NETWORKING M.

ALI ASIF
1. Activate and expand your network – Create a list of existing contacts in your
3 tips for social circles and start reaching out in person and online.
expanding your 2. Prepare your introduction - Practice talking about your skills, interests and career
professional Goals.
Maintain connections - Keep building strong connections throughout your search
network: 3. and your career.

Networking is essentially utilizing and building relationships to collect information and expand upon career and social
opportunities. It can help you gather helpful career information, uncover job opportunities, and provide a support
network throughout your career. Networking can seem intimidating, but you don’t have to be a schmoozer to gain
results. Most of us are networking every day in our interactions with classmates, professors, and co-workers, to name a
few. You can start by talking with people about your skills, interests, and career goals.

Part I: ACTIVATE AND EXPAND YOUR NETWORK

So, how do you network? You may think your network is limited right now, but you probably have more contacts than
you realize. The first step is to identify what contacts you already have in existing social circles, such as co-workers,
community members, neighbors, friends and family, and even SU alumni who you haven’t met yet! (See the next page
for a helpful exercise). There are a variety of ways to build and enhance your professional network.

Identify who is already in your network. How might they help you gather information, suggest additional resources,
and speak to your strengths? These contacts may eventually serve as a professional reference and can also provide
additional referrals to professionals in your field of interest.

Get connected to professionals in your field. This can be done online or in person, although making a personal
connection, if possible, is usually best. Consider exploring the following options to grow your list of contacts:

In person:
• Get involved in professional associations. Simply search online “Professional Association for ____” and input your
industry. These groups usually have networking events or conferences where you can meet other professionals.
Such events can be helpful opportunities to meet a variety of people, collect business cards, and gather current
information to better navigate the job market.
• After creating your list of contacts, set up lunch and coffee appointments or a phone conversation to ask questions
and make a stronger professional connection to your contacts. (See more on Informational Interviewing handout).
• Get involved – volunteer at a professional conference, help an organization with a special project, or find other
ways to mix and mingle with potential contacts.

Online:
• LinkedIn – LinkedIn is like Facebook for professionals. You can connect with colleagues, join the SU alumni group,
and be part of interest and professional groups. (See the LinkedIn handout for more information).
• Find online communities relevant to your field, like professional association websites or discussion boards. Also,
utilize the Career Services Weblink Library, found on our homepage under “Online Career Resources”.
 • Blogs – Search for blogs that are industry specific and discuss current trends, industry information, or even blogs
specific to employers of interest. If you are a blogger yourself, you already have connections to other bloggers who
you follow or who follow you.
• Connect with other professionals in social media forums like Facebook, Meetup, and Twitter.
Who is in your circle? Consider your network to be a series of circles, starting with the people closest
to you in the center and expanding out. Fill in each layer with ideas of who might be helpful to you during your
search – providing information, advice, connections to the field, or even a support system.

Employers of interest,
Professional Associations,
Volunteer organizations

Community groups, SU Alumni,

previous co-workers/supervisors,
Student Clubs

Neighbors, Classmates,
Professors, Co-workers

Family & Friends

(and their family and friends)

You
Part II: PREPARE YOUR INTRODUCTION
Develop a concise 10-15 second introduction that conveys your enthusiasm and relevant skills.

• Think about who your audience is – What do they value? What characteristics might they expect in a colleague
at their workplace?
 Share what you offer – Consider what sets you apart from other candidates. What are a few unique skills or
strengths worth mentioning that they would find valuable?
 Know what you are looking for – Be comfortable sharing an ambition or potential career direction/path, such as
a skill you hope to develop or the type of career you are seeking. Why is this important or exciting to you?
 Be willing to talk about how you would be an asset – For example, how you would be a team player, quick
learner, or bring a helpful knowledge base to the workplace?

Sample Pitch:

“Hi, my name is Rudy Redhawk, and I am currently a junior attending Seattle University. My major is in Strategic
Communications with a minor in Studio Art. Last summer I volunteered at the Seattle Aquarium and became
really interested in marketing and public relations work. Now I'm seeking an internship to learn more about
public relations in the art world. I have always had an interest in art and would really like to apply the skills I’m
learning from my major."

Now, you try it! .

My Audience: My unique skills and My goals and ambitions: How I might help this
Interviewer strengths: What to be successful in any employer:
Hard working field or make name in any By using my skills to
Good with numbers field. improve work quality
Good communication skills

My Pitch: A master in problem solving

HI, MY NAME IS Ali I am with numbers and have god
currently doing BBA from communication skills, I want
bahria university Islamabad make name in this field.
my major is in supply chain.
In last summer in got an
internship in Attock oil
company. I found this sector
very interesting so now I am
looking job in supply chain
department as have good
knowledge and skills of it
from my degree. I am very
good with problem solving
specially
“Networking” © 2014 by the SU Career Services Office and the Trustees of Seattle University. Unauthorized use, reproduction, or adaptation of this material is prohibited.
Part III: MAINTAIN CONNECTIONS Keep your contacts organized and continue building strong connections throughout
your search and your career.

Now that you’ve made a list of contacts, prepared your introduction, and reached out to connect (see Informational
Interviewing), you want to ensure that your efforts aren’t lost.
• Organize your contacts. Create a spreadsheet that details who you spoke with, when, key information they
provided, and how you followed up.
• Maintain contact every 2-3 months. Keep the connection fresh by sending them an update on your search,
relevant articles or links they may find useful, or connect with them at career events if possible. Follow
contacts on twitter or LinkedIn to stay up to date.
• At events, collect business cards and jot down notes on the back of each card to remind yourself of the
conversation and how you would follow up.
• Let each contact know how they were helpful. Did they connect you to another professional or give you a job
lead? Thank them and keep them in the loop.
• Consider being a mentor yourself. Remember that you can be a helpful resource to others. Nurture your
network by giving back to others who could benefit from your expertise or connections.

Tips for Successful Networking:

*Don’t assume you’re being a pest. Keep in mind that at the beginning, you already know most of your network contacts and
if you have a good relationship with them, they should be willing to help you. Also remember that your network contacts
probably had to network at one point in their lives to get where they are today so they understand the process you’re
experiencing.

*Assume that everyone is good at something. Practice active listening in your networking and be flexible and aware with
how someone might be able to assist you that you may not have expected at the beginning. Someone might spark your
interest in something new that you had not thought of before.

*Follow up. Show your appreciation to your network contact by sending them a personal thank you note after your
conversation. Follow up with your contact and let them know how your job or internship search is going. Consider sending
an invitation to connect on LinkedIn. Be persistent with your contacts, but try not to be annoying. Do what you say you’re
going to do.

*Establish new contacts. To build your network, ask your contact if they know of anyone else you should speak to in relation
to what you’re trying to accomplish. Make sure it is ok to use their name when contacting people they recommend to you.

*Stay motivated, positive and persistent. Networking can be challenging and you may not get the results you want right
away. Assume that people are busy and it’s not that they don’t want to talk to you. Try to remain confident and with enough
hard work and determination, something will eventually come along.

*Remember that networking is about building relationships. Be honest and genuine in dealing with people. Seeking out
ways to help and support others is a great way to strengthen and develop your relationships and to build a positive
reputation. Networking shouldn’t stop after you secure a position and can become part of your daily routine.

Visit us online and in person!

Career Advisors are available for 15 or 30 minute appointments Monday through Friday.
Call, email or request an appointment online.
For Express Advising times visit: www.seattleu.edu/careerservices
Career Services (206) 296-6080
Seattle University careerservices@seattleu.edu
James C. Pigott Pavilion for Leadership, 110 www.seattleu.edu/careerservices