It never hurts to know people in high places when it comes to searching for job opportunities. In many instances, the more important people that students know the better their chances in getting a job or interview over faceless applicants in a pool of resumes.
According to Karen Nemeth, a senior counselor with Career Services, networking is about using connections and contacts to snag opportunities. Students may use all kinds of people to get wind of job leads - even friends can be useful in gaining a position or at least a foot in the door.
Most of the time companies do not post entry-level jobs on the Internet, leaving most college students who don't have strong contacts, and aren't aggressively looking for jobs, in the dark about many good potential job opportunities, said Nemeth.
"There are thousands of people graduating so there is no need for [companies] to waste their time and effort looking for people, when there are people looking for them," said Nemeth.
Karen Osei-Tutu, a junior nursing major, has been able to gain experiences through communication with friends.
"I network by word of mouth, and from my friends. I had told one of my friends that I was looking for a summer job and she was able to inform me about a position she thought I would be interested in, which I was able to pursue," Osei-Tutu said.
According to Nemeth, some students may be afraid to network through particular individuals that are high up. However, most often these individuals are pleased to learn that there are people interested in what they do and want to help.
Students who don't have a network already set in place should start building their networks by finding an individual who is successful and in high standing within the professional community, advised Nemeth. Contacting that individual and letting them know they are interested in their profession is a great way for students to start building a professional relationship.
According to Nemeth, when trying to gain a contact, students should ask the individual specific questions pertaining to their own career goals and then ask for the professional's help. Even if that person doesn't have anything available they might know someone who can and will help students make additional contacts.
"It is very important to use the contacts you already have in your own network for job leads. A student may talk to their family members, their neighbors, their sorority members, an employer they have worked for, friends, professors, coaches, doctors, and even alumna or alumnus of their school," Nemeth said.
Matt Brennan, a senior biomedical science major, also believes that the best way to network is to contact people that are already in a place of power.
"After I have researched a particular job that I am interested in, I research individuals in different positions of that job and contact them," Brennan said. "They are able to see first hand that I am really passionate about the field, and are willing to help me with my goals."
Nemeth advises that students go out of their way to meet people, take a general interest in their passions, keep in touch with new acquaintances and old friends, and listen actively when they are involved in conversations.
When students network they can set themselves ahead by obtaining information for interviews, deciding what they want from a particular contact and then asking that person specific and relevant questions pertaining to a defined topic.
According to Nemeth, students looking to obtain jobs can network by attending career or job fairs, volunteering, attending social and professional functions, and becoming involved with professional associations.
"A lot of professions have networking events, a social occasion for people to nurture networks," Nemeth said. "Students should join networks that they are interested in and attend these events in order to meet more people and expand their chance for opportunities."
