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Networking
What Is Networking?
- Networking involves contacting people on your own to gain access to information about job opportunities that may not be publicly available.
How Do You Network?
- Call or email people who work in your field of interest or know someone who works in your field of interest.
- Keep records of everyone you have contacted, how, when, details of the conversation, and any follow-up that is necessary.
What Do You Say?
- Here’s how you might begin a call:
“Hi, my name is ____________. Professor Jones of the Wake Forest economics department suggested that I call you. I’m trying to gather some information about career possibilities in your industry and I wonder if you could spare a couple of minutes to talk to me.”
Where Do You Get Names of People
to Contact?
- People you know personally who may be able to help: parents, other relatives, neighbors, friends, friends of friends, etc.
- Professors in your field
- Alumni (ACAP)
- Alumni who were members of your college organizations, such
as fraternities, sororities, hobbyist groups, professional groups,
or special interest groups
- Professional associations
Follow Up
- Follow up with all of your contacts by writing follow-up or
thank-you notes. Include your contact information (name,
address, telephone number, and email address). This way if the contact happens to think of something new later that may help you, he/she will have a way to get in touch with you again.
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