Kevin Tutorial 6: Networking COMM 202, T35 & T36

1. COMM 202
W08: Networking
T35 & T36
Laptops away! :)
But no phones please.
Tutorial 6

2. Agenda
1.TA Feedback
2.Networking Event
Prep & Strategy
3.Informational Interviews

3. TA Feedback
Start
o Email Reminders / Notifications
o How to make experience relevant to the job posting
o Different Career Paths & Options
o General Feedback on how we’re doing (on weekly assignments)
o Review next assignment’s guidelines more clearly
Stop
o Timing (not going over)
o Too much time asking for responses
Continue
o Peer Evals, Group Work, Class Discussions
o Relaxed Professional Class Experience
o Giving lots of examples & sharing real life examples
o The music!
o Flexibility to meet outside of class

4. Skills Matrix Feedback
o Great personal stories!
o Most had good actions & skills match
o Quantifying/qualifying details for the Employer
o Think about the impact of the company from the owner’s perspective.
o Why does it matter to the employer?
o How did your role help achieve the business owner’s goal?

5. Networking Event

6. Networking Event
o Alumni, senior students, and local professionals convening for
an evening of networking with this semester’s COMM 202
students
o Excellent opportunity to practice and refine your networking
skills and learn more about how to make the most of your time
at Sauder!
SAVE THE DATE:
Thursday, March 10th from
6:00PM-8:00PM @ CPA Hall

7. Reflection Paper
Due Monday, March 14th
Min. of One Page | submit to TurnItIn
o Your goals in attending the event
o What is your purpose in going?
o Define SMART goals beforehand – How will you define the success of your
evening?
o How did you prepare for the event (research potential delegates)
o What was it about these people that motivated you wanting to talk to them?
o Conversation summaries (who you talked to, what you learned)
o Reflection of the lessons learned
o Action steps to build relationship

8. Researching Contacts
o Be sure to check out the delegate info on the course blog
o Skim the LinkedIn profiles of delegates you’d like to speak to
o Note any interesting topics you’d like to know more about
o Hone in on similar experiences or shared groups
o Think about questions to ask
o 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…

9. Dressing the Part
o The networking event is Business Casual. What does that
mean to you guys?

10. Dressing the Part:
Ladies
o Dress pants, khaki
pants, dark denim, or
skirts (hemline just
above your knees or
longer!)
o Blouse, dressy tank with
a cardigan or blazer, or
collared shirt (avoid
spaghetti strap tops)
o Flats or low heels

11. Dressing the Part:
Guys
o Dress pants, nice
khakis, or dark denim
o Collared shirt
(patterned or plaid is
fine!), jacket if you
like
o Dress shoes or
loafers

12. Networking Event Mechanics
Web to web
Eye color
Name tag on
right Smile J
Comfy Shoes

13. Assessing the Room

14. The Approach
Avoid the awkward…
o Don’t interrupt. When joining
a networking circle, wait for a
lull in the conversation.
o Never have food and a drink,
you need a free hand to shake!
o Go with a wingman! But not a
Siamese twin

15. Introduce Yourself
Just simply say hi!
o Hi, my name’s Kevin, Kevin Mason.
o Hi Kevin, it’s nice to meet you. My name’s Andy.
Show you’re interested in talking to them
o 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
o 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
o LISTEN
o Be careful not to monopolize peoples’ time
o Listen for facts, feelings, free information and implied statements
o Introduce others, tying them into the conversation
o Identify commonalities
o Ask open ended questions

17. The Graceful Exit
o Spend 5 to 10 minutes with one person; wait for a lull
o Excuse yourself kindly and assertively:
o “It was nice to meet you”
o “I’m glad you were here today. It’s been great chatting with you. Thanks
so much.”
o “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.”
o Shake hands and exchange cards or ask to connect (if the
conversation was meaningful)

19. Follow It Up
o After great conversations, send a personalized email or LinkedIn
request (or maybe an informational interview request? J )
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,
Kevin Mason

20. The 202 Networking Event – Thursday!

21. 202 Networking Event 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. 202 Networking Event: Pro Tips
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

23. Informational
Interviews

24. Networking in Real Life

25. Networking in Real Life
o Chance Meetings
o i.e. sitting beside someone on an
airplane
o Facilitated events
o Company Info sessions
o Networking Events
o Direct Request
o Informational Interviews

26. Info Interview Assignment
o Contact details (name, company, title, phone,
email)
o List of questions asked
o Major insights gained – What did you learn during
your informational interview? **This is the most
important part, should be 40% of final paper.
o Did you request/receive any information regarding
additional connections?
o Follow up action – What will you do to maintain
this connection? *Screen shot of thank you email
required
o What are your next steps having conducted this
information interview?
Assignment Guidelines
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

27. Landing Your Info Interview
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 your invites! Don’t be offended if they don’t
immediately reply

28. Action Items
Networking Reflection due March 14th @ TurnItIn
Networking Event on March 10th @ 6:00PM
Sign up for office hours on COOL
Final Resume & Cover Letter (w/ Job Posting!!)
due March 8th @ 2:00PM on TurnItIn

29. Submitting Your Resume & CL
o You will submit your documents TWICE
o Once to Turnitin.com for marking (by 1:59pm)
o Secondly to COOL (by 11:59pm, same day…but just do it right
away so you don’t forget!)
o This is how you will receive an interview for the Employment Interview
assignment
Full instructions on how to submit to COOL are on the course blog

30. In Other News…
Brand Management Mentorship Program
o Information Session March 11th @ 12:30–1:30 PM HA 491
o RSVP on COOL!
COOP Applications are out!!