Are you graduating and looking for a job? Are you looking for a summer internship? Or, are you looking to do some networking? One question: Are you on LinkedIn?
LinkedIn is one of the excellent resources you can use to do informational interviews, get more information about a particular company, link in with professionals in the field, etc.
The Career Development Center has created an online group just for these uses called Alumni Sharing Knowledge (ASK). Networking opportunities and alumni support are more important than ever in this rapidly changing job market. With the growing popularity of LinkedIn, it is a great platform for students to make connections with professionals in the field and gain information about a particular career or area of interest. This is a great way the Career Development Center can link Tommies together!
Members of the ASK group can post discussions and get feedback from current alumni in the field. For example, check out this discussion below and all the great insight by our alumni!
Question: Alumni – What is the #1 networking tip you can give students?
Do not be afraid to approach people. The worst they can say is “not now.” And most of us out here are flattered that anyone might see us as helpful.
Elizabeth Weiser – Associate Professor at Ohio State University
Know yourself: strengths/weaknesses; goals and aspirations. Be able to articulate them well and the rest will fall into place.
Pat Heenan, RCDD – President, Electri-Comm, Inc.
Try to get involved in organizations that are related to your field of study and attend their meetings and conferences. They often have student rates for membership and for attending conferences. The best way to network is face-to-face, supplemented by online networking tools like Linked-In and Facebook, etc.
Lou Peterhans – CIO at Wells Manufacturing Company
Find out how you can help the other person. What are their needs and goals? It doesn’t even have to be professionally. Maybe they’re a foodie and would like a restaurant you frequent. Maybe there’s someone else you know who could help them accomplish their goals.
Dan Geislinger – Business Consultant
Broaden your focus. I think my biggest mistake during senior year at St. Thomas was not reaching out to people in other industries (PR, Advertising) because I wanted to stick with newspaper reporting. I limited my career search to reporting and as a result, turned down some companies like Johnson Wax. I did get a reporting job, but as life progressed, I also worked as a journalist for some major corporations and taught school. So my work history ended up broad even though I was determined to keep it narrow when I first graduated. Be open to unexpected opportunities and don’t hesitate to network with people from all types of industries.
Jane Baldus – Recruiting Manager, Farmers Insurance
Put yourself in as many social situations as you can and ALWAYS be ready to sell yourself. Make as many contacts as you can and store them away; don’t forget to use them!!! Realize the truth that it really isn’t what you know, it’s WHO you know!
Conor Corrigan - Regional Sales Manager at Travelex Currency Services, North America
Talk to everyone! In the elevator, at the gas station, at the bar or at church. When you go to networking events don’t look to meet as many people as you can but rather look to have a few high quality converstaions. This will get you much further than handing out 100 business cards. Also, come up with a 1 minute elevator pitch about yourself and what you do. Have this down to the point where you can do it in your sleep. Have confidence in yourself and others will gain confidence in you as well.
Ben Tesler – Financial Representative at Northwestern Mutual
Pay attention to possible connections you may have with people. Some of my best opportunities have come from just shooting off an email to someone introducing myself and my objective for making the connection.
Joe Moline – Cyber Advisors
Talk to everyone, even if you don’t think they will immediately be helpful to you. The goal is to meet and share ideas/needs with many people. Worst case is that you both make a connection for the future. In your conversations, learn how to politely ask for things you need/want (like an informational interview over coffee). Always be understanding if someone doesn’t have time to or can’t help and be very thankful if they do/can help. And ask if there is anything you can help them with. Make notes of your contacts and your conversations for future reference. At first you may not strike gold, but after you keep at it, you will build a large network of people you know…but also people who know YOU.
Eric Kraus – Enterprise Services at Microsoft
I actually teach Career Development at the Art Institutes Int’l. I find that many of the students are not prepared to discuss their “professional” career vs. their current “jobs” My recommendation is to start with their instructors to gain a reality check of what is involved in their career of choice and then talk to recent graduates about their experiences – then to participate in professional organizations and informational interviews – to be prepared and curious about the profession and industries they are seeking.
Jean Radeztsky MA – Coachsultant with Avail Coaching & Consulting, LLC
So…if you are job searching, internship searching, networking, or just looking to get some great information – One question: Are YOU on LinkedIn?
For more information about ASK visit www.stthomas.edu/careerdevelopment/ask
