5. Networking Event + Reflection
SAVE THE DATE:
COMM202 Networking Event
Thursday, March 10th from 6-8PM
10
• Alumni, senior students, and local professionals convening
for an evening of networking with this semester’s COMM 202
students
• Excellent opportunity to practice and refine your networking
skills and learn more about how to make the most of your
time at Sauder!
6. Reflection Paper
• 10% of your final grade
• Due Monday March 14th
• Minimum of one page
• Submit to Turnitin by
11:59PM
• Your goals in attending the event
• What is your purpose in going? Define SMART goals
beforehand
• How did you prepare for the event (research
potential delegates)?
• A brief summary of who you spoke with (3+
convos) and what you learned in the
conversations
• A reflection on the lessons you have learned
about the networking process
• Next steps you will take to continue building a
relationship with your new contact (if you plan
assignment requirements
7. Researching Contacts
• Be sure to check out the delegate info on the course blog
• Skim the LinkedIn profiles of delegates you’d like to speak
to
• Note any interesting topics you’d like to know more about
• Hone in on similar experiences or shared groups
• Think about questions to ask
• During the event, be interested without being creepy!
I had a chance to look at
your LinkedIn profile, and I
was really interested to learn
about…
8. Dressing the Part
The networking event is Business
Casual. What does that mean to
you?
9. For Ladies
• Dress pants, khaki pants,
dark denim, or skirts
• hemline just above your
knees or longer!
• Blouse, dressy tank with a
cardigan or blazer, or
collared shirt
• avoid spaghetti strap tops
• Flats or low heels
10. For Guys:
• Dress pants, nice
khakis, or dark denim
• Collared shirt
(patterned or plaid is
fine!), jacket if you like
• Dress shoes or loafers
14. The Approach
Avoiding the awkward:
• Don’t interrupt. When joining
a networking circle, wait for a
lull in the conversation.
• Never have food and a drink,
you need a free hand to shake!
• Go with a wingman! But not a
Siamese twin
15. Introduction
Just simply say hi!
• Hi, my name’s Michael!
• Hi Michael, it’s nice to meet you. My name’s Andy.
Show you’re interested in talking to them
• Hi Andy, it’s great to meet you as well. I was actually hoping to chat
with you this evening as I noticed on your LinkedIn profile that
you…and I would love to hear more about your experience.
Start the conversation. Ask a question / have them talk about
themselves / Stay positive
• Do you have any advice for students…looking to make the most of
their time at Sauder? …looking for a career in your field?
16. Continuing the Conversation
LISTEN!
• Be careful not to monopolize peoples’ time
• Listen for facts, feelings, free information and implied
statements
• Introduce others, tying them into the conversation
• Identify commonalities
• Ask open ended questions
17. The Graceful Exit
• Spend 5 to 10 minutes with one person; wait for a lull
• Excuse yourself kindly and assertively:
• “It was nice to meet you”
• “I’m glad you were here today. It’s been great chatting with you.
Thanks so much.”
• “I don’t want to monopolize all your time today. Thank you for
taking time to speak with me and I hope you enjoy the rest of the
event.”
• Shake hands and exchange cards or ask to connect (if the
conversation was meaningful)
19. The Follow-Up
After great conversations, send a personalized email or
LinkedIn request (or maybe an informational interview
request? )
Hi Sabrina,
It was so great to get the chance to speak with you at last night’s networking event. I
was really inspired by what you said about “building your personal brand”, and I am
looking forward to putting your advice into practice.
I would love to continue our conversation about your experience at YVR. I understand
that you are very busy, but it would be great to meet for about 20 minutes. Would
you be available to meet on Monday or Tuesday next week? Coffee is on me!
Thank you,
Michael Chang
21. Networking Pet-Peeves
1. Asking questions and not listening to the
answer
2. Asking rapid-fire questions so no one else
can speak
3. When a person’s outfit is distractingly
unprofessional
4. When students only talk about their option
choices or career path! Try connecting
over a common interest beyond work and
school
22. Networking Pet-Peeves
1. Eat dinner beforehand
2. Do some research on the delegates, but don’t get
consumed in stalking every LinkedIn profile
3. Dress classy and comfortably
4. Have a few interesting questions / topics to chat about
ready to go. How do you want to be remembered?
5. When all else fails, find a 202 TA and we’ll help you join
a circle
6. Head to an area that is less packed
7. Manage your energy – take a breather if you need it
24. Networking Locations
• Chance meetings
• (i.e. sitting beside
someone on an airplane)
• Facilitated events
• (company info sessions,
networking events)
• As a result of a direct
request (informational
interviews)
25. Why Informational Interviews?
1. Get your foot in the door (faster)
2. Gain insight about a company, industry, or career path
3. Practice your interview and networking skills
4. Find a potential mentor
5. Show them who you are beyond your resume and
cover letter
26. The Assignment
10% of your final grade
Due Thursday April
14th
Minimum of one page
In-person and not
current UBC
student/staff/faculty
or family member
• Contact details (name, company, title, phone, email
• List of questions asked
• Major insights gained – What did you learn during your
informational interview? **This is the most important part,
should be 40% of final paper.
• Did you request/receive any information regarding
additional connections?
• Follow up action –What will you do to maintain this
connection? *Screen shot of thank you email required
• What are your next steps having conducted this
information interview?
assignment guidelines
27. Next Steps
1. Find 4 or 5 potential contacts – WHERE?!
2. Research them (Google, LinkedIn) and reach out to contacts
you have in common
3. Decide what you want to talk to them about and brainstorm
questions and points of commonality
4. Send out invites! Don’t be offended if they don’t
immediately reply
28. Lecture NEXT WEEK!
Resume & Cover Letter DUE
March 8th @ 2:00PM (Turnitin +
COOL)
Networking Event THURSDAY,
March 10 6-8PM
Reflection due
MONDAY, March 14th 11:59PM on
Turnitin
- Week8 -
ACTION ITEMS
Notes de l'éditeur
Show blog post of names attending
Show blog post of names attending
Demo this, especially if you have not yet taught the LinkedIn class
Explain how different events have different dress codes, i.e. some info sessions are BUSINESS FORMAL. What is the difference? Note that the internet is a great resource; the BCC Pinterest have put together some boards for ‘outfit inspo’
Web to web – strong, firm handshake. Web of both hands should connect. Have them practice.
Eye colour – when meeting someone you should make enough eye contact to be able to walk away knowing the colour of their eyes
Comfy shoes – for girls! A lot of standing around so make sure you wear comfy shoes
Clothes that stand out – EVERYONE will be in black suits. It is important to suit up but change it up with cool shirts, ties, grey suit etc. No perfume/cologne, breathmints not gum, no coffee, long skirts.
Nametag – always goes on your right (the same side you shake hands with). As you go to shake someones hand to intro yourself that side of your chest sticks out more.
Smile – nothing worse than someone who doesn’t look interested or passionate or excited about the conversation. It is hard to say no to a smiling idiot.
Ask: What’s your strategy to approach?
First 2 points self explanatory
First point – approach across from the professional, not next to them because they won’t notice you.
Third point – go with a wingman at first. A lot easier, less stressful and more natural to engage in 3 way conversation. Often in 2 way conversation you spend so much time trying to think of the next question to ask that you don’t pay attention to what they are saying to you right now. With 2 of you there one person can talk while the other thinks etc…..BUT DON’T STICK WITH YOUR BUDDY THE WHOLE TIME. You don’t want the professionals thinking you are dependent and can’t function without them.
Share your personal experiences here (you probably have some funny stories)
Repeat their name
ACTIVITY: try doing a handshake, introduction + a few opening questions
Tennis practice: keep the ball moving
Do we need examples of questions? Should this be a list or a link to more questions
OR activity to brainstorm good questions and share/ask each other
Demo this? Especially the business card ask. Or maybe have them try.
Reiterate that people at the event are unlikely to have business cards, but they can pave the way for a LinkedIn connection
Avoid this
Make sure they know that a thank you is fine! We don’t always need to push for additional face-time
Also think about how YOU can add value for that contact – it’s not just about what they can do for you
20 minutes rationale + choice between two positives
Explain check in when they arrive (either end); if late register in front of BCC
MUST do this to receive credit for assignment
Unsecured coat check
Don’t need to stay for the entire event; hard close at 8PM
So, practice active listening and have intelligent follow up questions
Share the stage with your group, introduce them, wing man for each other
Last semester, the only question I was asked was “I saw you are in BTM – can you explain what that is?”
Remind them that they’ll need to check in and should bring minimal items to coat check
Check out the delegate name tag table if they really want to know if they’re there
Let them discuss before showing them the text
Note that we will be specifically zeroing in on facilitated events and ‘direct request’ networking
While this slide is up, would be cool just to share a personal story you had with info interview success
Also mention that for the 202 assignment, their purpose can be: “I want to make a more informed career/option choice”
Only needs to be one-page
Check out the VERY DETAILED instructions on the blog
Deadline is far away but invites should begin going out now
Lead the discussion on where they can look for contacts (events, Alumni search on LinkedIn, getting connected through friends or the BCC, friends of the family…)
There is a whole list of questions on the blog + Michelle is going over info interviews in depth in lecture
Give some guidelines on invites (but there’s a sample later on in the slides)
AFTER MAR 8: Replace Resume/CL note with: Sign up for your mock interview via COOL
Or find your Info Interview + Sign up for your mock interview