Build Your Network

After you have set up your professional online brand via LinkedIn your next step is to define who makes up your network. Start by finding people through LinkedIn and your personal network that fill the below categories:

• Someone in a role you want to hold. This could be an intern at a location you want to work, or an entry-level person who is doing work you’d love to get into. 
• Someone in a role you want to be in in 5 years. This could be someone working at a location you want to work at (even if they aren’t in the exact role you want to fill) or someone doing work you want to do (think more topically).
• A recruiter or talent acquisition personnel. If you are about to graduate or more recently graduated, look for people with the title of “early talent acquisition”.

Once you’ve identified “your people” you can start reaching out. Your goal is not to ask for an internship or job, your goal is to begin gathering data on the duties of positions, the content of the work, company culture, and how everyone grew their skills to be professionally competitive. Your Career Coach can help you navigate this process after you have completely updated your LinkedIn profile.

LinkedIn serves as a powerful networking tool, connecting professionals worldwide and facilitating career growth. With over 700 million users, it offers a vast pool of opportunities to expand your network, engage with industry leaders, and showcase your expertise. A well-optimized LinkedIn profile acts as your digital resume; highlighting your skills, experiences, and achievements.

Our LinkedIn Training will show you how to set up your profile so you can begin to use LinkedIn’s search and filtering features to identify and connect with professionals in your industry or target companies. As you engage with our training and meet with your career coach, you’ll learn to engage with your network by sharing insightful articles, commenting on posts, and congratulating connections on their achievements.

Joining LinkedIn groups which are relevant to your interests and participating in discussions to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise will grow your network as well as keep you informed about the latest trends in your industry.

Networking on LinkedIn is not just about expanding your connections but also about nurturing relationships. Regularly engage with your network by reaching out with personalized messages, helping others, and congratulating them on their milestones can help you build genuine connections through LinkedIn. These connections can lead to valuable opportunities, whether it’s finding a new job, collaborating on projects or posts, or accessing industry insights and resources.

Our industry specific Career Coaches are trained in coaching and have a depth of industry experience to help you navigate professional networking and building a strategy unique to your industry. Your career coach can walk alongside you as you explore networking opportunities and examine the unique connections you already have while identifying gaps in your network. Your career coach can work with you to develop a sustainable networking strategy which will include maintaining connections so you can network effectively.  

You can meet with your coach to discuss career planning, resume tailoring, interview preparation, how to network, and more! You can set up an appointment through Handshake. We also recommend watching Resume 101 and having a resume prepared for the meeting prior to its occurrence. To get you ready you can access our industry-specific resume resources.

Networking at a career fair can significantly boost your job search efforts and expand your professional connections. We offer many career fairs each semester for students to attend and practice their networking skills. We also offer opportunities for you to meet with a coach or utilize our resources to prepare a concise elevator pitch that highlights your skills, experiences, and career objectives.

At the career fair, you’ll want to approach each booth with confidence and introduce yourself with a firm handshake and your elevator pitch. Ask thoughtful questions about the company’s culture, opportunities for growth, and current openings to demonstrate your interest and engagement. You can learn about these openings and the companies by looking at the Handshake Career Fair page prior to the event. Collect business cards or contact information from representatives you interact with for future follow-up.

Networking isn’t just about talking; it’s also about listening. Take the time to listen attentively to recruiters’ responses and ask for advice or insights into breaking into the industry. Remember to express gratitude for their time and insights before moving on to the next opportunity. You’ll also want to keep an eye out for opportunities to meet with employers at their events to gain valuable industry knowledge and expand your network further. You should be able to find these Employer Events before the event. Finally, after the event, follow up with the contacts you made, expressing appreciation for their time and reiterating your interest in potential opportunities. Effective networking at career fairs requires preparation, active engagement, and genuine interest in building professional relationships.

Attending Employer Events demonstrates a proactive interest and commitment to potential employers, setting some job seekers apart from the competition. Networking at employer events (either in person or virtually) can also lead to hidden job opportunities that may not be advertised publicly. Building rapport with company representatives increases the likelihood of being remembered when suitable positions arise, potentially leading to interviews or even job offers.

Additionally, participating in employer events allows job seekers to refine their elevator pitch, interview skills, and overall professional demeanor in a low-pressure environment. Even if immediate job offers don’t materialize, the connections made, and insights gained can be invaluable for future career advancement.