Networking is simply developing connections with and getting information from individuals of interest. The process is no different than trying to find out about a movie or a good place to go for dinner. You ask around and, sooner or later, you find someone who can provide the information you seek. In this case, you are seeking guidance and support in the job search process.

Networking is an important professional activity because it is an exchange of information. The most successful networkers view the process as the building of a relationship and not a transaction. When you develop a networking contact, you may not have any pertinent information to share with them immediately. However, you can always offer your help in the future, especially if they are looking to understand current student trends or identify potential candidates.

Possible networking contacts include:

• Family, friends, and neighbors
• Your friends’ parents and your parents’ friends
• Bates, NESCAC, and other alumni (see LinkedIn guide)
• Faculty, advisors, staff members
• Your classmates and former classmates
• Coaches and teammates
• Former teachers, employers, and co-workers
• Members of professional, community, religious, political, or social organizations
• Human resources and talent acquisition representatives

• Decide what industry/field, organization, division, and/or role you are going to target; make sure you can clearly explain your interests and goals.
• Make a list of your primary contacts. Do not eliminate people because they do not seem to be in the right industry/field. They might know someone who is. These referrals will be secondary contacts.
• Email your contacts, be specific about what you are looking for, and ask if they know anyone who can help you with advice, information, or referral (i.e., note to human resources or talent acquisition regarding your candidacy).
• Keep adding to your network list. Your goal is to talk to anyone who is in a position to influence, guide, or support your job search.
• It is critical to move from your network into your contacts’ networks. End every conversation with a request for additional industry, organization, division, and/or role contacts that may be able to provide additional guidance and support.
• Attend employer events and cultivate a relationship with the company’s human resources and talent acquisition representatives.

1. Develop a firm grasp of job search basics. These include: researching industries, organizations, and roles; writing effective resumes and cover letters to highlight your related academic/work experiences and projects; and polishing your interview skills.
2. Conduct a self-assessment. Talk to your career counselor about exercises and tools that are available. Research job descriptions, company websites, and industry guides to see what opportunities exist and what roles appeal to you. Remember, you need to be able to communicate what you want and what you can offer when speaking with your contacts.
3. Decide how to organize your network. Create a spreadsheet to keep track of names, titles, email addresses, emails sent, responses received, conversations had, and notes on advice provided.
4. Communicate with your network. Initiate outreach and be sure to follow up your meetings with thank you notes. Remember to be assertive, not aggressive, and always be clear about your reasons for outreach. For example, to learn about: industry trends, organizational culture, divisional priorities, or role expectations/responsibilities (i.e., a day in the life).
5. Initiate informational interviews (often colloquially referred to as “coffee chats” despite the potential lack of coffee – see Informational Interviewing section). They are called informational interviews because you are not actually interviewing for a specific role. One of the best ways to gain more information about an occupation, profession, or industry – and to build a network of contacts in a field – is to talk with people who currently work in that field. The purpose of the informational interview is to obtain information and explore career options, not necessarily to get a job. However, your goal should always be to leave the most positive impression, especially since anyone and everyone has the potential to put in a good word for you.

• Remember: You are not asking for a job. Some contacts may be resistant if you approach them with the singular intent of obtaining a job in their organization. They may not be in a position to offer you a position. Instead, your goal should be to secure advice, information, and referrals in the industries or organizations you have targeted. For example, you could articulate: “I realize that it can be challenging to break into this industry or organization. Do you have any advice on the best approach?”

• Do not worry about intruding on people. Most people are flattered by requests for help or guidance. If they are too busy to connect, they will either not respond or let you know. If you have reached out twice within 3-4 weeks with a response, you may want to let the contact go for a while before you return to them.

• Spend time preparing questions. Take time to come up with good questions that will inform you whether or not a particular industry, organization, and/or role is worthwhile to pursue. See “Informational Interviewing” section for suggested questions to ask.

• Use the opportunity to learn as much as you can. This process of information-gathering will prepare you for actual job interviews.

• Leverage existing contacts to open doors to additional contacts. The goal of networking is to talk to as many people as possible. Use your primary contacts to make connections with secondary contacts in your field of interest and/or potential decision-makers. For example, you could articulate: “Jason Ladder suggested I contact you to inquire about ABC and seek advice on XYZ.”

• Be certain to follow up on every lead you get and acknowledge your appreciation for the assistance that you receive.

• Develop a tracking system (i.e., Excel spreadsheet) to keep yourself organized. Use it to plan additional follow-up and outreach to new contacts.
• Draft an elevator pitch. You never know whom you may run into in an elevator and/or engage with briefly in conversation. This is why you need to craft a well-designed elevator pitch, which is a brief telling of your story that you use to spark others’ interest in you (or your organization or your work).

1. Identify the objective of your pitch. For example, do you want to connect your academic, athletic, or internship experiences to a career? Do you have a skill or area of expertise that might be of interest to your contact? Do you want to explore a specific job, organization, or industry? Your objective will determine the elements and delivery of your pitch.
2. Explain who you are, what you value, and what you do. Your elevator pitch should describe your background, interests, values, and experiences. Talk about how you approach your academic or career exploration. Share some details about your academic pursuits, volunteer work, or on-campus involvement.
3. Communicate your uniqueness by way of your story. Your elevator pitch needs to communicate your uniqueness relative to other students. Highlight what makes you, your skills, and/or your personality unique. You want to convey how you stand out from others after you tell your contact what you are considering or exploring. Make sure that you are ready and able to answer any questions that your contact may have about your story.
4. Engage your audience in conversation. Once you have communicated your uniqueness, you should engage your contact by asking an open-ended question that encourages a meaningful conversation (not a short answer with a “yes” or “no”). For example, consider asking about their story or experiences.
5. Assemble the components of your pitch. Once you have crafted each section of your elevator pitch, assemble the components and run through your elevator pitch using a stopwatch. It should be no longer than 30 seconds. Otherwise, you risk losing your contact’s interest. However, you may want to have a version that is 1 minute long, and one that is 2-3 minutes long. Having different versions allows you to determine what pieces of your story are important to highlight based on context.
6. Practice your pitch until you can deliver it confidently. You should practice your pitch until it sounds natural and not robotic. The goal is to have a short and smooth version that leaves your contact with a memorable and positive impression of you.

Informational Interviewing is a very effective tool used for career exploration. It literally means that YOU interview someone to gather information that will help you explore opportunities, refine your career path, or break into your field of interest. You are not actually interviewing for a specific role. This type of networking will help you gather information about different careers, clarify your career goals, and expand your professional network. 

Once you have arranged an informational interview in person, via phone, or via Zoom, prepare a list that includes the questions that will be most helpful and interesting to have answered (based on your LinkedIn and web research on your contact, and your own needs and interests). For a typical 30-minute informational interview, prepare 10-12 questions, but prioritize the top 5 questions in case your contact provides lengthy answers. Leave extra time in case your contact is willing to speak longer than the designated block. At the very least, you will have time to process the conversation and send a thank you note immediately after with any follow-up questions.

ABOUT THEIR BACKGROUND – TRY TO REFERENCE YOUR RESEARCH

• Can you tell me about your background and career path?
• How did you get started in this type of work?
• What do you like best about your career/job/organization?
• What do you find most meaningful about your work?
• How well did your college experience prepare you for this job?

ABOUT THE JOB, INDUSTRY & CAREER PATH – TRY TO REFERENCE YOUR RESEARCH

• Can you describe a typical day or week on the job?
• Why did you decide to work for this organization?
• What can you tell me about the organizational culture?
• What skills/abilities are utilized in this occupation, profession, or industry?
• What other career fields do you feel are related to this work?
• What is the salary range for various levels in this field?
• What trends do you see for this industry in the next 3 to 5 years?
• What can you tell me about the employment outlook in this industry?
• What is a typical career path in this field or organization?

HOW TO GET A JOB – REVIEW THE CAREERS SECTION OF COMPANY WEBSITES

• How did you get your job?
• What is the best way to enter this occupation, profession, or industry? What are typical entry-level job titles?
• How important are grades/GPA for obtaining a job in this field?
• When I am ready to apply for a job in this organization, whom should I contact?

ADVICE & REFERRALS – BUILD A LIST OF GENERAL AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS

• Do you have any advice for someone interested in this field?
• Considering what you know about my skills and education, where might I fit in this field?
• What experience, paid or volunteer, would you recommend in order to be an ideal candidate?
• What other careers would you suggest I explore and research further?
• Based on our conversation today, what other people do you believe I should talk to? May I have permission to use your name when I contact them?
• Based on our conversation today, would you be willing to provide a referral to your organization? If not, is there anything in particular that I should work on?

• Do realize why networking is important. Only 5 to 25 percent of jobs are advertised, so you can find out about unadvertised openings through talking to as many people as possible and telling them you are looking for a job or internship.

• Do think creatively about where to find networking contacts. Friends, family, peers, previous employers, coaches, teachers, many others – you can find people to add to your network almost anywhere.

• Do join a professional organization in your field. Most organizations have student memberships, and some have job listings or networking events.

• Do volunteer or consider a temporary position with organizations of interest. Sometimes you can get a great view of the inner workings of an organization, or several, without the commitment.

• Do find a mentor. A mentor – a person who can guide you, help you, take you under their wing, and nurture your career quest – can be the most valuable kind of contact.

• Do come up with a system for organizing your network contacts and documenting advice provided during informational interviews.

• Do thank everyone who has been helpful to you. Send a handwritten or email thank-you note within a day of any informational interview or networking conversation. 

• Do celebrate and share your good news. Send updates to relevant networking contacts when you accept a job or graduate school offer.

• Do return the favor and pay it forward. When someone in your network contacts you for advice or mentorship, offer to help as best you can. It may be surprising, but someday Bates students will be reaching out to you in the same way you have reached out to others.