Networking: Whom do you know?

By Jennifer Cranney

March 24, 2005 | Do you ever wonder if all of the time, money and effort you put into college will ever pay off? Are you preparing your resume wondering why anyone would look at it and actually be impressed with what they see? Many students are wondering this exact thing. How does anyone ever get their first job?

The Internet is a prominent source for job searching, but it doesn't mean it is the most effective. The fact is that networking is the best thing you can do to get a job. "More than 50 percent of hires come from some form of networking," according to Montcalm Community College. "On-line applications account for only 21 percent of company hires. Networking is still the most effective way by far to land a job, and it is all the more important now that the on-line process is making applying for a job even more impersonal."

Dr. Cathy Bullock, a journalism professor at Utah State University, said most of her jobs she got through networking. She said at one point in her job search she submitted a lot of applications to ad/pr agencies, even though they didn't have openings at the time. She said only one of the companies ever called her and invited her to interview. The rest of her jobs she got through some kind of networking.

Professor Ted Pease, head of the journalism department at USU says it's the most important thing you can do.

Troy Oldham, former marketing manager for Microsoft, said "Networking is very critical. The most important aspect of getting a good job."

Paul Rolly, columnist for the Salt Lake Tribune said that he was studying political science and the University of Utah and while working on his minor in journalism, he began to shadow his professor who worked for the Tribune. He said his professor would go on assignments for stories and he would let his students come with him.

"He would write the stories for the paper and we would write the stories for our assignments. They all got to know me down there, they saw how dedicated I was," he said. " I would've never gotten that job if it wasn't for networking. I would've been one of 500 applications sitting in the file drawer."

"Networking remains the number one job strategy," said Thomas Denham, director of the Siena College Career Center. It doesn't mean it's easy, though, not everyone knows someone who has the job they want. There are many strategies and tactics to successful networking.

"If you're smart you'll be able to make good contacts through groups like PRSSA and career fairs." Bullock said. "You just need to have a meaningful conversation. Don't just give them your name and hand them your resume."

Bullock said it's good to be up front with those you're trying to network with. "They don't get offended, they know why you're there."

Bullock also said that networks don't have to start after college. "Networking often happens at jobs they work while going to school, or through professors and their old contacts, people who know people. There are also good opportunities for contacts to be made with guest speakers, if you ask good questions and afterward introduce yourself and tell them what you're interested in doing and ask them for advice."

Bullock also advised that following up through an email or a letter could make the difference for successful contacts.

Network Your Way to a Job is handy advice given to Purdue students. They have produced Eight Keys to Networking which are:

1. Be Prepared
2. Be Targeted
3. Be Professional
4. Be Patient
5. Be Focused on Quality not Quantity
6. Be Referral Centered
7. Be Proactive
8. Be Dedicated to Networking

This site also lists questions to ask during your networking encounters and the dos and don'ts for a successful contact.

Another way to start making good contacts is through online discussion groups or forums. There are also many websites which are used for the sole purpose of networking:

Ryze Business Networking
The Virtual Handshake
Business Women's Network
Minority Professional Network

Networking can be the difference between a dream job and a "pay-the-bills" job. Do what you can to implement more contacts into your job search. Building a strong network will certainly help when the university gives you the boot.

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