Let’s Network Ready, Set, … Wait a Minute!

Let’s NetworkReady, Set, … Wait a Minute! Jean Eason Member, IEEE-USA Employment and Career Services Committee

Networking is…. • What do you know about networking? • How many of you came to this meeting with the goal of networking?

Successful Networking • Effective Networking is based on: • Relationships that are cultivated and nurtured • An exchange of information, advice, and referrals • Mutual benefit and support

Networking Types • Shotgun approach • Big Game Hunter • Stalker • Angler

Networking Plan If you don’t know where you are going, you might wind up somewhere else. –Yogi Berra

Networking Plan • Career/Business Plan • Self-assessment • Goals • Intermediate Objectives • Action Plan to get from A to Z • Networking Plan • Network analysis • Identify targets • Develop resources, tools • Plot a path to the target • Intermediate contacts • Establishing relationships • Organizations • Should complement your career or business plan

Networking Tools • Elevator speech (self-marketing sound-bite) • Memorable introduction • Educate the listener on how they can help you

Networking Tools • Elevator speech (self-marketing sound-bite) • Who you are and why you are worth the listener’s time • Pitch your strengths • Accomplishments to back up your claims • What you are looking for (subtle) • Tailored to the situation or audience

Networking Tools Elevator speech becomes the basis for… • Networking (Self-Marketing) toolkit • Business cards • Résumé • Bio • References • Portfolio • Website (Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.) • Business promotional materials (brochure, presentation, etc.)

Network Along the Way • Hone your skills and strengthen relationships by using your network to help develop: • Career Plan • Networking Plan • Elevator Speech • Networking Toolkit elements

One More Thing Before you go to that Networking Event… • Prepare • Research – how does this event fit into your networking plan? • Who will be attending • How can you establish a relationship • What do you want to ask for • What is the etiquette for the event • Have the appropriate self-marketing tools • Have 3-4 ice-breakers in-mind • Have an idea of what you can contribute to the relationship

Networking Do’s • Make it easy for people to help you • Understand the relationship • Give them enough information so that they are comfortable referring you • Two-way street • Always be thinking of what and how you can contribute • Pass along information and referrals • Do unto others before they do unto you • Listen more than you talk

Networking Do’s • Keep in mind the basic rules of etiquette • Be considerate of others time • Appear professional • Show integrity and reliability • Follow-up leads and acknowledge sources • Thank your contacts. Let them know of your successes. • Keep in touch

Networking Don’ts • No Hard Sell • Don’t be impatient • Takes time to develop relationships • Dig Your Well Before You’re Thirsty • Don’t pass out business cards indiscriminately • Don’t misrepresent yourself • Don’t stalk • Don’t ignore people

Exercise You have 3 minutes….GO! • Pull out a business card • Find someone in the room that you don’t know • Introduce yourself (elevator speech) • Find out one thing you can do for them • Find out one thing they can do for you

Let’s Network Ready, Set, … Wait a Minute!