Networking 101

Step One:   Who do I know?

1.    Employment (past, present: list associates and
       managers)
2.    Education (classmates, sports, fraternities,
       sororities, professors, administrators, staff)
3.    Friends (list all friends, where they work, what
       they do)
4.    Special interest (list all people you know
       through a hobby)
5.    Professional (list doctors, dentists, insurance
       agent, etc.)
6.    As a customer (people you do business with as
       a customer)
7.    Community and Church leaders
8.    Clubs or social groups (list organizations to
       which you belong and their members)
10.  Neighbors (list who you know, where they work)
11.  Family members

Step Two:  Secondary Sources

Contact trade professional organizations for job banks, membership directories, newsletter listings, etc. If you are not a member of these organizations, join! Obtain lists of company contacts from the Career Center.

Step Three:  Informational Interviews

After doing steps one and two, you now have two lists of people. Step one provides you with a list of everyone you know. Everyone on this list should be contacted either in writing, by phone, or in person to let them know you are looking for a new position. Ask each one for at least one referral. Step two provides you with a list of possible candidates for informational interviewing. Review each list and decide who to contact based on your job industry preferences.

When you have decided whom to contact, you can set up the interviews over the phone. When you call to make an appointment, be very clear that you are interested in learning more about a particular field or industry. Explain that you are in the process of developing a job search strategy and would like some expert advice.

Follow-up your interview with a thank-you letter. Make sure the interviewer knows how much you appreciate the time and effort he or she expended on your behalf. Continue to keep in touch with this person. Make sure to let him/her know when you are successful in getting the job you want, again thanking him/her for their part in your job search.

Informational Interview Questions

1.    What are the most interesting aspects of your
       job?
2.    How long does it usually take to move from one
       step to the next in this career path?
3.    What is the top job this career?
4.    What are the prerequisites or jobs in this
       field?
5.    What entry-level jobs qualify a person for this field?
6.    What types of training do companies give to
        people entering this field?
7.    What aspects of a career in this field do you
       consider particularly positive and negative?
8.    What special advice would you give a person
       entering this field?
9.    Is there demand for people in this field?
10.  How do you see the field changing over the next
        two years?
11.  How can I prepare myself for the change?
12.  What kind of college work experiences could
       help me prepare for this field?
13.  What goes on in a typical day at this position?
14.  Is there anybody else with whom you would 
       recommend I talk with to gather further 
       information?