ACCESSING THE CAREER NETWORK

The Alumni Career Network is a database of alumni whom other alumni may contact for insight into a particular career, or with questions about a career-related interest.

Alumni - Access the BC Online Community
The Alumni Online Community enables alumni to look up classmates in an online directory and take advantage of career services and resources.

Students - Access the Career Network
Log in through Agora and select Career Services.  On the Alumni Career Network page select "search for a career advisor". 
Note: Please use Mozilla instead of Internet Explorer. 

KEY PRINCIPLES OF NETWORKING

Networking with professionals in a particular career field can help you at three stages in your career process:

1. EXPLORING CAREER FIELDS: your contacts offer insights and information that will help you choose a career and focus your job search.
2. FINDING JOB LEADS: your contacts help you uncover the "hidden job market" (the jobs that are never advertised anywhere -- "70%" - "80%" of all professional jobs) and possibly give you the inside track on interviews.
3. BUILDING YOUR CAREER: the networking process continues even after you've started your new job or new career. Building your skill base, working with mentors, taking on roles within a professional association -- all these activities involve networking, and all benefit your long-term career development.

Here's how it works.

• You generate a list of possible contacts, including members of the BC Career Network who are working in the career field that you have targeted.
• You call these people and ask if you can set up a time to interview them about their career and their job.
• You meet, preferably at their workplace, usually for about a half hour. You ask most of the questions, and in return, you gain insights into their profession. In addition, you can ask for advice regarding your own job search.
• You may even learn about some interesting job openings.

And you always ask for the names and phone numbers of other professionals whom you might also interview. Thus, the process of building your network continues . . . . 

KEY PRINCIPLES OF NETWORKING

Believe it or not, many professionals in the workplace want to help you with your job search! These are people who enjoy their jobs and who find satisfaction not only in talking about their work, but also in helping others get established in their career field. The BC Career Network is a great place to find some of these people.

1. THROW A WIDE NET

Your networking contacts can come from a variety of sources:

1. Your network of professional relationships - colleagues in your organization; internship supervisors and other professionals at your internship site; colleagues in other organizations; members of professional associations; customers, clients and collaborators.
2. Your network of personal relationships - relatives; friends; parents of your friends; friends of your parents; family doctor; family lawyer, minister, rabbi or priest; members of social organizations in which you participate (outdoor clubs, marketing club, ski club, athletics, etc.).
3. "Chance meeting" networks - the person next to you on the ski lift; the cop who called for a tow truck; the other 27 participants in your dance class.

• With people from the first two groups (BC Career Network, professional contacts), you will usually be asking for informational interviews.
• With people from the next two groups (personal relationships, "chance meetings"), you will generally be asking if they can provide you with contacts who work in the career field or industry you are investigating.

2. SET UP A MEETING

We recommend that you schedule a 30-minute meeting at your contact's work site so that you can see and experience his or her work environment.

Face-to-face meetings get the best results.

• If you can't meet face-to-face, set up a time to "meet" by phone.
• E-mail is useful for making initial contact with people, but it is not as effective as personal or phone meetings for actual informational interviewing.

  Some notes about using e-mail in your networking.
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Most professionals are busy people, and if they think you are asking them for a job, they will probably blow you off as quickly as possible.

SO - state your intentions concisely - "I've recently graduated from Boston College, and I'm interested in learning more about publishing as a possible career field. I found your name in the Career Network, and I'd like to set up a time to meet with you and ask you some questions about your career."

If you have been referred by a specific person, mention that person's name right away - "Hi, my name is John Foster, and I was given your name by Joan Smith at the Center for Corporate Philanthropy. I'm considering a career change," etc.

3. YOUR ROLE

1. Don't expect your networking contacts to sort out your work life for you. While many people will be happy to assist you along the way, you can't approach them with an "I'm lost, will you tell me what to do?" attitude.
   
2. Have some focused questions to ask your contact about their career field and how you might fit in.
     Some sample questions to ask in your informational interviews.
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3. Respect your contact's time - don't ask questions that could be easily answered by searching on their organization's web site or by doing some basic reading on their career field or industry.
   
4. Some career counselors suggest creating a "sound bite," a brief description of the attributes of your ideal job, that you can share in your informational interviews. 
   

4. CONDUCTING THE INFORMATION INTERVIEW

1. You can ask any question, except "Can I have a job?" Asking for a job often ends the conversation.
   
   Once you have established some rapport, your contact will be much more likely to take the risk of referring you to others. They might pass your resume along to someone with a job opening, or they may give you the names of other people who could help you in your job search. (Don't be afraid to ask for names.)
   
   You are not trying to hide the fact that you are looking for a job. It is okay to ask, "What is the best way to apply for a position with this organization?" or "What are good organizations to target for jobs in this field?"
   
2. DO ask for information and advice about their career field. Ask your contact about their own career path and what they've learned along the way.
   
3. Dress in professional attire as if this were a "real" interview.
   
4. When you actually sit down to meet with people, restate your intentions. Stating your goals for the meeting can help focus the conversation.
   
5. Toward the end of your information interview, always ask for the names of colleagues with whom you might also conduct information interview. (Grow your network!)

5. STAY IN TOUCH

Send a thank you note within a day or two of your networking session or informational 
interview (we are using the two terms interchangeably here). Making the extra effort to write a nice note will help you stand out in the person's memory. (The temptation will be to write an email thank you note, and that is probably fine, but if you really want to be remembered, hand-write a note on high quality stationary and send it through the U.S. mail.)

Keep your contacts informed of your progress. If somebody referred you to another contact who was particularly helpful, write to the original person and let them know. If your work status changes (say, if you land a great job or decide to go into business for yourself), or if you further refine your job goals, you can take the opportunity to update at least some of your contacts.

And remember that networking is a mutually beneficial process. If you come upon a resource that you think one of your contacts would appreciate, pass it along to them.

Networking - Where? With Whom?
How to use online and professional resources to build your network.