Networking

Overview

The word “networking” may carry negative associations; however, at its core, networking occurs when you talk to someone else about a shared interest. In fact, you already have a network and engage in networking naturally all the time—at home with coworkers, friends, family, and neighbors; and at school with classmates, professors, university staff, advisors, social organizations, clubs and friends. 

Networking is one of the best ways to learn about jobs, internships, and potential careers. You can speak with professors, classmates, and career advisors in the advising office, plus alumni, career fair recruiters, and visiting employers. 

Career networking takes place when you talk to someone about work that interests you both or about something you have in common professionally. As you talk and make connections, these connections lead to information and other connections, which in some cases can lead to internships or jobs.

Networking Statistics

Here are some reasons networking is important in the current internship/job search:

  • 80-85% of jobs are filled through networking (HubSpot)
  • 70% of jobs are never publicly posted (CNBC); this is often referred to as the “hidden job market”
  • 80% of professionals working today consider networking essential to their success (LinkedIn)

The connections you make through networking allow you to gain valuable career information and advice, learn about potential opportunities, and move closer to achieving your career goals.

Networking with Authenticity

Networking should not require you to lie or be anything other than yourself. In fact, you’ll have more success if you are genuine and open. 

To engage in career networking with authenticity, it helps to consider:

  • How do you want to conduct yourself in professional settings? What is the impression you hope to make? This will help you determine your authentic, professional self.
  • When you think about your future career, what are you genuinely interested in, curious about, or committed to? These are the ways in which you can identify people with similar interests, goals, or values.
  • What are you most eager to learn from professionals in your field or area of interest? This helps you determine what questions to ask when you make a new connection.

Networking typically requires:

  • Introducing yourself to new people;
  • Sharing your skills, interests, and professional goals;
  • Asking questions that reflect your genuine curiosity; and
  • Being clear about what you hope to gain from the conversation.

All of which you can do authentically!

Get Ready to Network

Networking means a lot more than simply reaching out to industry professionals. There are a multitude of ways to prepare and lay a groundwork for meaningful conversations down the line. 

To do this effectively, you can:

  • Get to know your professors, peers, and HFA Careers staff.
  • Create a LinkedIn account and keep it updated and accurate.
  • Develop an online website or portfolio where you can feature your work.
  • Attend employer presentations and career fairs, just to check them out.
  • Make a list of companies and organizations you like, who are doing work you find interesting. 
    • Follow them on social media and learn everything you can about them.
  • Determine which professional associations are common for the field you’re pursuing.
  • Join Connect UMass and read some alumni profiles that interest you.
  • Develop an elevator pitch (a 30-second spoken statement about you, in your own voice).
  • Develop a list of potential careers you want to learn more about or organizations that interest you.
  • Develop a list of questions to ask those contacts.

When You’re Ready to Connect

Actively networking involves speaking with contacts who are in an occupation or field you’d like to learn more about or are employed by an organization you would like to work for in the future.

These conversations are often referred to as informational interviews. It’s a great way to connect with someone without the pressure of asking for a job. Instead, you can focus on:

  • First-hand information about a particular career, 
  • Trends in a job or industry, 
  • Details on how hiring works for a certain role/field, or 
  • Insight on the specific skills or qualities that employers are looking for.

There are many ways to identify strong contacts for informational interviews. Exploring one or more of the options below should help you build a solid list of people to talk with:

  • Tell everyone you know (peers, faculty, HFA career staff, current and former employers or supervisors, family, friends) about your career interests and the types of professional opportunities you’re seeking. 
    • Ask who they know that you might be interested in learning about or meeting if they would introduce you.
  • Reach out to alums on Connect UMass who are working in fields of interest.
  • Join professional associations in your field and attend a conference. These are excellent networking resources, both online and in-person. Many have student membership prices and a lot of the information shared is open source.
    • For a list of professional associations relevant to your major, start with the ones listed in our Opportunities by Major (and Interest).
    • Your professors and teaching assistants can suggest the ones most appropriate for you. 
  • Attend a lecture or read an article by a faculty member or person in your field. Contact the person and express your interest in their topic and let the conversation develop.
  • Begin conducting informational interviews with contacts you have found during your preparation.
  • Introduce yourself at career fairs and employer events and ask informational interview questions.
  • Reach out to employers you are interested in to seek advice and gain information. 
    • You can do this during career fairs on campus, at events that feature specific career paths, or through LinkedIn in follow up to a career fair or event.

Additional Resources