Post on 18-Jul-2015
Write Your Future
David Kafafian ‘13 Abby Williams ‘15
Networking Advice for Student Leaders from Student Leaders
February 7, 2015
A VIDEO…YAY!
Nike - Write The Future World Cup Advertisement
February 7, 2015
So…What does this have to do with
Networking?
Shout it out. It’s okay.
February 7, 2015
How would you define networking? What are the core skills it requires?
One more time. We’re all friends here.
February 7, 2015
Our Favorite Definitions
“The process of developing and activating your relationships to increase your business,
enhance your knowledge, expand your sphere of influence, or serve the community.”
– Dr. Ivan Misner, Found of BNI, the world’s largest business networking organization
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Our Favorite Definitions
“The exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions;
specifically, the cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business”
– Merriam-Webster Dictionary
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Our Favorite Definitions
“Building relationships with mutual benefit in mind.”
– Linda Lincoln, Lee Hecht Harrison Career Coach
(and David’s mom)
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Our Favorite Definitions
“Networking is about learning and helping others connect. If you’re successful, those you help will help you right back – that’s
networking!”
– Michael Goldberg, Founder, Knock-Out Networking, LLC
February 7, 2015
What We’ll Cover Today
1. Finding Your Purpose for Networking
2. Effectively Communicating
3. The Importance of Follow-Up 4. Resources to
Leverage NOW
5. Questions
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PURPOSE
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Purpose We think there are two general reasons
why people (or at least we) network:
1. To seek out specific information
2. It’s a small world
(Did anyone sing this is their head?)
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Quick show of hands: Who is confident they
know what they want to do after college?
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One more question: Should the students who just raised their hands
be the only ones networking?
Shout, nod your head, work with us here.
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Purpose One: Learning Regardless of whether you think you know what you want to do or not, you should be trying to learn.
A. Industry
B. Company or school
C. Specific position
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Building relationships
• Being a first year or sophomore is to your benefit here. Why you ask? ○ “Network before
you need something.”
• This is not networking !
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Remember our definition of networking has two parts
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Helping
• But Abby, we’re 18 and 19, how are we going to ‘help’ anyone?
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Purpose Two: You never know…
• Fun fact: If you’re connected with a couple of hundred of people on LinkedIn, your network has more than 2 MILLION people in it.
• Sometimes someone is interesting and you just want to keep in touch
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So now you might be thinking…
• Okay, I can find a purpose for networking, but that doesn’t mean I know how I’m going to do it… – How do I start? – What do I say? – What should I not say? – What if I say something stupid? – How do I keep the conversation going?
Are we right or are we right?
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COMMUNICATION
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My Favorite Tips 1. Know you audience
– Formal or Casual; Risk Taker or Risk Averse; Bold or Conservative
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My Favorite Tips
2. “I was wondering if you could help me…?”
1. Know you audience
– Formal or Casual; Risk Taker or Risk Averse; Bold or Conservative
February 7, 2015
My Favorite Tips
2. “I was wondering if you could help me…?”
3. Use lots of ‘We’ language
– We, as opposed to Me, subconsciously encourages collaborative conversations (and eventually collaborative relationships).
1. Know you audience
– Formal or Casual; Risk Taker or Risk Averse; Bold or Conservative
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And my favorite tip of all… When in doubt, remember that people like to talk about themselves.
– Remember when your mother told you, “You were born with two ears and one mouth for a reason” ?
– So ask questions. It can be as simple as: “That’s interesting, tell me more!”
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Quiz: What are the two major types of professional
communication?
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Email Communications In no particular order, some key things to remember when sending professional emails:
• Formal is better…at least to start
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In no particular order, some key things to remember when sending professional emails:
• Formal is better…at least to start
• Provide contact information for follow up
• Specific subject lines are crucial
Email Communications – cont’d.
February 7, 2015
Email Communications – cont’d. In no particular order, some key things to remember when sending professional emails:
• Formal is better…at least to start
• Provide contact information for follow up
• Specific subject lines are crucial
• Ask questions….it encourages follow up
• Proofread it
• Be honest. It’s an email. It’s in writing and always will be.
February 7, 2015
You don’t want to be these guys:
In-Person Communication
February 7, 2015
You don’t want to be these guys:
In-Person Communication
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What parts of in-person communication are most important to
leaving a positive and memorable impression?
You know the drill!
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In-Person Communication
1. Listen
– “Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.”
2. Clarity of Voice
3. Eye Contact
– Trix Cereal and Baby Smiles
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FOLLOW-UP
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Follow Up
1. Thank You’s
– In a CareerBuilder survey, 22% of employers reported they would not bother hiring someone who didn’t send a thank you note after the interview.
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Follow Up
2. Professional introductions following personal interactions
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Follow Up
3. Relationship Maintenance
– Keep it simple. Think articles you’ve read, shows you’ve seen, life events, etc.
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RESOURCES
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You can and will build your network everywhere you meet people
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Key Resources • Career Services • Alumni • Professors • Friends’ Parents • LinkedIn
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Keeping in touch • Reminds you when to get back in touch with your
connections • Tracks your past interactions • Monitors social feeds of connections • Provides templates for follow-up emails and initiating
contact • Create your FREE My Network account at
www.mynetwork.io.
February 7, 2015
If you only remember one thing about networking
from today, make it this…
See what we did there ;)
February 7, 2015
Questions? Thoughts?
Comments? Thank You.
Abby Williams ‘15 williaam@lafayette.edu
916-214-2103
David Kafafian ’13 dkafaf391@gmail.com
908-472-7777