COMM 202W08: Networking

T35 & T36

Laptops away! :)But no phones please.

Tutorial 6

Agenda

1. TA Feedback

2. Networking EventPrep & Strategy

3. Informational Interviews

TA FeedbackStart

o Email Reminders / Notificationso How to make experience relevant to the job postingo Different Career Paths & Optionso General Feedback on how we’re doing (on weekly assignments)o Review next assignment’s guidelines more clearly

Stopo Timing (not going over)o Too much time asking for responses

Continueo Peer Evals, Group Work, Class Discussionso Relaxed Professional Class Experienceo Giving lots of examples & sharing real life exampleso The music!o Flexibility to meet outside of class

Skills Matrix Feedback

o Great personal stories!o Most had good actions & skills match

o Quantifying/qualifying details for the Employero Think about the impact of the company from the owner’s perspective.o Why does it matter to the employer?o How did your role help achieve the business owner’s goal?

Networking Event

Networking Event

o Alumni, senior students, and local professionals convening for an evening of networking with this semester’s COMM 202 students

o Excellent opportunity to practice and refine your networking skills and learn more about how to make the most of your time at Sauder!

SAVE THE DATE:

Thursday, March 10th from 6:00PM-8:00PM @ CPA Hall

Reflection PaperDue Monday, March 14th

Min. of One Page | submit to TurnItIn

o Your goals in attending the event o What is your purpose in going? o Define SMART goals beforehand – How will you define the success of your

evening?

o How did you prepare for the event (research potential delegates)o What was it about these people that motivated you wanting to talk to them?

o Conversation summaries (who you talked to, what you learned)o Reflection of the lessons learnedo Action steps to build relationship

Researching Contacts

o Be sure to check out the delegate info on the course blogo Skim the LinkedIn profiles of delegates you’d like to speak to

o Note any interesting topics you’d like to know more abouto Hone in on similar experiences or shared groupso Think about questions to ask

o During the event, be interested without being creepy!

I  had  a  chance  to  look  at  your  LinkedIn  profile,  and  I  was  really  interested  to  

learn  about…

Dressing the Part

o The networking event is Business Casual. What does that mean to you guys?

Dressing the Part: Ladieso Dress pants, khaki

pants, dark denim, or skirts (hemline just above your knees or longer!)

o Blouse, dressy tank with a cardigan or blazer, or collared shirt (avoid spaghetti strap tops)

o Flats or low heels

Dressing the Part: Guyso Dress pants, nice

khakis, or dark denimo Collared shirt

(patterned or plaid is fine!), jacket if you like

o Dress shoes or loafers

Networking Event Mechanics

Web to webEye color

Name tag on right Smile J

Comfy Shoes

Assessing the Room

The Approach

Avoid the awkward…

o Don’t interrupt. When joining a networking circle, wait for a lull in the conversation.

o Never have food and a drink, you need a free hand to shake!

o Go with a wingman! But not a Siamese twin

Introduce Yourself

Just simply say hi!o Hi, my name’s Kevin, Kevin Mason.

o Hi Kevin, it’s nice to meet you. My name’s Andy.

Show you’re interested in talking to themo Hi Andy it’s great to meet you as well. I was actually hoping to chat with you this

evening as I noticed on your LinkedIn profile that you…and I would love to hear more about your experience.

Start the conversation. Ask a question / have them talk about themselves / Stay positiveo Do you have any advice for students…looking to make the most of their time at

Sauder? …looking for a career in your field?

Continuing the Conversation

o LISTENo Be careful not to monopolize peoples’ timeo Listen for facts, feelings, free information and implied statementso Introduce others, tying them into the conversationo Identify commonalitieso Ask open ended questions

The Graceful Exit

o Spend 5 to 10 minutes with one person; wait for a lullo Excuse yourself kindly and assertively:

o “It was nice to meet you”o “I’m glad you were here today. It’s been great chatting with you. Thanks

so much.”o “I don’t want to monopolize all your time today. Thank you for taking

time to speak with me and I hope you enjoy the rest of the event.”o Shake hands and exchange cards or ask to connect (if the

conversation was meaningful)

Follow It Up

o After great conversations, send a personalized email or LinkedIn request (or maybe an informational interview request? J )

Hi Sabrina,It was so great to get the chance to speak with you at last night’s networking event. I was really inspired by what you said about “building your personal brand”, and I am looking forward to putting your advice into practice.I would love to continue our conversation about your experience at YVR. I understand that you are very busy, but it would be great to meet for about 20 minutes. Would you be available to meet on Monday or Tuesday next week? Coffee is on me!Thank you,Kevin Mason

The 202 Networking Event – Thursday!

202 Networking Event Pet Peeves

1. Asking questions and not listening to the answer

2. Asking rapid-fire questions so no one else can speak

3. When a person’s outfit is distractingly unprofessional

4. When students only talk about their option choices or career path! Try connecting over a common interest beyond work and school

202 Networking Event: Pro Tips1.Eat dinner beforehand

2.Do some research on the delegates, but don’t get consumed in

stalking every LinkedIn profile

3.Dress classy and comfortably

4.Have a few interesting questions / topics to chat about ready to

go. How do you want to be remembered?

5.When all else fails, find a 202 TA and we’ll help you join a circle

6.Head to an area that is less packed

7.Manage your energy – take a breather if you need it

Informational Interviews

Networking in Real Life

Networking in Real Life

o Chance Meetings o i.e. sitting beside someone on an

airplane

o Facilitated eventso Company Info sessionso Networking Events

o Direct Requesto Informational Interviews

Info Interview Assignment

o Contact details (name, company, title, phone, email)

o List of questions askedo Major insights gained – What did you learn during

your informational interview? **This is the most important part, should be 40% of final paper.

o Did you request/receive any information regarding additional connections?

o Follow up action – What will you do to maintain this connection? *Screen shot of thank you email required

o What are your next steps having conducted this information interview?

Assignment Guidelines

10% of your final gradeDue Thursday April 14th

Minimum of one pageIn-person and not current UBC student/staff/faculty or family member

Landing Your Info Interview

1. Find 4 or 5 potential contacts – WHERE?!

2. Research them (Google, LinkedIn) and reach out to contacts you have in common

3. Decide what you want to talk to them about and brainstorm questions and points of commonality

4. Send out your invites! Don’t be offended if they don’t immediately reply

Action Items

Networking Reflection due March 14th @ TurnItIn

Networking Event on March 10th @ 6:00PM

Sign up for office hours on COOL

Final Resume & Cover Letter (w/ Job Posting!!)due March 8th @ 2:00PM on TurnItIn

Submitting Your Resume & CL

o You will submit your documents TWICE

o Once to Turnitin.com for marking (by 1:59pm)

o Secondly to COOL (by 11:59pm, same day…but just do it right away so you don’t forget!)o This is how you will receive an interview for the Employment Interview

assignment

Full instructions on how to submit to COOL are on the course blog

In Other News…

Brand Management Mentorship Program

o Information Session March 11th @ 12:30–1:30 PM HA 491o RSVP on COOL!

COOP Applications are out!!