Always remain professional. Even if you are feeling relaxed and comfortable with the person on the other line, it is important to remember that this is a professional conversation.

Email

We often type out a quick email on our phones and hit send without much thought behind the content. However, colleagues and future employers may not take you seriously if you are not able to communicate in a professional manner, thus, they may not even consider meeting with you or helping you.

Tips for crafting emails

Make sure you are using a professional email address.
Do not use shorthand abbreviations such as "lol", "yo", "u", "you guys,” emojis, or other slang.
Make sure that you check all spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
Include a salutation, closing, and signature.
Review your email prior to sending it and put yourself in the recipient’s shoes. How might they interpret your phrasing?
Be mindful of the content you share. Once you have emailed something, it is available for anyone.

Make an appointment with a Career Coach about creating the best LinkedIn presence, interview preparation, and more!

Career Center

Developing Your Professional Network

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Career Center

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