Cultivating Professional Connections Center...Cultivating Professional Connections. Tips for...
Transcript of Cultivating Professional Connections Center...Cultivating Professional Connections. Tips for...
© 2018 Brigham Young University-Idaho 0© 2018 Brigham Young University–Idaho
Cultivating Professional ConnectionsTips for SuccessBarbara Thompson, CPRW, CEIP | CBC Career Preparation Coordinator | [email protected]
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“Networking is about building mutually beneficial relationships
before you need them.”~Mary Abbajay, CareerStone Group
Click Here
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Tip 1: Start Early
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Previous Employment:o Intel | Capital Capacity Manager
o Beat out 2-3 other finalists who had master’s degrees in Supply Chain
o BYU-I Supply Chain Society | Pres & Treasurero Networked & strategized w/Mike Clark and others
o Zion Ponderosa | General Manager Interno BYU-Idaho IBC | Vendor Relations Specialist
o Networked with 150+ vendors within 4 weekso BYU-Idaho | Career Preparation Mentoro Zion Ponderosa | Recreation Intern
Jordan RabeSupply Chain Emphasis | 2010
Intel | Global Commodity Manager
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The majority of very large companies recruit at schools based on:
• Proximity to company’s major recruiting teams
• Students’ willingness to go anywhere• School rankings• How diverse the campus is
What does this mean for you?Source
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Tip1: Start Leveraging Resources Now
In-Person Resources BYUI-SponsoredOnline Resources
Non-BYUI Online Resources
BYU-Idaho Societies Business & Comm LinkedIn groups
DegreedMeasure Your Skill-Sets &
Learn from Leaders in Your Field
Internship Expeditions BYU-Idaho LinkedIn groups KnackConnect w/Employers
Who Want Your IQ
Internship MissionariesGet Help Finding a Job/Internship
Internship Service MissionariesGet Help Finding a Job/Internship
PymetricsConnect w/Prestigious Employers
Who Want Your IQ
Applied Learning ProjectsGain Real-World Experience
HandshakeFind Jobs, Internship, & Events
Parker DeweyConnect w/Employers Through
Paid Micro-internships
On-Campus Employer Workshops
See ‘Events’ Tab in Handshake
BYU-I Connect
Freelance Platforms
Find a Mentor PortfoliumResearch Your Industry | Expand Your
Network | Showcase Your Relevant Projects
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Step 2: ‘Informational Interview’ Your Way to Success
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Informational interviews done well are a great way to job search before you actually need a job
Tip 2: Informational Interview Your Way to Success
See Christopher Galbraith networking
story and apply principles to your situation
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How to Reach OutMr. Sanders:
I am a finance major and IT minor at BYU-Idaho and received your name and email address from Barbara Thompson.
I am currently researching several career pathways with cutting-edge tech companies. I would relish the chance to learn from the knowledge and insights you gained while working with Google and Credit Suisse.
When it is convenient for you, would you have a few minutes for me to ask you some questions about how I can best prepare to one day make innovative contributions in Silicon Valley?
Thank you for considering my request.
Best Regards,
Garrett Smith555.555.5555
Other Tips for Introducing Yourself(1) Subject Lines That Get Your Email
Opened(2) Asking for Help w/o Being Awkward(3) Meaningful Introductions at an Event(4) Better Ways to Answer “What Do You
Do?”(5) Elevator Pitches That Keep People
Talking to You(6) Socializing at Work When Alcohol Is
Not Your Thing
Email Version
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How to Reach Out
LinkedIn MessageMr. Sanders:
I am exploring career pathways with cutting-edge tech companies and would love to learn about the knowledge and insights you gained at Google.
May I ask you some questions about how I can prepare to one day make innovative contributions in Silicon Valley?
Thank you.
Garrett Smith555.555.5555
Other Tips for Introducing Yourself(1) Subject Lines That Get Your Email
Opened(2) Asking for Help w/o Being Awkward(3) Meaningful Introductions at an Event(4) Better Ways to Answer “What Do You
Do?”(5) Elevator Pitches That Keep People
Talking to You(6) Socializing at Work When Alcohol Is
Not Your Thing
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How to Prepare
1. Research the professional & the companyo Check out their positive headlines from LinkedIn, company
website, McKay Library databases, open source databases (ie, glassdoor.com), etc.
o Google headlines about company to be aware of any negative or controversial topics to avoid
2. Get your resume and digital profile in good shapeo Get them ‘vetted’ by a trusted professional
3. Come prepared to answer:o Tell me about yourself.o What appeals to you about our company?o What areas of this industry appeal to you?
4. Come with list of appropriate, powerful questions
See ‘The 2-Hour Job Search’ by
Steve Dalton for more details
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1. Company Websites & LinkedIn-Follow companies and connect with recruiters-Alumni search-Join relevant LinkedIn groups (follow companies)-Follow/connect employees from companies of interest on Degreed
2. BYU-Idaho Sponsored Career Events with Employers-Career Fairs -Company Info Sessions-HUB Expeditions
3. Handshake-Company Info-Employer Contacts-Current & past job descriptions-Click here for Handshake Power User Guide
4. Glassdoor.com
5. BYU-I Connect6. BYU-Idaho Library Business Databases (Business Source Premier, Vault, Mergent Intellect, Mergent Online, IBISWorld, etc.)
Audience Research Resources
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What to Bring
See ‘The 2-Hour Job Search’ by
Steve Dalton for more details
o Hard copies and PDF version of your polished resume (just in case)
o Peno Professional notebooko Yourself (on time, well-groomed, dressed
appropriately)
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What You Should AskSee ‘The 2-Hour Job Search’ by
Steve Dalton for more details
1. What attracted you to this career?2. What previous experiences prepared you most for this role?3. What is one thing you wish somebody would have told you
before going into this field?4. What are some of the biggest rewards of your position?5. How would you describe somebody who excels in this career?
o What strengths and weaknesses do they have?6. How would you describe somebody who does not excel in this
career?o What strengths and weaknesses do they have?
7. What are the biggest challenges you face in this type of work and how do you tackle/manage them?
8. What advice do you have for breaking into and continuing to succeed in this field?
9. What would you do if you had to start over?
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What You Should Ask
See ‘The 2-Hour Job Search’ by
Steve Dalton for more details
Most Important Question:
o What keeps you up at night about your job? Why?
o How can I prepare to be the kind of professional who can solve these types of problems?
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Conducting the Interview
See ‘The 2-Hour Job Search’ by
Steve Dalton for more details
o Lead off by framing the interviewer as the expert
o How is your day going so far?o What projects are you working on right now?o Comment on a success from the interviewer’s
LinkedIn profile or the company website
1. Spend 5 Minutes Building Rapport
Other Helpful Tips:o Making Small Talk Easiero 30 Networking
Conversation Starters
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See ‘The 2-Hour Job Search’ by
Steve Dalton for more details
Conducting the Interview . . .
2. Use the TIARA ApproachTrendsInsightsAdviceResourcesAssignments
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By Steve Dalton, The 2-Hour Job Search, p. 175
The TIARA Approach
Trendso What trends are most impacting your
business right now?o How has your business most changed
since you started?o How do you think your business will
change most dramatically in the next several years?
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By Steve Dalton, The 2-Hour Job Search, p. 177
The TIARA Approach
Insights (Questions about their personal successes)
o What surprises you most about your job/employer?o What’s the best lesson you’ve learned on the job?o What’s been your most valuable experience with your
employer so far, and why?o If you had to attribute your success with your employer
to one skill or trait, what would it be? o Is that trait shared by many across the firm, or is it
unique to you?
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By Steve Dalton, The 2-Hour Job Search, p. 181
The TIARA Approach
Adviceo My strengths and interests center around _____________.
Do you have any thoughts about where that might fit in this industry? Or in a company similar to yours?
o What can I do right now to prepare myself for a career in this field? How can I strengthen my resume?
o If I got hired, what should I be sure to do within the first thirty days to ensure I get off to the best start possible?
o What do you know now that you wish you would have known when you were my age or in my position?
o If you were me, what would you be doing right now to maximize your chance of breaking into this industry or function?
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By Steve Dalton, The 2-Hour Job Search, p. 182
The TIARA Approach
Resources (Demonstrates sincerity of interest)
o How do you stay current in your industry?o Daily, weekly, monthly, annually?
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By Steve Dalton, The 2-Hour Job Search, pp. 188-89
The TIARA Approach
Assignments
o Gain understanding of vernacular and high-value work of the industry What projects have you done for your employer that you
felt added the most value? Have any projects increased in popularity recently at your
organization? Have you had interns or contractors in the past? If so,
what sort of projects have they done?
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After the Interview
See ‘The 2-Hour Job Search’ by
Steve Dalton for more details
o Send a thank-you note within 48 hourso This is a good-will thing on their end;
acknowledge this
o Set a monthly reminder to follow-up on that conversationo Re-cap the advice they gave you from the
conversation, mention how it has benefitted you, and then ask for further advice Other Helpful Tips:
o Thank You Note Templateso Making Following Up Less
Awkwardo Sending Holiday Cards to
Your Networko When a Person Forgets
That You’ve Already Met
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Step 3: Pay it Forward
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Tip 3: Pay It Forward
o Pay attention to needs of those in your network and respond appropriately when you’re in a position to do so
o Be a mentor to other BYU-Idaho students