Networking

WHAT IS NETWORKING?

Networking is establishing relationships with people who will often become your friends and community of colleagues as you go through your career.

. A networking contact might result in any of the following:

  • Inside information on what's happening in your field of interest, such as an organization's plan to expand operations or release a new product.
  • Job search advice specific to your field of interest, like where jobs are typically listed.
  • Tips on your job hunting tools (i.e. resume and/or portfolio).
  • Names of people to contact about possible employment or informational interviews (see below).
  • Follow-up interview and possible job offer.

Developing your network is easy because you know more people than you think you know. Consider:

  • family, friends, roommates, and significant others 
  • faculty and staff, fellow students, and alumni
  • past and present co-workers
  • neighbors
  • club, organization, and association members
  • people at the gym, the local coffee house, and neighborhood store
  • people in your religious community

These people are all part of your current network, professional and personal. Keep an on-going list of the names and contact information of the people in your network. 

How to Network? (Provided by LinkedIn)


How to network 1
How to Network



Suggested questions for starting conversations:

● Hello my name is___, how are you today?

● How are you affiliated with UD and what brought you to this event?

● What is your role in ______ organization?

● How did you come to work for ________ organization?

● What is one of your favorite things about your job?

● How do you think most employees would describe your workplace? 

● Is there anyone else with whom you recommend I connect with?

Suggested phrases for leaving conversations:

● It’s been great talking with you. Would you be open to a follow-up meeting when you next come to campus?

● I appreciate your time & would like to keep in touch. May I have your contact info?

● Thanks for your time. Can I send you a LinkedIn invitation to further connect?


What is an Information Interview?

An informational interview is a meeting to learn about the real-life experience of someone working in a field or company that interests you. It's not a job interview, so it's important to keep focused on getting information, not a job offer.

Questions To Ask During An Informational Interview

Select questions that are appropriate for your target career field and stage of decision-making. You can ask about such topics as the nature of a person’s work, how to get started in the field, or effective approaches for the job search. Use some of the following questions or make up your own.

  • What are your main responsibilities as a...?

  • What is a typical day (or week) like for you?

  • What do you like most about your work?

  • What do you like least about your work?

  • What kinds of problems do you deal with?

  • What kinds of decisions do you make?

  • How does your position fit within the organization/career field/industry?

  • How does your job affect your general lifestyle?

  • What current issues and trends in the field should I know about/be aware of?

  • What are some common career paths in this field?

  • What kinds of accomplishments tend to be valued and rewarded in this field?

  • What related fields do you think I should consider looking into?

  • How did you become interested in this field?

  • How did you begin your career?

  • How do most people get into this field? What are common entry-level jobs?

  • What steps would you recommend I take to prepare to enter this field?

  • How relevant to your work is your undergraduate major?

  • What kind of education, training, or background does your job require?

  • What skills, abilities, and personal attributes are essential to success in your job/this field?

  • What is the profile of the person most recently hired at my level?

  • What are the most effective strategies for seeking a position in this field?

  • Can you recommend trade journals, magazines or professional associations which would be helpful for my professional development?

  • If you could do it all over again, would you choose the same path for yourself? If not, what would you change?

  • I’ve read that the entry-level salary range for this field is usually in the range of ______? Does this fit with what you’ve seen? (Don’t ask about the person’s actual salary.)

  • What advice would you give someone who is considering this type of job (or field)?

  • Can you suggest anyone else I could contact for additional information?

 Employment Links | Networking