6. where does networking happen?
• 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)
7. why?
• get your foot in the door (faster)
• gain insight about a company, industry, or career path
• practice your interview and networking skills
• find a potential mentor
• show them who you are beyond your resume and cover letter
8. informational interview assignment
• 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?
9. informational interview assignment
• due Thursday April 14th (note that this is during the final exam period)
• minimum of one page
• in-person and not current UBC student/staff/faculty or family member
• look at potential questions on the Course Blog
10. how to land an informational 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
11. informational interview timeline
Week 9 Week 13Week 10 Week 12
• Determine potential
informational
interview candidates
• Compose and send
first round email
• Have interview
date/time confirmed
• Brainstorm
questions for
interview
Week 11
• Compose and send
second round
email
• informational
interview
assignment due
(April 14th 11:59PM)
14. networking event
SAVE THE DATE!
Thursday, March10th from 6:00pm-8:00pm @ CPA Hall
• 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!
15. networking reflection
1. your goals in attending the event
• what is your purpose in going? define SMART goals beforehand
2. how did you prepare for the event (research potential delegates)
• what was it about these people that motivated you wanting to talk to them?
3. conversation summaries (3+ conversations)
4. reflection of the lessons learned
5. action steps to build relationship
10
17. researching contacts
• check out the delegate info on the course blog
• skim the LinkedIn profiles of delegates you’d like to speak to
o note any interesting topics
o hone in on similar experiences or shared groups
o think about questions to ask
• during the event, be interested without being creepy!
18. dress to impress, dress for success
Research the
event dress
code if you
aren’t sure
what it
means!
21. 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
22. introduce yourself
just simply say hi!
• Hi, my name’s Yuwei.
• Hi Yuwei, 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?
23. continuing the conversation
• 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
24. the graceful exit
• spend 5 to 10 minutes with one person; wait for a lull
• 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.”
• shake hands and exchange cards or ask to connect (if the conversation
was meaningful)
25. follow up
• after great conversations, send a personalized email or LinkedIn
request (or maybe an informational interview request? )
Hi Yuwei,
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 KPMG. 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,
Alison Buchanan
27. 202 networking event pet peeves
• asking questions and not listening to the answer
• asking rapid-fire questions so no one else can speak
• when a person’s outfit is distractingly unprofessional
• when students only talk about their option choices or
career path!
o try connecting over a common interest beyond work
and school
28. 202 networking event pro tips
• eat dinner beforehand
• do some research on the delegates, but don’t get consumed in stalking
every LinkedIn profile
• dress classy and comfortably
• have a few interesting questions / topics to chat about ready to go. how
do you want to be remembered?
• when all else fails, find a 202 TA and we’ll help you join a circle
• head to an area that is less packed
• manage your energy – take a breather if you need it
29. action items
• networking event on March 10th, 2016
o from 6-8PM in CPA Hall
o networking reflection due Monday, March 14th, 2016 on Turnitin!
• next week is lecture
Puppy of the week!
Notes de l'éditeur
to tie in networking to informational interviews
Spring advertising
Likely what you’re going to be aiming for this time around
See how other people answer questions
Do you gel with this person really well? Went for an info interview, ended up offering me internship
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)
end at 1:09 – go on course blog – filter for ALUMNI
start at 1:16
start at 1:19
start at 1:20
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.
start at 1:23
-which circles are open?
-target singles/doubles where will you be memorable?
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)
1:27 start
repeat their name
ACTIVITY: try doing a handshake, introduction + a few opening questions
1:32 finished first round
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
start 1:33
activity 2: 1:35 start
1:39 end
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
start 1:41
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