How to network in the athletics area

1. The Networking Process
and How It Works–
Essential steps for Success!

2. Experience
 38- years of administrative experience
o Former University Athletic Director (Retired)
 Missouri Baptist University
o Assistant Professor of Sport Management
o Undergraduate sport management coordinator
o Inducted Into Three Hall of Fames
Education
o M.S. in Sport Management
o B.S. in Education
o Lifetime Secondary Education Teaching
Certificates History/Health/PE

3. ◦ Faster Answers to Questions
◦ Safety Net in a rapidly changing business
world
◦ Less need to be an expert
◦ Resource for Business Deals, Alliances,
Jobs
◦ Prepare by learning from others

4.  Success…
◦ It’s not what you know….
◦ It’s not who you know….
◦ It’s who wants to know you !!
 I used to think that networking
was begging.

5.  Then I realized that is not what people hear.
When you network professionally, people
respect the effort you have made, even if they
can't help you right away,
 If you sit back and wait, opportunity will pass
you by. You are always up against other people.
If you want to be noticed you have to take
action."
 If you want to be noticed, you have to make
yourself known,

6.  1. a supportive system of sharing information and
services among individuals and groups having a
common interest. “ Networking is making links
from people we know to people they know, in an
organized way, for a specific purpose, while
remaining committed to doing our part, expecting
nothing in return.”
 2. groups of people who talk and share ideas,
information, and resources. Networking —
discovering connections between people.

7. ◦ Establishing goals.
◦ Analyzing the type of assistance you will need to
achieve your goals.
◦ Developing your people skills.
◦ Building and cultivating your network.
◦ Maintaining your network through the years.

8. ◦ People love to give advice
◦ People like being thought of as “experts”
◦ Networking is not just asking for help, but agreeing to
be helpful in return.
◦ 75% of people get their jobs through networking.
◦ Many positions are filled before they are even posted!
◦ People like to be “heroes”

9. ◦ Every person knows at least 250 other people.
◦ Each of your contacts knows at least 250 people. So
that’s 62,500 at your level.
◦ Each of your level contacts knows 250 people - and
that’s over 15,000,000!
 Speed Networking Example
o Crowd
o Individual

10. ◦ Family/Friends
◦ Friends of Family/Neighbors
◦ Classmates/Alumni
◦ Contacts from Special Interest Groups (e.g., Sorority,
Fraternity, Student organizations)
◦ Members of your religious congregation
◦ People dependant upon networking (e.g., realtors,
insurance agents)
◦ Former employers/co-workers

11. ◦ Recruiters/employers who give presentations on
campus.
◦ Other job candidates
◦ LUC Alumni Sharing Knowledge (LUC-ASK)
◦ Professional Associations
◦ Contacts in the Career Center
◦ Former teachers, current professors and staff

12. ◦ Assess your own interests, skills, knowledge areas, and
personal attributes. Take stock so you can speak about
yourself with enthusiasm.
◦ Research information about your potential network
contact and his/her field.
◦ Decide what information you would like to obtain from
your contact and prepare a list of questions you would
like to have answered (see “Guide to Informational
Interviewing” for sample questions).
◦ Remember that you are representing yourself and
Loyola as a whole.

13. ◦ Do not ask for a job or internship (ask for advice,
information, and other contacts).
◦ Do not spam with multiple e-mails or stalk with multiple
phone calls.
◦ Do not act unprofessionally or negatively.
◦ Do not ask your contact to mass distribute your
resume.
◦ Do not share their contact information with others
unless you have permission to do so.

14. 1 Contacts : Call, e-mail or write a letter.
2, 3, etc. Contacts: Send an “Approach” letter followed
by a phone call.
ATTACH YOUR RESUME AND INDICATE THAT IT’S
ONLY FOR REFERENCE!
 Purpose : Set up a meeting to discuss your
needs, interests and goals

15. ◦ Your letter should include:
 A brief introduction and your affiliation with Loyola
 Why you are writing to this individual; why you are interested in
this field or organization
 A brief statement of your interests and/or experience
 That you would like to schedule a 15-30 minute meeting with
them over the phone or in person
 That you are asking for information and advice.
 Information about arrangements for the meeting or call with
suggested dates, times and locations.
◦ Proofread all of your correspondence and be professional in your
tone. Even if this is already an “acquaintance” you should be formal
and professional with them.

16. ◦ Tell them who you are, why you are calling & what you need.
Always ask if this is a convenient time to talk.
◦ Tell them you don’t expect an immediate answer - ask if you can
call them back at a later date.
 Ask them:
◦ To be part of your personal NETWORK.
◦ For advice & input.
◦ To recommend their tips for getting a foot in the door in this
particular field or industry.
◦ To refer you to others who might be able to assist and give advice
(ONLY if you are comfortable asking).
 Tell Your Contact What You Need

17. ◦ Be polite, respectful, and charming!
◦ Dress professionally for in-person meetings.
◦ Have 10-15 appropriate questions ready to ask for a half hour
conversation, (see Networking Guidelines for examples of
informational interview questions).
◦ Be prepared for the person to ask you about your interests and
experiences.
◦ Be respectful of the person’s time and keep the conversation
short; they will let you know if they have additional time to share.
◦ Say “Thank You” at the conclusion of your conversation!

18. ◦ If your contact refers you to others, follow-up with
them. Make sure to immediately mention your mutual
contact and why they thought this new person might
be helpful.
◦ Keep your contacts informed. If your original contact
referred you to someone who was helpful, share that
with her/him. Likewise, if a particular resource or
research avenue was fruitful, let the person know.

19. ◦ Take notes after your interactions. They may be helpful
to refer to when reflecting on your conversation and
conducting follow-up.
◦ Send a thank you note within 24-48 hours –either by
email or handwritten. Include “How can I help you in
return?”
◦ Ask yourself: What did I learn from my conversation?
How does what I learned fit with my own interests,
abilities, goals, and values? What additional information
would be helpful to know?

20.  Develop Good People Skills
◦ Assert yourself positively and confidently.
◦ Ask good questions.
◦ Be a good listener.
◦ Be viewed as knowledgeable or skillful in a particular
area.
◦ Show interest in being of assistance to others.

21. ◦ Voicemail / Answering Machine – have a professional
voicemail message.
◦ Social Networking websites – Keep your profile
professional. Many people can access your
information, even if your privacy settings are set to the
maximum!
◦ Email address – again, keep it professional! Do not
use something like “cutygirl89@hotmail” or
“johnny420@yahoo”—those will not make good
impressions.

22. ◦ Your Name
◦ Description of Target Career Interest
◦ Home Address
◦ City, State Zip
◦ Phone E-Mail Address
◦ URL (optional)
◦ A business card creates an impression of
professionalism and quickly provides your contact
information.
◦ Business cards can be created online or at any
printing/copy store.

23. ◦ Contact name, title, company
◦ Address, Phone # & E-Mail address
◦ How you met contact
◦ Date last contacted
◦ Conversation summary
◦ Names of referrals
◦ Date of thank-you note for referrals
◦ Other follow up steps you took

24. ◦ Don’t let your “rolodex” gather dust – keep in touch
through sending occasional emails, updates, links to
articles, etc.
◦ Keep your contacts up-to-date on your progress.
◦ Always thank people!

25. ◦ “ Remember, part of networking is giving to other
people. The best networkers know that networking is
much more than passing around resumes. It involves
building relationships over time...”
◦ “Build Your Network, Now !”
 Final Thoughts…

26.  Thanks!