Networking Your Way to Success
You’ve heard it’s important to network, right? It’s true. Networking has many benefits and no matter your year in school or desired career path we highly recommend that you spend time building your network.
One of the best ways to build your network and learn about the hidden job market is through informational interviewing. In short, informational interviews are 20-30 meetings you have with a person to learn more about his or her career. Through informational interviewing you can learn whether a specific career would be a good fit for your interest, skills, experiences and personality.
Informational Interviewing Resources
- Bureau of Labor Statistics Informational Interview Guide
- Quintessential Careers Informational Interview Tutorial
- iSeek Informational Interview Guide
Why you should network:
- You can learn about career options and define your career goals.
- Learn about the realities of specific careers. You may realize that your dream career may not be the best fit for you. You may also realize that a different position would be a better fit.
- Find out how your skills match specific positions.
- Determine the skills and experiences you are lacking for specific positions.
- Make connections at companies. Many companies do not advertise open positions and instead rely on referrals from current employees.
- Learn about positions that will never be posted to the public (60-80% of positions are never advertised!)
- UW alumni love helping current UW students!
- Gain experience interacting with professionals.
- Set yourself apart from the other candidates. So many people do not put effort into this very important part of the job search.
When you should network:
- As soon as possible! You can begin this process your freshman year.
Who you can contact:
- Alumni
- Family members
- Family friends
- Colleagues
- Professionals at companies where you want to work
- Professionals working in the industry you want to learn more about
How to contact:
- Find contacts through LinkedIn or the Badger Career Network
- Attend industry events
- Use social media to reach out to potential contacts and companies. Many companies have Twitter accounts and Facebook pages specifically for career related information.
- Be prepared! Do your research before contacting.
- Have your list of questions ready.
- Phone calls are often the most effective in getting a response.
- Maintain the relationship. Follow up with your contacts every so often.
What to ask:
- Do not ask for a job
- Request 20-30 minutes of their time.
- Questions about the company and positions you may want to pursue.
- Questions about the skills needed to be successful.
- Ask for referrals to other professionals that might provide valuable information and advice.
- Ask for a review of your resume.
Important – Always thank them for their time! Send a follow up email letting them know how helpful the meeting was and what was most helpful to you.
LinkedIn is the leading professional network on the web, enabling you to:
- Connect with classmates, faculty, and family professionally
- Find new opportunities for internships and full time positions
- Manage what potential employers learn about you from the Internet
You can connect with other economics students and alumni by joining the UW-Madison Economics Group. As a member of the group you can:
- Learn about internships other economics majors complete
- Find professionals to connect with and conduct informational interviews
- Learn about the various career paths you can pursue as an economics major
- Post your career-related questions in the discussions tab
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Last updated: October 3, 2012