Networking
Networking is any activity that you engage in that connects you with people who are doing what you might like to do. Networking can help you decide on a career, learn how to develop your skills and secure an internship or job.
Although you might feel nervous when approaching a potential contact, don’t give up, as networking is a skill that develops through practice. Most people enjoy talking about themselves and will give realistic – and free – advice.
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR NETWORK
- What do you like most or least about your work?
- Can you describe a typical week?
- What advice would you give someone trying to break into this field?
Networking is a two-way street. If you want people to help you, you should help them and keep in touch over time. Consider sending an article on a topic of mutual interest, offering to treat them to lunch, referring a friend for an opening at their company or congratulating them on a promotion.
DINING ETIQUETTE
Dining etiquette is very important when trying to leave a positive impression. A meal is included as part of many interviews and in many professional networking situations. In any business situation, having a firm handshake, smiling and making eye contact convey a professional image.
To make a good impression:
- Be sure to arrive on time
- Place napkin in your lap before drinking or eating
- Wait to eat until everyone is served
- Eat at the same pace as others
- Have good posture
- Bring food to your mouth (not your head to the plate)
- Work from the outside in with utensils
- Pass salt and pepper together
- Place napkin beside plate at the end of the meal
MANAGING YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE
LinkedIn is a professional networking site that helps people connect with others in their field or industry. You can find alumni groups, job postings, company profiles and much more. It is common for employers to source candidates through LinkedIn, so you should maintain a professional profile and consider this your "digital resume."
Join the Morehead State University Career Services Group
With over 900 million users, Facebook is the largest social networking site. While it is not intended strictly for professional networking like LinkedIn, the sheer number of users and groups utilizing it makes Facebook a powerful job search and professional networking tool. When searching for terms on Facebook, you can narrow results down to people, pages, groups, links and more, which gives you a wide range of networking options.
Many organizations have group Facebook pages, some of which are even career-focused. These pages are powerful tools for research and communication; you can even "Like" them to keep up-to-date with their news and announcements.
Visit MSU Career Services on Facebook
Twitter might not be the first site to come to mind when you think of job searching and professional networking, but many people are using it to look for positions, and many recruiters are using it to search for candidates. Connect with people in the companies and jobs that you are hoping to get into, tweet questions you may have about your field and use the Twitter search with common job search hashtags to find job/internship postings. (Try #jobangels or #employment for job openings; #internships for internships and co-ops.)
Contact Us
Contact the Center for Career Development & Experiential Education
Ground floor, Camden-Carroll Library
150 University Blvd.
Morehead, KY 40351
EMAIL: careerservices@moreheadstate.edu
PHONE: 606-783-2233
