Networking
Networking can increase your opportunities and decrease the time you spend searching. It is often the most effective way of searching for positions.
Sometimes jobs are filled without ever making it to job boards. Find out about these positions by connecting with individuals in your field.
Conducting Informational Interviews is one of the best ways to build new relationships and expand your network.
What is Networking?
Using existing relationships to create new connections and gain knowledge about industry standards and requirements, career paths, company cultures, and types of jobs.
Use networking to:
- Explore career options, research industries, and learn about specific companies.
- Uncover leads for potential job opportunities.
- Gain advice on improving chances of getting hired.
- Build a community of people with whom you share a professional interest.
- Promote yourself as someone entering the industry.
How to Find People for Networking
Professional Associations: Join professional associations to find out about conferences or events being held in your field. Professional associations are also helpful for learning about what is happening in your industry, to find industry specific job sites, and to add something extra to your resume. Many professional associations have groups on LinkedInthat you can join as well.
Wentworth Alumni: Attend alumni events to connect or search for Wentworth alumni on LinkedIn using this resource: https://coopsandcareers.wit.edu/resources/research-and-network-with-the-linkedin-alumni-tool/. While free LinkedIn memberships only allow you to message 5 people a month, you can message more people as long as you are both a member of the same group. Another good reason to join professional association groups on LinkedIn!
Former or Current Co-op Colleagues: Build good relationships while you are on co-op so you can utilize them to connect with other professionals in the field.
Professors: Reach out to your professors to set up an informational interview or to ask for recommendations of people to connect with in the field.
Career Fairs & Events: Take advantage of on-campus opportunities and external events to connect with employers and alumni.
People Already in Your Network (friends, family, classmates, neighbors, advisors, etc.): Tell everyone you know that you are looking for a co-op or a job as you never know who they might know.
Current WIT students have access to CareerShift to find contact information to email people directly. Use this guide to craft professional messages.
Tips for Networking
- Don’t limit your network! You never know who may be helpful to you in the long run.
- Do your homework. Do research through LinkedIn and the company’s website about the individual you are meeting and be prepared with at least two areas of common interest.
- Stay organized to stay connected. Create a list or spreadsheet of the people you connect with and email or message them through LinkedIn once every few months to keep yourself fresh in their minds. For example, find an article or TED Talk of interest and send it along or share new work experience or skills you have gained with an updated resume.
- BE PROFESSIONAL! Be on time for any meetings. Dress to impress at all conferences and events. Check your email and voicemail regularly in order to respond to people promptly. Have a professional email address and voicemail message.
