Experts say eighty percent of all jobs are landed through networking. Thus, networking is a skill well worth learning and developing. It is an excellent way to begin making contacts, gain information about career options, and meet professionals in your career field.

Process

Be Flexible

As you move through the stages of your job search, you will need to adapt your networking approach, re-identify your alternatives, and adjust your resume to reflect your skills in the particular career field in which you are networking.

Reach Out

Start with friends, relatives, and acquaintances. Talk to these contacts about any firms or companies you may be interested in or any specialty areas of practice.  Let them know you are researching employers to begin your job campaign.  Any suggestions they might have can be helpful.  Approach your professors about their ideas for your job search.  Present them with your research and initial preparation of a resume and cover letter, and ask their advice as experts in the field.  If you begin your contact with a faculty member by showing how much work you already have expended, he or she will be more inclined to spend time with you brainstorming about ideas and thinking of creative approaches to your job search.

Career Services Office:  Make an appointment with the CSO to discuss other possible contacts.  We may be able to connect you with alumni or other friends of UDSL who are in the geographical or practice area in which you are interested.

Informational Interviews

Never Ask for a Job

When you ask someone to share their time and expertise, you must respect their willingness to help by not asking them to find you a job.  YOU are responsible for finding your job and will be respected in return for your professionalism when you ask for insight and advice rather than a handout.  However, it is perfectly fine to ask if the alum knows of anyone who is hiring.  Early in your meeting, emphasize that you do not expect to learn of a job opening, but are simply seeking information and advice on how to best use your abilities and experience.

Prepare your thoughts regarding what types of information you would like them to share with you.  Be ready to discuss your goals, accomplishments, and abilities.  Be concise and factual.  The more concrete you are, the better your contact will be able to share appropriate information. Prepare questions and observations about the career field that your contact can discuss.  He or she is the expert and will enjoy sharing his/her insights and expertise.  Work at making this an enjoyable experience for both of you so that you will be remembered favorably.

Ask for Other Resources

At the conclusion of your meeting, thank the person you are talking to and ask if he or she can suggest two or three other people who might be willing to share their insights in a similar manner.  Ask your contact if you can use his or her name when contacting these people.  This tends to open more doors.   Send a thank-you note immediately after the interview.