MGLC Workshop: Networking at
Career Fairs and Conferences
Brett Boettcher & Elysse Longiotti
May 30, 2017
The Plan
Introductions
Ending
Conversation
Practice
Networking
Skills
Asking
Questions
Approaching
a Stranger
Icebreaker
1. Partner with someone you don’t know well.
2. In 90 seconds, how many things can you find
that you have in common?
Networking
"Networking is not the process of reaching out to
people. Networking is the process of thinking about
whom to reach out to, why, with what goal, and how
to do so in a manner that minimizes the negative
emotional states that both you and the other person
experience and that maximizes the benefit you
gain."
- Barber, Joseph. "A Networking Rule to Live By," Inside Higher Ed. 22 May
2017. https://www.insidehighered.com/advice/2017/05/22/how-make-jobcontacts-want-help-you-essay
Networking
Why?
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•
•
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Knowledge sharing
Collaboration
Connections beget connections
“Hidden job market”
Where? When?
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•
•
•
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Conferences
Formal networking events
Career Fair
Around NU
Everywhere, always
Conference vs. Career Fair
Conference
Career Fair
Who?
Industry Professionals,
Panelists, Presenters,
Moderators, Faculty, Peers
Recruiters from
companies and
organizations
Why?
Knowledge sharing,
collaborations,
connections
Face time with a
recruiter, learn more
about specific
organizations and
positions, set up a
conversation/interview
Where?
During sessions,
reception, breaks, the
elevator, hallways,
volunteering, etc.
Specific forum (tables,
pre-scheduled
interviews, etc)
Tools and Tips
• Don’t just stick with
people you already
know
• Be comfortable
talking about at
least one
(appropriate) nonwork subject
A comprehensive resource for job search and
career management information. Online resource
contains:
– 80+ Downloadable Vault Career Guides and Employer
Profiles
– 3,500+ Company Profiles
– 1,100+ Vault Career Advice Articles
– Industry and Occupational Profiles
– Insider intelligence on salaries, hiring information, and
company culture
Wet Feet offers the following resources:
– Company Profiles on over 1000 companies
– Company Interviews with leading firms from diverse
industries
– Industry Profiles of over 30 major industries
– Career Profiles of over 40 careers and functional tracks
– Real People Profiles on a "day in the life" of dozens of
career professionals
– City and Country Profiles
– Hundreds of Career Advice Articles offering expert tips
and consultation for job seekers
A business research company that maintains a
database of over 80 million companies worldwide.
• Review company and industry profiles and
discover trends and new opportunities
• Find new leads
• Build a list of companies based on
– Industry
– Location
– Size
• Research trends in job titles, key skills, and other
keywords
• Observe hiring cycles
Introducing Yourself
Elevator Speech: An audience-specific professional
introduction to your interests, experiences, and future
plans
Develop your 60-second (or less) elevator speech
• Name and current position
• How did you get to your current position? For academics,
educational history
• Describe your research for a generalist audience
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–
–
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Topic?
Why is it interesting and important (“so what”)?
Define technical terms (e.g., “Are you familiar with ____?”)
End with questions, next steps
Practice Introducing Yourself
• Find a partner you don’t already know
• Take turns giving your elevator speeches
• After each person speaks, listener should provide
feedback in the following way
– Repeat main take-away of research back to the
speaker
– Note when the speaker seemed most engaged
– Note when the speaker seemed most unsure of her or
himself
– Ask one question
The Art of Conversation
Build relationships with strangers by
engaging them in conversation
• Ask thoughtful questions
• Find areas of commonality
• Listen
Connections and Questions
Who might you speak with at a conference?
• Industry professionals, panelists, presenters, moderators,
faculty, peers (graduate students and postdocs)
What kinds of questions would you want to ask at a
conference?
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What’s you area of expertise?/Tell me about your research?
Where do/did you go to study?
Which institution/organization are you affiliated with?
What you attended this conference before?
What sessions are you planning on attended later?
What’s the most interest session you’ve attended?
Are you presenting or on a panel?
Approaching a Stranger or a Group:
Fundamental Strategies
• Smile and make eye
contact
• Say “hi”
• Shake hands
• Enunciate your name
• When you hear a
person’s name,
repeat it
• If you forget a name,
ask
• When approaching a
group, say “excuse
me” before
introducing yourself
• Begin conversation
with your tailored
elevator speech or a
question
Ending Conversation
Whether you have to say “goodbye”
because you are in a hurry or
because you feel the conversation
has run its course, leaving a positive
impression can help you cultivate
the possibility of future
conversations
Ending Strategies
Situation examples:
In a hurry
•
•
I’m sorry to interrupt, but I just realized I should leave in order to be at the next
session in time.
I have to run, but I would like to talk with you further about this – would you
mind if we connect on LinkedIn?
Conversation has dwindled:
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•
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Well, it was good to meet you and learn a little more about you – would you
happen to have a business card?
I have to excuse myself but I hope to see you at one of the sessions later.
It was really a pleasure speaking with you. I’m going to take a look at some of
the other exhibits (etc), but if I don’t run into you later, I hope to see you at
another event soon.
Put It All Together
Red Group: position yourself around the
room in groups and alone
Blue Group: approach a person or group
and introduce yourself
• Move around the room and strike up
conversation
• Listen for a cue to end conversation
Additional Resources
ECD
http://www.mccormick.northwestern.edu/career-development/
NCA
Brett Boettcher
[email protected]
Elysse Longiotti
[email protected]
• Career Advising and Counseling by appointment, sign up via
CareerCat
• Express Advising, M-F, 2 – 4pm, Main Library, 2 North Core