think, one major reason the association exists is for the purpose of networking, so contacting a Cane alumnus should not feel awkward since they too joined for the same purpose. To access the University of Miami Alumni Association please visit www.miami.edu/alumni. Get involved with the local Chamber of Commerce. Almost every city has a Chamber of Commerce and they usually have events that are great opportunities to network with others. If you are having trouble breaking into the Chamber – Join a Committee! For help finding a Chamber near you visit www.chamberofcommerce.com. LinkedIn – join group memberships by profession, college, shared interest, or location o Sample introduction – “I would greatly appreciate having an opportunity to talk to you about your work. I am currently investigating new career paths and would like to learn more about your industry. Please let me know if you would be willing to help out a fellow Cane. Look forward to hearing from you! Melissa ‘05” Utilize other social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter to reconnect with old friends and make new contacts through common interests Conferences provide opportunities to expand your network, knowledge of the field, learn of other career paths and options in organizations Professional associations are another great way to expand your network. For a complete list professional associations please visit http://www.weddles.com/associations/index.cfm As you develop a network, a helpful hint would be to create spreadsheet to keep your network contacts organized. How many times have you searched your desk or office looking for someone’s business card? By creating a simple spreadsheet you can keep your contacts organized, easily update new contacts, and even include follow-up dates for contact or notes about your conversations.
Tips for N etw orking
Page
29
Dress appropriately and get to events early Wear your name tag on the right side to provide an easy sight-line to your name when shaking hands When attending a function, make a goal to meet a certain number of people Enter and exit group conversations politely – utilize your “elevator” pitch to describe who you are and what you do (Refer to Interviewing Strategies and Tips: Tell Me About Yourself for more details) Never start a conversation by talking about yourself o People enjoy talking about themselves – ask them open ended questions Listen to others when they are talking and comment appropriately Keep conversations short and focused Avoid sitting with a friend at an event