Meeting People Who Can Help

If you have a MySpace profile or are a member of a list-serv or user's group, you already know how to establish a network.  Now it’s time to establish one that will help you with your career. 
Keep in mind the following tips about career networking:

• Most people like to help others and will willingly offer information and assistance particularly when they the individual is grateful for their help.
• The more people know what you're looking for, the more they can help you.
• Networking is both a formal and informal process and the way you approach the process is important.
  • The informal network is serendipitous and spontaneous, i.e., you happen to sit next to an international educator on an airplane. You prepare for that by simply telling others what you’re planning to do.
  • The more formal process is called an information interview and requires more preparation on your part.
• Speak Up: Tell everyone you meet about your career plans. You never know who might be able to help.

INFORMATION INTERVIEWS: A KEY TO INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYMENT

Locating people who have international jobs which interest you and interviewing them about their careers can provide invaluable information and assistance to your own job search. You can learn from their experiences and use them to find more resources for finding a job. Networking will help you build and expand a base of contacts to help you in your search.

Step 1: LOCATE A NAME.

• Start with any resources you have.
• Check with alumni, professors, parents, friends, supervisors, etc.

Step 2: CONTACT THE PERSON TO REQUEST AN INTERVIEW.

• In general, an email is the best way to initiate the contact.  Don't write a long essay -just a few sentences about who you are, how you found them, and what you'd like to accomplish (a meeting; a phone call?)
• Don't ask if they know about a job or if they have a job- that invites an immediate turn-down. Ask for referrals instead.
• Every time you get a new name, call or email that person.
• If you’re calling, the best time to call: mid-week, early in the morning. Don't call on Mondays, Fridays, during the lunch hour or late afternoon if you can help it. Explain briefly why you're calling, and ask for a meeting.
• Think about how you want to approach the contact.
  • Create a script or statement that tells them about you and asks for concrete information.
  • For example, don't say, "I'm majoring in French at Dickinson College. Do you know of any jobs that might need that?
  • Instead say or write something like, I speak French fluently, and I'm interested in combining that skill with my economics minor to work in the commercial banking field. Do you have any contacts in international banking or a related field? I'd like to speak with someone in the field to learn more about it.”
• Here's a sample script you can adapt to your situation:
  • “Mrs. Smith, my name is Joe Dickinson of Pennsylvania and I'm interested in pursuing a career in international banking. Your name was given to me by Professor Jones as someone who is very familiar with the field. I'd appreciate it if you could give me a few minutes of your time to describe the pros and cons of the field. Would you have some time next week to discuss this? I don't anticipate that our meeting will take more than 20 minutes.”
• Don't ask about job openings.
• Be sure to have a prepared list of questions by the phone when you make your initial call-- just in case the person wants to talk immediately!
• If you don't have a person's name, call the company and say you're updating a mailing list or telephone directory and need the name and number of the director of the international division. It's usually best not to ask for the name directly as many companies will not give it out.
• Too nervous to call? Start by sending informational email about yourself and tell them that you will phone next week. And then do it! Just be sure your email clearly indicates that you are looking for information, not a job.

Step 3: IF INVITED, MEET WITH YOUR CONTACT.

• Thank the person again for agreeing to see you.
• Be as brief as possible.
• Treat the appointment like a job interview.
• Dress appropriately.
• Be positive; never speak negatively about an employer or your school, etc.
• Come with a list of prepared questions to ask. Questions may include:
  • The individual's career history -- how did they get where they are?
  • What are their job duties and responsibilities?
  • What special skills or knowledge does this person have?
  • How did s/he acquire those skills and knowledge?
  • How could you acquire those skills?
  • What is their work environment like?
  • What are the salaries in this field?
  • What travel or relocation requirements are there?
  • What are the living conditions or lifestyle like?
  • What suggestions does this person have for someone who is new to the field?
  • What would they do if they could start their career all over?
  • How would they suggest you develop job leads in this area?
• Ask the contact to critique your resume:
  • Is it appropriate for the field to which you're applying?
  • Should you print it in another language?
  • How does s/he think employers would react to it?
  • What weaknesses does s/he note in your background from the resume?
  • How could you compensate for those weaknesses?
  • Does the resume need to be re-worked for another country?
  • Have you organized and presented your information well?
• Always ask this question: Can you think of anyone else I could interview to get more information on this career field?
  • Get permission to use the person's name when you contact the referral.

Step 4: FOLLOW UP WITH A THANK YOU LETTER WITHIN 48 HOURS.

• In addition to thanking the person, be sure to reiterate your interests, and ask to be remembered and referred to others as appropriate.

Content for this page provided by:
Dr. Kate Brooks, Director, Liberal Arts Career Services, University of Texas at Austin