Our alumni network basically runs New England—it’s no lie. Many Suffolk Political Science & Legal Studies alumni are in elected office and public administration! Experts estimate that 70-90% of job seekers find employment through networking. Networking is the process of meeting and talking to people in your field or a field that interests you to learn about a company, industry, and/or career; to build a network; and to access perspective of future or current colleagues. Whether you are exploring careers, established in a field and building connections, or searching for opportunities, networking is an important process in your career engagement.
How do I network?
Establish a Personal Brand
The first step in networking is to create a “personal brand” representing your dynamic combination of unique skills, experiences, and perspectives you offer for an employer. Your personal brand should be intentional and strategic across your application materials (resume, cover letter, statements of intent), LinkedIn, and other social media.
Develop an Elevator Pitch
What if you ran into someone who works at your dream company on an elevator and you only had 20-30 seconds to tell them who you are and why they should get to know you?
- Provide background: identify in 1-2 points what you are studying or where you are working currently; provide brief geographical context if the individual with whom you are speaking does not know about your current setting
- Announce your interest in the connection: establish how you learned about the person or opportunity and your enthusiasm for networking
- Highlight relevant experiences: share how you can contribute to the company based on 1-2 experiences or qualifications that you hold that are most relevant for the role or connection
- Wrap it up: thank them for their time and opportunity to connect; inquire whether you may follow up via phone, email, and/or LinkedIn
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