Champlain College, Established 1878

Networking 101

Did you know...

that 75-85% of jobs are obtained as the result of some sort of networking? There is some truth in the old cliche, "It's not what you know, but who..."

Here's how you do it:

  • Know Yourself: It's important to invest time determining your professional values and goals. With a clear focus, you will be able to communicate quickly to network contacts who you are and what you want. Consider taking the MBTI or doing some on-line self assessments.
  • Organize Your Current Network: Your current network is made up of friends, relatives, teachers, etc. It's your personal address book and business card file. Many people use 3x5 cards or a computer database to keep records. For each contact, record name, address, telephone numbers, and notes on how he or she assisted you or how he/she might help you in the future.
  • Increase Your Contact Base: It's not enough to send out resumes and wait for the phone to ring. To reach this market, you must have regular contact with different kinds of people. Talk to everyone. Tell your contacts what your professional interests and goals are and ask for advice and referrals to others knowledgeable in your field of interest.
  • The Alumni Career Network: Career Services can help you get in touch with alumni/ae willing to discuss their career paths.
  • Who Are Your Professors? Get to know your faculty members outside the classroom. Many have valuable experience and contacts in your field of interest. Some professors are consultants to industry. If you're sincerely interested in a professor's research, volunteer to assist him or her.
  • Get Involved on Campus: Become a leader on campus by getting involved in organizations. For example, help plan an event or arrange for speakers. You'll not only gain valuable skills, but you will also make many professional contacts.
  • Gain Work Experience: Make sure your internship and other work experience reflect your career interests. Get to know your supervisors and colleagues. Work hard to make a contribution and gain valuable new skills.
  • Attend Professional Conferences: Every field has a professional association that holds national and perhaps regional conferences. By attending, you'll discover hot issues and make valuable network contacts. Make yourself more visible by volunteering your services on various committees within an association.
  • The Informational Interview: Now that you have a list of people to talk to, you need to know what to talk about. You are not asking for a job--you are asking for information about a specific career--you are conducting an informational interview.
Copyright 2007 Champlain College