COMM 202Tutorial 6: Networking + Info Interview

LAPTOPS & PHONES AWAY! NAME TENTS OUT!

AGENDA For today

TAFeedback

Networking

InformationalInterview

ActionItems

Course Timeline

Resume + Cover Letter due Tomorrow!

Week 9 Week 13Week 10 Week 12

• Lecture: Preparing for an interview

• Tutorial:Interview questions

• Interview Stream due (March 31st 11:59PM)

Week 11

• Lecture: Informational interview

• Post-networking reflection due (March 14th

11:59PM)

• Tutorial: Networking/Informational Interview

• Networking event!March 9th, 6-8PM in CPA Hall!

• Lecture: When you’ve got the job!

• Interviews (Apr. 3rd to Apr. 6th)

• Informational Interview Assignment (Apr. 14th @ 11:59PM)

YourFeedback for me

START • Making assignments more clear

• Speaking more slowly and more in-depth

• Presenting more real life examples

• Talking about what TAs look for in assignments

• More class activities

• Accepting assignments after the 5min deadline J

STop

continue • Quick email responses + weekly emails

• Playing music

• Funny pictures and GIFs on slides and emails

• Showing timelines of what is due

• Making awesome powerpoints

• Being awesome (Thank you)

• Being approachable and friendly

Moving on . . .

Where does networking happen?

Chance Meetings.

FacilitatedEvents.

Via DirectRequest.

Why we network• Get your foot in the door (faster)

• Gain insight about a company, industry, or career path

• Practice your interview and networking skills

• Find a potential mentor

• Show them who you are beyond your resume and cover letter

How do you feel about

The COMM 202Networking event

Your very own networking eventSAVE THE DATE!

Thursday, March 9th from 6:00pm-8:00pm @ CPA Hall

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

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

The POST-networking reflection

10%

1. your goals in attending the event • what is your purpose in going? define SMART goals beforehand

2. how did you prepare for the event (research potential delegates)• what was it about these people that motivated you wanting to talk to them?

3. conversation summaries (3+ conversations) and what you learned in these conversations

4. reflection of the lessons learned

5. action steps to build relationship with new contact

6. minimum one page

Due Mar. 14, 11:59 pm via Turnitin.com

Researching Delegates • Check out the delegate info on the course blog

• Skim the LinkedIn profiles of delegates you’d like to speak to

o Note any interesting topics

o Hone in on similar experiences or shared groups

o Think about questions to ask

Find this on the blog

How should I dress?

For people who identify as women:

Top• Blouse• Collared

Shirt• DressyTank

withCardigan

Dress code

Bottoms• Dresspants• Khakipants• Darkdenim• Skirts

Shoes• Flats• Heels

Dressiswhatyou’remostcomfortablein!

For people who identify as men:

Top• Collared

shirt• Jacketif

youlike• Tieifyou

like

Dress code

Bottoms• Dresspants• Khakipants• Darkdenim

Shoes• Dressshoes• Loafers

Dressiswhatyou’remostcomfortablein!

Look goodFeel good**And Dress business casual.

This is how you will succeedWeb to web Eye color

Name tag on right Smile J

Comfy Shoes

Assessing the room• Look for singles or doubles!

• You want to be memorable - the less people in your circle the easier that becomes!

The Approach• Avoiding the awkward…

• Don’t interrupt – when joining a networking circle, wait for a lull in the conversation

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

• Go with a wingman, but not a siamese twin

Keep it simpleJust simply say hi!• Hi, my name’s Ali.

• Hi Ali, it’s nice to meet you. My name’s Sam.

Show you’re interested in talking to them• It’s great to meet you as well, Sam. 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 positive• 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

LISTEN• Be careful not to monopolize peoples’ time

• Listen for facts, feelings, free information and implied statements

• Introduce others, tying them into the conversation

• Identify commonalities

• Ask open ended questions

Exiting the right way• Spend 5 to 10 minutes with one person; wait for a lull

• 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.”

• Shake hands and exchange cards or ask to connect (if the conversation was meaningful)

Don’t forget to follow up• After great conversations, send a personalized email or LinkedIn

request (or maybe an informational interview request? J )

Hi Sam,

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 McKinsey. 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,

Ali Jatoi

What it’ll look like

The Common Pet Peeves• Asking questions and not listening to the answer

• Asking rapid-fire questions so no one else can speak

• When a person’s outfit is distractingly unprofessional

• When students only talk about their option choices or

career path!

o Try connecting over a common interest beyond

work and school

The Pro Tips• Eat dinner beforehand

• Do some research on the delegates, but don’t get

consumed in stalking every linkedin profile

• Dress classy and comfortably

• Have a few interesting questions / topics to chat about

ready to go. How do you want to be remembered?

• When all else fails, find a 202 ta and we’ll help you join a

circle

• Head to an area that is less packed

• Manage your energy – take a breather if you need it

So. How do you feel?

Any questions?

TheInformational

Interview

The Informational Interview Assignment1. Contact details (name, company, title, phone, email)

2. List of questions asked

3. Major insights gained – what did you learn during your informational

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

paper**

4. Did you request/receive any information regarding additional

connections?

5. Follow up action – what will you do to maintain this connection? *Screen

shot of thank you email required

6. What are your next steps having conducted this information interview?

20%

The Informational Interview Assignment• Due April 14th at 11:59PM

• Minimum of two pages

• In-person and NOT a current UBC student/staff/faculty or family member

• Look at potential questions on the course blog

Steps to land an informational Interview

1. Find 4 or 5 potential contacts

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

Informational Interview TimelineWeek 10 Week 14Week 11 Week 13Week 12

• Determine potential informational interview candidates

• Compose and send first round email

• Have interview date/time confirmed

• Brainstorm questions for interview

• Compose and send second round email

• Informational interview assignment due (Apr 14th 11:59PM)

This is important

Resume + Cover letter submissionsYou will be submitting your documents TWICE:

1. Once on Turnitin.com for marking – 2PM TOMORROW

2. Secondly to COOL for the Employment Interview assignment – 11:59 pm

TOMORROW AS WELL

Just do it at the same time so you don’t forget…

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

”Assignments” à “Resume and Cover Letter”

STORY TIME: A NETWORKING

SUCCESS STORY

Action items1. Resume & Cover Letter due

TOMORROW

2. Networking event THURSDAY 6-8PM

3. There are office hours today

4. Next week is LECTURE

STORY TIME: A NETWORKING

SUCCESS STORY

once upon a time, celia was at a networking event…

once upon a time, celia was at a networking event…

(old friend)

Hey, girl!

Hey, girl! What are you up to these days?

oh, you know, cool stuff in san fran. how about you?

sweet! oh you know, just looking for summer internships.

oh nice! you’re into social/ environmental impact right?

sure am!

right. oh hey! do you know jason?

jason? I think I’ve heard of him but don’t know him well.

oh he’s working for this super cool social finance company I think. you should totally reach out on linkedin and tell him I referred

you.

Wow, that’d be awesome, thanks! I’ll definitely reach out!

hey no worries! anything to help a sista out.

the next day, celia goes to look this fellow up on linkedin…

the next day, celia goes to look this fellow up on linkedin…

omg

omg

omg

omg

omg

omg

obviously, celia shoots this guy a message and request to connect on linkedin

he connects! success! now what?

coffee happens

did you know we’re hiring summer interns?

say what??

yeah. we’re only looking for co-op students though.

damn. I’m not in co-op.

I’ll see what I can do.

omg

omg

omg

omg

omg

omg

a few days go by…

omg

the interview happens.