Networking

Networking is simply the process of building positive, advantageous relationships, either by making a connection with someone in person or virtually. It involves speaking with professionals in your fields of interest in order to explore careers and gather information. While some people have an easier time making new connections than others, it is important to remember that everyone is capable of networking.

WHY SHOULD I NETWORK?

EXPLORE CAREERS AND INDUSTRIES If you’re unsure aboutyour field of interest, you can explore options by identifying people who majored in Finance or Corporate Finance & Accounting and are now using those majors in different ways. Then reach out for a conversation.

FIND CONTACTS If you’re more certain about your career path, you can network to establish contacts in that field. These people can become great sources of knowledge or potentially mentors. If you have an interview coming up, you should find someone at the organization to get their insights before the interview.

LEARN ABOUT JOB/INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Networking is a critical component of any job or internship search. Some estimate that as much as 80 percent of new jobs are never listed but are instead filled internally or via networking, so it’s to your benefit to build and activate your network.

HOW SHOULD I NETWORK?

UTILIZE THESE RESOURCES TO LOCATE AND NETWORK WITH ALUMNI AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS: Family

LinkedIn: Build and engage your network with 500+ million professionals from around the world, including 50,000+ Bentley alumni

Bentley University Alumni Chapters: Explore contacts and events occurring in a particular geographic region for those alumni clubs in order to network and connect with alumni in that area.

Professional Associations: Joining a professional association is a great way to boost your networking efforts! Many professional organizations offer a free or reduced membership cost for students. See pages 33-35

WHO IS ALREADY IN MY NETWORK?

Neighbors for a list of relevant professional associations to consider.

Friends

Co-workers & Supervisors

YOU

Professors

Bentley Staff Coaches

An excellent (and easy!) way to start is by searching for Bentley alumni. From your LinkedIn home page, search for “Bentley University and select “Bentley University School ● Greater Boston Area”:

From there, click on “Alumni”, which will bring up an interactive bar chart:

Search for a particular company, job title, or geographic region. Click “Next” to filter by additional categories, including: What they do, What they studied, What they are skilled at, and How you are connected

Click on any of the bars to filter by category. You may filter by multiple categories, i.e. “Where they live: Greater New York City Area” and “Where they work: PwC”. Scroll

down to view the alumni that meet your search criteria.

Can’t find a Bentley alumni who works at your target company? That doesn’t mean you should give up on your attempt to make connections within that company! From your LinkedIn home page, search by company name. When you land on the company’s page, click on “People”, which will bring up an interactive bar chart similar to the Bentley University Alumni chart.

Click “Next” to filter by “What they do”. Identify someone who works in a role that you’re interested in and/or in Human Resources / Campus Recruiting.

Click “Next” again to search by “How you are connected” Do you have any 2 nd degree connections that might be willing to make an introduction for you?

HOW DO I REACH OUT TO CONTACTS?

This depends on your communication preferences and how well you know that person. While email or LinkedIn may be best for someone you don’t know well, a phone call may be appropriate for someone you speak with regularly. Include the following information in any correspondence: your introduction, who referred you / how you found the contact, why you’re reaching out, what you hope to learn, and a specific request (like a brief conversation). Keep in mind that when sending a LinkedIn connection request, you are limited to 300 characters, so you will need to be very succinct. After the initial outreach, wait a week for a reply. If you don’t receive one, send a follow-up message. If you still don’t receive a response, move on to another contact.

CAREER EXPLORATION EMAIL

Dear Mr./Ms. Alum,

I am a junior finance student at Bentley who is interested in learning more about the investment management field. My professor, John Smith, recommended that I reach out to you. [Add one or more lines highlighting why you have interest in the field]. Would you have time for a 15 minutes phone call, at your career path? I would like to hear about your career path and experience in the industry, and ask any advice you would have for me on pursuing the field. I am sure you have many demands on your time, so I thank you for your consideration. I look forward to hearing back from you. Jane Rogers jrogers@bentley.edu | 781.555.1234

LINKEDIN CONNECTION REQUEST

Hi Mr. Jones,

I’m a senior at Bentley majoring in finance. I’d like to learn about your role as a [insert job title here] at convenience, to discuss investment management as a possible

[insert company name here]. Would you be open to speaking with me, at your convenience, to share your experience? I understand your time is valuable and thank you in advance for your consideration. Sincerely, Mary Wilson 617.555.5678