Learn How to Network

1. Make a list of companies or organizations of interest. Consider the field in which you wish to work, your work interests and values, your preferred location, and organizational culture.

2. Read about each company. Learn what the company or organization does, how it does it, why it does it, who does it, and where it is.

3. Network with people inside your top 5-10 companies. Because 80% of job openings are not advertised, you will want to start networking. You can do this through a variety of avenues, including conducting an advanced people search using LinkedIn, conducting informational interviews, and job shadowing, to name a few.

What is a Career Conversation?

Career Conversations, also known as Informational interviews, allow you an opportunity to talk with professionals in your field of interest about the industry, company culture, and career paths. You can gain knowledge of what the day-to-day tasks and roles are as well as information about larger organizational issues and long-term options.  Applicants are 12 times more likely to secure an offer of employment/internship when backed by an internal advocate. -Brown, Setren, & Topa, 2014. Make the time to make the connections that could change your post-graduation outcomes!

Want to set up a career conversation? You have two options!

• Access our step-by-step toolkit, and work through the steps on your own.

How to Conduct Career Conversations

• Use (or establish) your network. Identify a person currently working or who previously worked in the industry you are considering. Talk with friends, relatives, faculty, staff, alumni, and current or former coworkers for possible connections. You also might use social media (such as LinkedIn or Facebook) or a company’s website to identify potential interviewees.
• Contact the professional by telephone, email, or via social media; introduce yourself (practice ahead of time); and ask to set up a 30-minute interview.
• Prior to your meeting, identify 10-15 questions about the industry you would like to ask the professional.
• Want to learn more and practice career conversations? Join a Career Launch cohort by contacting Madison Stueve, Associate Director of Inclusive Career Design, mstueve@uark.edu.

Questions to Get You Started

1. How did you get started in this industry?
2. What do you like most and least about this industry/company/job?
3. What growth opportunities do you see in the field?
4. What are the ideal education, background, and skills for success in this industry?
5. What impresses you when interviewing candidates for entry-level positions?
6. What advice can you give me as I pursue jobs in this field?

After the Interview

1. Send a thank you note to the professional.
2. Evaluate what you learned and assess any gaps between your background and the job/career requirements.
3. Look for ways you can make up those gaps - classes, trainings, workshops, etc.
4. Identify other professionals in the field you also could interview.
   • Participate in Career Launch Academy, where as a group we work together to assist you step by step to set up career conversations. (link to Hogsync survey). If you have questions about the Career Launch Academy please contact Emerald Hames, Associate Director of Inclusive Career Design, ehames@uark.edu.

According to Career Launch Academy a significant portion (80%) of internship and job opportunities remain hidden from the public eye, never making their way to online platforms. Furthermore, the power of having an internal advocate in the job search process cannot be understated, with applicants being 12 times more likely to secure employment when backed by such support.

The Academy aims to elevate your strategic social capital and plug you into that hidden market, empowering you to forge meaningful connections with professionals in your chosen career field.

Job Shadowing is short-term (one to two days), offers no pay or academic credit, and is hosted by volunteers in various organizations to help students gain an insider's view of a career field. It involves observing a professional through a normal day's activities and may include informational interviews, tours, and participation in office projects. Shadowing also may help you get your foot in the door for a competitive internship or job.

Use your personal network to identify potential contacts working in fields that are interesting to you. If this doesn't work, use LinkedIn, the company's or organization's web pages, professional associations, and career fairs.

Call the individual and indicate that you are seeking more information about their field and would like to spend a half day or day shadowing them on their job. When talking to the individual refer to the research you've already reviewed about this field or organization.

What to Prepare

• Conduct research of the companies in attendance.
• Write three questions about the companies that demonstrate your interest in working there.
• Know your skills and prepare your 30-second commercial to introduce yourself to a recruiter. This is an opportunity to share a little bit about your experience, skills, strengths, accomplishments, and goals.

What to Bring

• Extra copies of your resume, a pen, and padfolio with notes from your research.
• A checklist of the names and titles of the contacts you want to make at the event.
• A brief outline of the research you conducted on the companies.

What to do when you get to the Event

• If the employer representative is engaged in conversation, wait nearby until they are finished.
• Greet the representative with a firm handshake, smile and look them in the eye.
• Be prepared to initiate the conversation.
• Show your interest by asking questions about the company or the individual person.
• Be sure to get the business card of everyone to whom you talk.

What to do after the Event

• Send thank you emails to everyone you met.
• Find them on LinkedIn and request they become one of your contacts.

• Student Sample 1
• Student Sample 2
• Student Sample 3

LinkedIn’s Alumni Search feature is a powerful tool that allows you to connect with and learn from University of Arkansas graduates. By leveraging this tool, you can expand your network, gather insights, and potentially find mentors in your desired field. Here is a LinkedIn Learning video tutorial (to log into LinkedIn Learning, click here: U of A Information Technology Services). Below is a step-by-step guide to effectively network with alumni on LinkedIn:

Step 1: Log in or Create an Account

1. If you haven’t already, sign up for a LinkedIn account. If you already have an account, log in to proceed.

Step 2: Access the Alumni Search Feature

1. Go to the “Education” section on your LinkedIn profile homepage and click on the “University of Arkansas”. On the next page, click “alumni”.

Step 3: Explore Alumni Data

1. You are now on a page displaying alumni data and can filter this data using the following criteria:
   • Where they live now
   • Where they work
   • What they do
   • What they studied
   • What they are skilled at
   • How you are connected (1st, 2nd, 3rd – degree connection)
2. Adjust these filters to narrow down the results and find alumni who align with your interests. You may also use the search bar to search for alumni by key words (i.e., company name, job title, location).

Step 4: Expand your Network

1. Review the profiles of alumni who match your criteria.
2. Send connection requests to those you would like to connect with professionally.
3. After clicking “connect”, click “add a note” to personalize your connection request by mentioning your shared institution, common interests, or goals.

Step 5: Engage and Learn

1. Once connected, engage with your alumni connections by sending a welcoming message expressing your interest in their career journey and using this opportunity to ask for advice, learn from their experiences, or gain insight into your chosen field.

Step 6: Stay Professional

1. Always maintain professionalism in your interactions with alumni.
2. Be respectful of their time and expertise.

Step 7: Offer Value

1. Networking is a two-way street. Consider how you can offer value to your alumni connection, whether it’s sharing articles, insights, or offering your assistance.

Step 8: Keep Growing Your Network

1. As you progress through your academic and professional journey, continue to use LinkedIn’s Alumni Search to connect with alumni who can contribute to your growth.
2. Remember, building meaningful connections takes time, so be patient and persistent. Leverage your alumni network to learn, grow, and open doors to exciting opportunities in your desired career path.

Sample Messages to Alumni Found on LinkedIn

To Request a Video Chat

Dear [Alumni's Name},

Currently I am a student at the University of Arkansas and am interested in starting my career [in the journalism field.] Based on your LinkedIn profile it appears that you have had a very successful career in this field, and I would like to learn about your journey from the first job you had after graduation to your current position at [name of organization.]

Would it be possible to schedule a 15-minute video chat with you to discuss your career path. I realize that you probably keep a busy schedule, so I am willing to meet with you before or after business hours, if necessary. Are you available on [day/time] or [day/time]?

Thank you for considering my request and I look forward to hearing back from you soon.

To Identify the Hiring Manager

Dear [Alumni's Name],

Currently I am a senior [marketing major] at the University of Arkansas planning to graduate in [date of graduation] and would like to pursue a career in [career you are interested in] at [name of organization].

Based on your LinkedIn profile I noticed that you are working in [name of the department] at [name of organization]. This is the exact company and department I would like to begin my career with and was wondering if you would be so kind as to provide me with contact information of the hiring manager for this department so I may forward my resume to this individual.

Thank you for considering my request for this information and I look forward to hearing back from you soon.