Networking
Chapter 11 & Appendix
Congratulations on making it this far in the class!
By now you should have some ideas about your future career(s), a career plan, a good resume and cover letter that you can target to specific opportunities, creative and intelligent responses to interview questions, and a solid understanding of the strengths you bring to the workplace.
Now you’re ready for one more piece of the puzzle: networking.
Networking is simply building relationships with people who can help you. And since you don’t always know who can help you, it never hurts to develop relationships with virtually everyone you encounter at school and elsewhere. Your professors, for instance, are not only valuable to you because they are providing you knowledge—they may also serve as a reference for you later when you seek a job or admission to a graduate school.
Networking can take place in formal environments like alumni gatherings, or can just happen spontaneously when you meet someone who works in your field of interest.
In addition, social networks (via Facebook, LinkedIn, and other online resources) offer another way to build relationships. In this lesson, you will examine where you are with respect to these resources and make sure that your online image reflects the image you want to project to an employer. You will also learn about branding and making the most of your connections.
Objectives
By the end of this lesson you will:
* Identify and understand the mental challenges in the job search
* Know the techniques for staying positive in a challenging situation
* Identify possible networks or connections with people who can help you
* Develop a list of topics and questions to ask at networking receptions and other occasions