[MUSIC] Did you know that according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 70% of jobs are found through networking? This makes networking the most effective approach to searching for professional opportunities. Hi my name is Kamila Allen and I am the Director of Student Career Advising at Northwestern Career Advancement where advise students on the job and internship search process. During this lecture, I will discuss the importance of networking with a focus on online networking. You will learn how to use online tools to build your network, write a professional networking email, and maintain a professional presence on social media. Take a second to think. What is your initial reaction when I use the word networking? While some people are filled with excitement over the prospect of connecting with professionals, the very thought of networking causes anxiety for many people. If this is how you feel, you're not alone. Simply defined, networking is about relationship building. You probably network every day with classmates, teachers, friends, and coworkers. The difference with professional networking is that you are building intentional relationships with people in your career field of interest. Your goals with networking are to, first, learn about your field of interest. Ask your contact questions about the responsibilities of a particular position, trends in the field, and how to make yourself marketable for opportunities. Second, learn about the professional journey of your contact. You could learn a lot from the experience of others. Finally, leave a positive impression for future career opportunities. In addition to asking questions of your contact, you should also be prepared to share information about your career goals and interests, so your contact can understand how to best help you. Where does one find these professional connections? One way is through online networking. Finding professional contacts is easier than you may think through the use of social media sites. The most well known tool for networking online is LinkedIn. In addition to making connections, LinkedIn is also useful for marketing your experience or building your brand. One of your first when using LinkedIn is to create a profile with details about your career history, education, interests, and other relevant content. A strong LinkedIn profile that makes a good impression is essential because it is how others will meet you for the first time. Not to mention, if you have a LinkedIn profile and someone Googles your name your LinkedIn profile is often at the top of search results. Here are a few tips for a strong LinkedIn profile. Use keywords of your chosen field. This will make your profile stand out to recruiters and professionals with similar interests. [MUSIC] Provide detail about your work and education. Don't just list your experiences, write a short statement about your key accomplishments or activities in each role. Add details beyond work experience. In addition to jobs you have held, add information about the skills you have developed through projects, volunteer experiences and student groups. Finish your profile with a professional photo. LinkedIn profiles with a picture have 14 times more views than those without. After perfectly your profile, the next step for networking on LinkedIn is to join groups, which will provide you with access to more potential networking contacts. For example, a search of the word healthcare on LinkedIn leads to thousands of groups for different areas within the healthcare field. Within groups you can also search the profiles of members. This is where the networking begins. As you peruse the profiles of group members, look for those who hold positions or work within fields that interest you. When you find people you would like to contact, send that person a message to start the networking conversation. Through a message, you can share your interest and reasons for wanting to speak further. Whether you found networking connections from LinkedIn or through friends, the initial contact is most often made through email. Email is used in nearly all workplaces, including in healthcare. Here are a few key points for writing a professional networking email or message. A short description of your background and relevant experience. If you have held a position or taken a class related to their work, this helps to explain your interest in connecting. How you found the person. If you found them on LinkedIn, or were referred by a friend or family member or an acquaintance, make sure to note that in your message. This can increase the chances of the person replying because it makes the message seem less random. Your interest in speaking with this person. What is it about their background that led you to make contact? A request for a conversation. Make yourself available for a conversation through email or a telephone call at your contact's convenience. A verbal networking conversation is more impactful for building a relationship than exchanging emails. Also, sending a list of questions can be overwhelming to your contact, making it less likely that you will receive a response. Finally, a subject line that conveys the purpose for your message. Also make sure to send your message from a simple, professional email address. Let's take a look at a sample message. Subject, networking request from a Jones High School student. Dear Ms. Thompson, Dr. Susan Lewis, science teacher at Jones High School, suggested I contact you to discuss your career as a Physician's Assistant. I spent last summer volunteering in the art room of a children's hospital, where I had the opportunity to create art projects with young patients. I enjoyed this experience working directly with patients and it has led to my interest in pursuing a career as a Physician's Assistant after college. I am very interested in learning more about your career path and how to make myself marketable for future opportunities. Please let me know if you'd be available for a brief meeting or telephone conversation in the next few weeks at your convenience. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Maya Smith. Managing your professional presence online. Linked In is most commonly recommended for online networking because it only allows professionally related content. However, all social media sites can be used to publicly highlight your experience, share knowledge, and demonstrate your skills, if your postings are related to professional topics, rather than your personal life. Some people use sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to share content like blog posts and presentation clips that will help them attain visibility. If your social media pages are more for personal use than professional use, make sure you manage your online presence. Use privacy settings to keep private content private. Potential employers and admissions officers often visit applicant's social media profiles. In summary, networking is a critical tool for your professional development and job search success. When using LinkedIn to network online, create a strong profile that displays your experience, and conveys your career interest. Also join relevant groups to connect with professionals in the field. It is fine to reach out to contacts through LinkedIn or via email, but do so with a concise message that clearly states your reason and interest in speaking with that individual. Finally, don't forget the importance of keeping private information private. Always maintain an awareness of your privacy settings on social media sites, particularly those that are not related to your professional interests. [MUSIC]
