Networking
LinkedIn Learning: College of Charleston students have free access to LinkedIn Learning courses!
- Log into myportal.cofc.edu with your g.cofc.edu email and password.
- Select LinkedIn learning from the Apps menu in the upper left corner of the page - it will be listed under "Other."
- Connect your LinkedIn account.
- Choose from a huge library of training courses and start learning!
Jump to:
What is networking and how will it help me?
How do I start building a network?
What questions should I ask them?
What do I do after making contact?
How do I craft an elevator pitch?
What is networking and how will it help me?
Simply stated, networking is relationship building. It is the process of making connections with people in order to gather information and expand your knowledge about a job, internship, career field, graduate school, and/or geographical areas.
The purpose of a network is to develop a professional support system to help you as you grow as a professional, which in turn, can help you support others in the future. It can also assist you in collecting information and resources about the job market and occupations, as well as develop job leads and referrals.
Making contacts with people can help you find a job, as most employers would rather hire someone they know or someone who was recommended by an acquaintance.
How do I start building a network?
There are multiple ways to begin building your network:
- Make a list of all (yes, all) the people you know. This can include relatives, neighbors, previous or current supervisors, faculty, fellow students, etc. (See Developing Your Network worksheet for help).
- Join online professional networking groups, such as LinkedIn, or professional student organizations. Information on how to get started with Linkedin.
- Attend career fairs to speak with recruiters from various companies and organizations. Here are some additional tips on how to network at a career fair.
Then what do I do?
Systematically contact these people to ask if they can refer you to someone who works in an occupation of interest to you, or if they can provide you with advice in conducting your job search.
Another method to tap the hidden job market is by making “cold calls.” You might contact the local Chamber of Commerce for employer listings, or obtain company information from the Career Center on companies where you would like to work.
Before you begin contacting people, decide what type of information you want from the contact, such as:
- Company information
- Information about the career field
- A referral for someone else who may be able to help you
- Advice on conducting your job search
How do I contact these people?
In many cases, you will want to set up a brief meeting, or informational interview, with the contact.
To do this, call or write to the individual and say something similar to, “Hello, my name is Laura Scott and (so and so) suggested I speak to you because I am interested in finding out more about the public relations field. Might you have some time to meet with me and provide me with some information on the industry?” If the answer is yes, arrange an appointment time for either a face-to-face or phone meeting. If the answer is negative, say, “Could you recommend someone else I could contact?” Then repeat the process.
Begin by calling or writing to the people on your list who you can talk to most easily. It does get easier with each call and/or e-mail!
Remember, an informational interview is not a job interview…but may bring you a job lead or referral.
Use the following suggestions when calling contacts and referrals to set up informational interviews:
- Write an outline of what you are going to say on the phone. This will help you be less nervous.
- If you are calling as the result of a referral, use the name of the person who referred you to begin the conversation.
- Mention that you need only about 20 minutes of the person’s time for the information interview.
- Express the need for a personal interview as opposed to a phone conversation.
- If someone sounds busy, he/she probably is. Ask if there is a better time to talk.
When you go to your informational interview, arrive early and dress appropriately. Write out questions you will ask in advance.
What questions should I ask during an informational interview?
During the informational interview, ask how the person got started, what they like and don’t like about their job, company, and industry. Ask for information about career opportunities in the field. Most important, ask who you should contact regarding possible opportunities. (But do NOT ask for an internship or job!) This referral information is the key to getting results.
Here are examples of questions to ask during an informational interview.
Remember, be organized. Keep records, including the date of every contact you make with every person. And take notes during the informational interviews.
What do I do after making contact?
- Send a thank you note immediately. Personalize your letter by referencing something from your conversation that was particularly helpful. This is not only courteous, but helps set you apart as a professional while keeping your network alive
- Reflect on the conversation. Review your notes to make sure the information is clear. Ask yourself: What did I learn from this interview (positive and negative impressions)? How does what I learned fit with my own interests, abilities, goals, values, etc.? What else would be helpful to know? What plan of action can I make?
- Contact people referred to you by the person you spoke with for the informational interview. Make sure to mention the mutual contact, as well as any particular reason why the person you originally spoke with though this new person might be helpful. Remember to abide by the above rules regarding timing, etiquette, and thank you notes.
- STAY IN TOUCH! Keep your contacts informed. If your original contact referred you to someone who was helpful, send him/her a quick note with that information. Likewise, if a particular resource or research avenue was fruitful, let the person know that as well.
How do I craft an elevator pitch?
An elevator pitch is a 60-second introduction of who you are as a professional, your experience, and what you are looking to accomplish. Use this worksheet to learn more and craft your elevator pitch!
Networking Resources