THE ART OF NETWORKING

CAREER RESOURCES CENTER

STUDENT AFFAIRS

THE ART OF NETWORKING• What is networking?

• Why is it important?

• How to network

• Developing your “Elevator Pitch”

• Informational Interviewing

WHAT IS NETWORKING?

NETWORKING

noun net·work·ing

1:  the exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions; specifically :  the cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business

WHY IT IS IMPORTANT?• Rich source of information and job leads

HOW TO NETWORK

• Know what you are looking for

• Build your base

• Start close to home• GSDM Career Fair• Volunteering• Professional Organizations• Alumni

• Informational Interviews

NETWORKING TOOLS• Business Card

• LinkedIn account

• Your Elevator Pitch

• Thank You notes

THE ELEVATOR PITCH• Selling yourself in 30 seconds…or less

• Practice…but not too much

• Do your research

• Firm handshake

• Eye contact

• Follow-up

INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWING• What is it?

• Informational interview vs. employment interview

• Who should schedule one?

• Why schedule one?

• Whom to contact?

• Start with email

• Introduce yourself• Name of person who referred you or how you found them• Why you are reaching out?• How much time are you asking for• Arrange a mutually convenient time

INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWINGDear Dr. Smith,

My name is Thomas Brady and I am a fourth-year dental student at Boston University Henry

M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine. Stacey McNamee from the Development and Alumni

Relations Office suggested that I get in touch with you. I will be graduating in May with my

DMD degree and will be relocating to the Washington, DC area.

I will be in Washington the week April 6th and would appreciate the opportunity to meet with

you briefly.

Please feel free to contact me at 617-555-5555 or via email at tbrady@gsdm.edu.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Kindest Regards,

Thomas Brady

GSDM Class of ‘15

INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWINGDear Dr. Chara,It was a pleasure meeting you at the Alumni Reception at the Yankee Dental Congress last Friday. I found our conversation about hockey very engaging.

I’m interested in pursuing a career in oral surgery and would appreciate the opportunity to speak with you briefly to learn about your experiences as an oral surgeon. Any advice that you could offer would be greatly appreciated.

Please feel free to contact me at 617-555-5555 or via email at gordon.howe@gmail.com.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Kindest Regards,Gordon HoweGSDM Class of ‘16

BEFORE THE INTERVIEW:- Use your time wisely

- Learn as much as you can

- Dress professionally

- Arrive 10-15 minutes before

DURING THE INTERVIEW- Restate your purpose and why are talking with this person

- Be prepared to initiate and guide the conversation

- Stick to the time request

- Ask for more referrals, professional organizations

- Do not ask for a job

INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWFocus Length of

timeTopics to ask about

Their Present 10 min Current job responsibilities; information about company/school they work for/own

Their Past 5-6 min Academic & professional background; how they got their job; the interview process; if they weren’t doing this job, what job would they like

Their Future 5-6 min What type of opportunities could open up in 5-10 years

Their Advice 5 min What people or organizations you should connect with; resources/activities to pursue

AFTER THE INTERVIEW- Send thank you note

- Send them request to connect on LinkedIn

- Consider your style of interviewing

- Evaluate the info you received

THANK YOUS• Essential to create and maintain connection

• Mention something you learned from them or something they helped you with

• Displays professionalism

• Keeps your name in front of them

• Email is fine, but handwritten note better

SAMPLE THANK YOU NOTE

Dear Dr. Smith,

I just wanted to write a quick note to thank you again for meeting with me on April 7th

and for providing me with some additional contacts as I begin my job search. After our

conversation, I have a better understanding of the job market in the DC area and will be

reaching out to Drs. Edelman and Wilfork soon.

I sincerely appreciate you taking the time out of your schedule to meet with mea and do

hope to keep in touch as I go through my job search.

Kindest Regards,

Thomas Brady

• American Dental Partners, Inc.• Aspen Dental • Bi-State Primary Care Association (NH/VT)

• Children & Family Dental Group• Dental Corporation • Dental Dreams• Destiny Dental• Eastern Dentists Insurance Company • Familia Dental• Gentle Dental Centers• Great Expressions Dental Centers• Heartland Dental• Hillcrest Dental Healthcare, Inc.• Jefferson Dental Clinics• Keystone Health• Kool Smiles• Lutheran Medical Centers• Massachusetts Dental Society• Medical Protective• US Air Force• US Army Health Care Team• Vermont State Dental Society

QUESTIONS?

gsdmcr@bu.edu

www.bu.edu/dental/students/careers