Networking Strategies and Resources

You've probably heard it before—networking is key to your success on the job market. But how do you start? Many people feel anxious or overwhelmed at the thought of networking. Never fear, the UCSC Career Center is here for you. Take a look through our Strategies and Resources below for inspiration and advice to begin building your personal and professional network. 

Networking Strategies

Overview: 

1. Conduct Informational Interviews
2. Evaluate Your Online Presence
3. Join Relevant Organizations
4. Attend Networking Events
5. Attend a Conference or Workshop
6. Volunteer at a Relevant Organization
7. Say "Yes" To Invitations
8. Practice
9. Show Interest in Others
10. Follow-Up
11. Be Patient

1. Conduct Informational Interviews

• In an informational interview, you ask a professional about their real-life experiences, challenges and opportunities, benefits and demands, and opportunities and limitations of a field you're interested in. Learning firsthand from people in careers you're considering can be one of your most valuable resources in finding out what working in an industry, company, or position is really like!
• See our Informational Interview page for information about the best way to conduct an informational interview.

• Are you on LinkedIn? What does your Twitter profile and handle say about you? Joining and maintaining a cohesive and thorough online presence can help you network with other job seekers, find out about jobs, and stay up-to-date on conversations in your field.

• Joining professional associations or student groups helps you connect with others who are interested in the same field as you. By connecting with others with similar interest you can learn more about your field and gain useful contacts for future job or internship opportunities.
  
• Finding organizations
  • Browse UCSC student organizations
  • Make an appointment with a career coach to find more resources
  • Browse your major’s website. Major departments often have internal academic/professional development/community programs. 
  • Social media. Find one organization on Twitter, Instagram, etc., and see what accounts they are following and interacting with

• Unsure of where to start with networking? Attending a networking event can be a fun and low pressure way to meet new people.
• Not sure where to find a networking event? Check out Handshake to see upcoming events hosted by UCSC and external employers.
• Check to see if UCSC has any alumni networking events coming up. Likewise, see if your undergraduate institution or high school alma mater has any networking events coming up.
• Before you go, do some research about who might be there and who is hosting the event. Networking events are great opportunities to interact directly with recruiters and hiring managers so you’ll want to be prepared.
• When you do go, bring business cards so that you’ll have some ready in case someone asks you for one, have your pitch about who you are, and what you’re looking for ready.

• Conferences and workshops are great ways to meet new individuals and gain potential employment contacts.
• Attending a conference or workshop is also a great way to stay up-to-date with current industry trends and conversations.

• Interested in a specific field but not sure where to begin or how to make contacts? If possible, consider volunteering for them.
• Visit the Student Volunteer Center to find opportunities on and around campus.

• By actively engaging in circles of friends or professionals, you can gain more access to new people and new contacts.

• Networking can be nerve wracking. If you’re planning on going to a networking event, ask a friend or trusted colleague to practice with you so that you can prepare to introduce yourself and having a new conversation.
• Before you go to an event, it can be helpful to give yourself a goal. For instance, do you want to have conversations with a certain number of people? 

• Remember—networking is simply the process of meeting people and having conversations. If you want to make a good impression, then be a good conversationalist: show interest in others, ask questions, be warm and friendly. Networking is about building a relationship; it’s about both parties involved, not just your interests and wants.
• Try not to hijack the conversation by delivering a sales pitch or by hijacking the conversation to make it all about yourself. Networking is building a web of connections and contacts, not self-promotion.

10. Follow-Up

• If you’ve made a connection at an event, ask for the best way to stay in touch.
• After you’ve gone to an event and made a connection, make sure to follow-up with that person via the method they suggested was the best way for them within 48 hours after the event.

11. Be Patient

• Networking should be seen as a continual process that you will build and utilize throughout your career. Don’t feel frustrated if after a few events you feel you haven’t made any connections; keep at it and your connections will grow with time

Resources

Versatile PhD

• Versatile PhD is an online community specifically for individuals with PhDs who are hoping to transition outside of academia. Subscribers can explore career paths, talk to other members of the community, see job listings specifically for PhD holders, network with other members, and attend local meet-ups.
• Subscribers can also see the profiles process of successful PhD holders who transitioned beyond academia (you can see the job listing they applied for, their cover letter, resume, etc.). For community, inspiration, and content, Versatile PhD is a valuable resource.
• The Career Center subscribes to this resource to help inform graduate students about job searching realities. Graduate student alumni gain FREE Premium Contact Access by contacting Chris Arends at carends@ucsc.edu.

LinkedIn

• LinkedIn is an online platform that allows you to build a profile and connect with other job seekers, and recruiters. It is a great tool for professional networking.

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Do you want to confidentially brainstorm with someone about how to network? Make an appointment with one of our Career Coaches today!