STEP FIVE: Networking skills are the competencies you need to have to maintain professional or social contacts. Networking is a great way to explore careers and can give you specifics about the opportunities you are pursuing.
The fifth step is understanding that networking involves building and maintaining relationships with individuals who can share information and offer advice. Networking for professional purposes is tapping into the knowledge, information, and connections that others have to offer you in terms of your career goals. Talking to someone who has experience can help you determine if an industry, job function, or organization truly interests you.
Did you know you share a connection to Middlebury with 4,500+ alumni career volunteers on Midd2Midd? They want to hear from you about your career aspirations and challenges. They also want to know what’s happening on campus, so you’ve got something to offer them as well.
Download the CCI Networking Guide at go.middlebury.edu/CareerNetworking and peruse Midd2Midd’s three programs: MiddConnect, MiddMentors and MiddGroups. Each offers distinct features and benefits along with tools, useful features, and ample support. MiddConnect is designed to make networking and outreach easy. Set up your Midd2Midd profile and run your search. When you find someone you want contact, simply hit “connect” and compose your message.
STEP SIX: Attend virtual and in-person alumni one-on-one meetings. Meet one-on-one with alumni to ask any questions you’d like in a no-pressure setting and discuss your business career and leadership aspirations. Receive feedback on your résumé and helpful advice for future interviews.
Networking with alumni and employers at companies you wish you work for will give you people to reach out to once you’re ready to look for a new job, or they may remember you when they or someone they know has an open position.
One-on-ones are also an opportunity to ask questions and have them review your resume for feedback and help on future interviews. They may share ideas for other skills you can develop and ways to build those skills. For example, maybe the alumni landed their last promotion partly by strengthening their project management skills, and they can tell you what course they took. Or maybe you’ll encounter someone at the Field Guide alumni career panel who you admire for their public speaking. You can ask them for tips or if they used anything in particular to become a stronger speaker.