NETworking…GETworking

NETworking…GETworking Bridget DenicolaGOLD Mentor SUNY Geneseo Kimberly A. Harvey Assistant Director of Residence Life SUNY Geneseo

Intended Learning Outcomes As a result of attending this session participants will learn… • basic networking etiquette; • how to effectively build a network during your four years of College; • how to self-market your style and develop a personal pitch; • how to identify and overcome stumbling blocks.

It’s Not WHO You KNOW…It’s Who Knows YOU!

Puzzle Piece #1: Networking Basics • Over 60% of job seekers find their job through networking • Only about 25% of jobs and other opportunities are advertised • Most jobs are found through the hidden market

WHY Network? • Networking is the #1 way to get a job • Networking plays many roles in your future: • Introduce you to target employers or people you may want to meet • Gain information on trends and events in your industry and field of interest • Create leads to hiring/development opportunities

WHAT is Networking? • Networking is a long-term mutual relationship • Networking is an opportunity to gather information • Networking is a chance to impress

NETworking – GETworking! • First Impressions • Eye Contact • Handshakes • Body Language • Remembering Names • Small Talk

What is Networking NOT? • Networking is not about asking for a job or opportunity • Networking is not only for your immediate gain • Networking is not about schmoozing • Networking does not have to be forced and unnatural

Stumbling Blocks • Lack of a formal introduction • A reluctance to talk with strangers • Fear of being seen as pushy • Thinking that other people may not like you • Having your intentions misunderstood • Concerned that people are too busy to waste time speaking with you

Puzzle Piece 2: Building YOUR Network • Intentional networking vs. Unintentional networking • Strategies for building your network:

Strategies for Building YOUR Network • What have you done today to begin building your network? • Develop a PLAN! • Be intentional about how you want to build your network • Ask questions: “what is important to me?” or “what type of people can add value to my personal or professional life?” • Understand your goals and skills

Best Practices – 4 years of College Freshman Year Sophomore Year Junior Year Senior Year

Puzzle Piece #3: YOUR Experience Puzzle Reflection Activity: Take a moment to think about the activities and experiences you have had so far. • Write down one experience/activity on puzzle piece. • Think about: • What skills have I learned? • Why was this event/experience meaningful? • How has this experience influenced the person I am today?

Puzzle Piece #4: Self-Marketing • What is Self-Marketing? • What sets you apart from others? • How do you want to be branded?

Puzzle Piece #4: Self-Marketing • Ways to self-market: • Create a resume • Introduces you, highlights your qualifications, & demonstrates your ability to present information in an organized and concise manner • Attend networking events • Importance of networking cards • Join social networking sites • Great way to maintain relationships • Can help break the ice • Be careful! Customize your privacy settings • Pick the social networking site best for YOU • Create a “personal pitch”

YOUR Personal Pitch • What is a personal pitch? • Why create a personal pitch? • Personal pitch development: • Introduction: who you are, purpose, position desired • Personal Pitch: qualifications and accomplishments • Ask Questions: relevant to job, employer, opportunities, etc. • Follow-up & Closing: express interest, obtain business card, ask best ways to learn about positions, and close

Example of a Personal Pitch:Introduction Introduction: Bridget: Hello my name is Bridget Denicola, pleased to meet you Ms. Allen. (look on name badge). Ms. Allen: Hi Bridget, nice to meet you as well. Bridget: I am majoring in Communications focused in Business and was pleased to see that you would be here today. Ms. Allen: Yes, we try to come here each year to market our entry level positions and internships.

Example of a Personal Pitch:Pitch & Questions Pitch: Bridget: Yes, I am actually very interested in an internship in your Firm. Currently, I am a junior at SUNY Geneseo and I am the Manager of the Geneseo Opportunities for Leadership Development Program. I’ve done some informational interviews with alumni that work in leadership consulting and after working with the GOLD program for two years, I think that I would really enjoy working in leadership consulting. Questions: Bridget: Does your organization offer opportunities for someone with my skills and interests? Ms. Allen: Yes, we have plenty of opportunities, some of which are in organizational leadership. You will want to check our website and look for our intern program. It’s pretty competitive, but it sounds like you have a lot of valuable skills and experiences.

YOUR Personal Pitch • How to end the conversation gracefully: • Remember, they are in an arena where they need to be brief • Ask questions you may not be able to get from their website • Thank them for their time

Example of a Personal Pitch:Closing Closing: Bridget: Wow, that’s great. Thank you so much for the information. I would love to be considered for that. I will certainly go home and look at the application process. If I had any questions, could I contact you or is there someone else I should contact? Ms. Allen: Here’s my business card, please email me any questions that you have. Do you have a card that I could give my internship coordinator? Bridget: I do, here you go. Ok, Ms. Allen, well I can see that you have quite a long line of people waiting to speak with you. Thank you for your time today and information about your internship program. (Shake hand.) Have a good day.

Keys to Self-Marketing Success • Make eye contact, smile and shake hands firmly • Speak clearly and loudly; demonstrate confidence • Reflect and continuously improve. • Don’t try to be someone you’re not – authenticity is good! EXERCISE: • Think to yourself, as an individual, what impression do you give? If you were looking at yourself from an outsiders view: • CREATE YOUR PITCH/SLOGAN! • What are one or two positives that you see? • What are one or two improvements that you would see? • What do you love about yourself?

Networking Tips & Tricks • Ask Questions • Offer Help • Bring Business Cards • Write Things Down • Set a Goal and Practice • Follow Up • Be Yourself at All Times

Selected Resources/Next Steps • http://www.gottamentor.com/ • http://rileyguide.com/netintv.html • http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/17/womentoring.html • http://careers.geneseo.edu

Selected References • Combs, Patrick. (2003). Major in Success. Berkley, CA: Ten Speed Press. • Norcross, Celia. “Marketing Leadership: Developing your Resume and Preparing for Interviews.” Campus Activities Programming, January – February 2007. • Ramsey, Lydia. “Six Stumbling Blocks to Networking at Events.” Talking Stick, July – August 2005.

Questions? Bridget Denicola, GOLD Mentorbed3@geneseo.edu Kim Harvey, Assistant Director131 Schrader Hall, SUNY Geneseo585-245-5726 harvey@geneseo.edu

NETworking…GETworking