Roughly 80% of jobs are filled through personal connections and networking! This means 80% of your job search should revolve around utilizing your current network by maintaining relationships through regular communication and exploring new networking opportunities (e.g., conferences, professional meetings, alumni events). While online job searches are important, they should only consume 20% of your job-seeking energy.

Contents

Networking BasicsLinkedInThe Thirty-Second Spot or Elevator PitchBusiness CardsInformational InterviewsThank You Notes

Networking Basics

  • Be resume ready

  • Connect with people that you know on LinkedIn (professors, classmates, advisors, coworkers, etc.) and keep in touch

  • Use the Temple Alumni Association

  • Check out professional organization web sites for networking events or join a local chapter

Networking Tips

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is an excellent platform to showcase your talents, build a network, learn new skill sets, and advance your career. Effectively utilizing LinkedIn could help you pursue your career goals by opening opportunities to connect with others you wouldn’t often have the chance to meet.

Ways To Use LinkedIn:

  • Develop a profile that highlights your skills and interests
  • Connect with people in your professional circle
  • Share articles or personal insights regarding current topics
  • Share your thoughts and ideas by engaging in conversation
  • Learn new skills with LinkedIn Learning
  • Discover and research companies that you may like to work with
  • Be vocal about your career goals and your professional development

The Thirty-Second Spot or Elevator Pitch

This is an introduction to who you are and what you are looking for. Choose your words carefully—this is no time to wing it. How you represent yourself will determine if you get any further with this contact. Be short and concise, but add a specific instance to grab attention.

A Strong Thirty-Second Spot Should:

  • Begin with an indication of who you are and a characteristic that will set you apart from your cohort (e.g., Do you know someone affiliated with this person or organization?, Have you worked for a prestigious company?, Do you have a strong academic background?)
  • Contain the purpose of the conversation
  • Showcase the research you have done on the company
  • Feature your accomplishments and qualifications
  • Indicate how the person can assist you

Resources

Business Cards

  • Cards must include your name, telephone number, and e-mail.
  • Include an identifying detail to remind the recipient of who you are/information you are looking for. (This is especially important for experienced people with specific goals.)
  • Don’t go anywhere without them!
  • Use a business card holder - Don’t throw business cards in your purse or carry them in a rubber-banded wad or stuck in your wallet. Dirty business cards with dog-eared edges are turnoffs.
  • Don’t run out of cards. Don’t write your information on the back of someone else’s business card. If you do run out of cards, get their card and follow up by sending your own with your resume/cover letter.
  • Don’t ever give a business card with information scratched out from your last place of employment. It’s unprofessional and sloppy.
  • Don’t carry other people’s cards mixed with yours. You’re bound to waste time fumbling for your card and could accidentally give out theirs.

Informational Interviews

Informational Interviews 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 with whom you should speak about a career path or industry. Approach an informational interview request via e-mail, phone or mail. Be sure to indicate that you are asking the informational interviewee to provide you with 20-30 minutes of their time to discuss their experiences in their job or career field. Interviews are best held in person but can also take place via the phone. E-mail should be your last resort.

Your informational interview request should:

  • 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.

Informational Interview Resources

Thank You Notes

A thank you note is an important way to make yourself memorable and let someone know their time was valued after a networking meeting, function, or interview.

  • Always follow-up with an email within 24 hours of your phone call/ interview. If you have the option, a written note is a thoughtful gesture.
  • Get the names right and spell them correctly!
  • Thank them in specific terms by referencing an element of your conversation
  • Keep it short and focused
  • If appropriate, attach a copy of your resume

Samples

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