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Networking requires a certain level of initiative, drive and motivation to complete, as well as a clear picture of your goals for the experience; it may also take more time, so planning ahead is recommended. Career Counselors are available to assist you with all steps in the process; call to set up an appointment.
Step 1: Clarify goals and motivations
The first step in the process is to clarify your goals and motivations for developing your own opportunity. What are you ideally hoping to achieve from the experience? Take time to set clear goals and timetables for achieving your goals, while acknowledging any limiting factors that may weigh into your decision. Though it is important to have clear goals for your experience, it is also essential to have a certain amount of flexibility and remain open to unique opportunities that may arise as you begin your search.
Step 2: Identify contacts
The second step is to identify companies, organizations or individuals who are doing the type of work you are interested in.
You already have a network: professors, advisors, immediate and extended family, family friends and neighbors, coaches, friends from high school and their families, and previous employers or volunteer supervisors. Though they may not be directly working in your career field of interest, they may have connections to those who are. These people are a great foundation on which to build and expand your network.
Networking is not limited to those you already know, but also involves reaching out to other individuals who are doing the type of work that interests you. There are a variety of resources, both web based and print based, that you may use to assist you. The following links will get you started in identifying potential leads. For more information on using these resources or to identify additional resources specific to your career interests, schedule an appointment with a Counselor.
- Career Toolbox
Search for company/organization information by industry and geographic region, download career guides, and access the eRecruiting database containing employer profiles.
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Yale Career Network
There is also a well-established online alumni networking database, the Yale Career Network. To learn more about this database and how to use it, make an appointment with a Career Counselor or visit UCS during open hours.
- Student Internship Evaluations Database
Find out where Yale students have interned and what their experiences were like; these contacts could be good full-time employment leads. Click here to request a username and password.
- eRecruiting
Identify employers and contacts in particular career fields using the "employer search" tool.
- Career Search
Search tens of thousands of employer listings across career fields in the US and abroad. Click here to request a referral code.
- Professional Associations
Join a professional organization. Many host local meetings and discounted rates for students. The ASAE Gateway to Associations Directory is an excellent resource, and additional links to professional association websites in a variety of career fields can be found in the Crib Sheets and Spotlight on Careers.
- Professional Networking Websites
Move beyond your old social networking sites and step up to the big leagues. Platforms such as LinkedIn, Spoke, and Plaxo can provide you with the opportunity to network with Yale alumni and other professionals out there in nearly every field, and most basic accounts can be set up for free.
Additionally, those in your network may also be able to assist you in identifying potential contacts or resources. In some cases, those in your network may be the best resource. For example, if you are interested in doing a particular type of scientific research, your professors and teaching assistants may be able to give you names of researchers in those specialties and may be professionally connected to those individuals. Maintain a record of your search activities and contacts by keeping a notebook or using a spreadsheet.
It is important to maintain a high level of organization during this process to keep track of the information you find and where or how you found it. This will be especially useful for the next step when you begin making contact with companies, organizations or individuals.
Step 3: Make Contact
The third step is to begin making contact. There are different methods and approaches to go about contacting those you are targeting; your choice of method and what you request will depend primarily on your connection to the individual.
One method is to develop a relationship by asking a contact for an informational interview  . Informational interviews give you a chance to get to know the person and for them to get to know you, your interests and your career goals.
Generally speaking, people enjoy speaking about the work they do and providing advice for students looking to enter the field or profession. Informational interviews can be an effective technique to acquire information about a particular career field, industry or organization from an experienced professional. These conversations can also be particularly helpful for identifying and developing job opportunities. Individuals in your network may pass along the name of a contact person who works for an organization that you find interesting. Such contacts may be able to share insight on job search strategies, advice regarding specific organizations, or provide you with further contact information.
One thing that has worked for me is to ask people to meet with [me], just to tell their story, that is, how [they] got to where [they] are today. First, this gives them a chance to talk about themselves. They may tell you things, ideas, or career paths you haven't thought about yet, and finally, if you keep in touch with this person, you may be able to send a resume to them later on. Never discount even the slightest acquaintance.
-Alumnus '00, quoted in Life After Yale
Letters of inquiry are another method. You can draft a traditional letter or use email, depending on your connection to the person. A letter of inquiry is similar to a cover letter except you will not be applying to a specific position.
Whenever possible you want to keep the following in mind:
- Try to write to a real person not the 'Human Resources Coordinator'.
- Keep it simple - your goal is to get them interested - you then need to follow up with a phone call or email.
- Let them know what you will do next - Will you call them? Will you wait for them to call you? When?
- Once you do speak with them, if they are not able to offer you an opportunity try to turn the situation into an opportunity for an informational interview.
Phone conversations are an underutilized method. Before you call, plan what you are going to say. Introduce yourself and state the purpose of your call. Inquire about possible opportunities. Keep in mind that the person may need to get back to you or may refer you to someone else. Make sure to follow-up appropriately. As with letters of inquiry, if they are not able to offer you a position, try for an informational interview.
Regardless of your method of contact, a key to success is to maintain professionalism at all times and to follow-up in a timely manner. Keep track of the people with whom you speak, record when you contacted them and summarize the conversation. Periodically maintain contact with those in your network to keep them posted on your activities - especially if you get an interview because of advice or assistance from one of your networking contacts.
It is important to remember that not all networking connections will result in a job offer, though hopefully you will gain insight into a career or industry and develop long-term relationships that may be beneficial down the road.
Step 4: Capitalize on these new relationships
After you've connected and built relationships with individuals or organizations that have potential as possible employers, get your resume into their hands. Do not wait for them to post a job; write to apply proactively for any upcoming or expected opportunities. Ask your contacts to share your materials with like-minded colleagues so that they may become potential advocates for you as well.
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