Module 9: Intro to Networking

Objectives:

what networking is and how can it help you
networking techniques
digital tools for online networking
networking mind map

Elbow-bump your way to the top.

Photo credit: Pete SouzaCourtesy of The White House

Networking: making and caring for your connections

Networking is making and caring for your connections with other people. We all do it already, but we network more purposefully when looking for a job. It's certainly worth making an extra effort to let others know you're in the market for a job and to lend a hand (or an elbow) to others, as well. We're all in this together!

ASSIGNMENT #1:

GCF Global Tutorial: Networking Basics (20 minutes)

What is the hidden job market, and why is it important?
What are two tips from the tutorial for getting help from people in your network?
How many ways can you think of to network?

Connecting in the Digital Age: Online Networking Tools

Maybe you already use Facebook, and certainly you've heard of it. It's one of the most used social networking sites. Facebook is easy to access. You can either visit the website or you can download the app to your smart phone. Facebook will help you find and reach out to people you know. Once you connect, you can share ideas, news stories, photos, and videos. You can also find groups who share your interests such as gardening or bird watching, and you can find local resources. Facebook can also help you let people know in your community and beyond that you're looking for work.

Tutorial: What Is Facebook

Facebook is popular, so it is useful. But it's not specialized for helping with job search. The most important social networking tool for job search is LinkedIn. The video below shows how it works.

What is LinkedIn

LinkedIn is an online social networking platform for managing career connections. it's like Facebook for people who are focused on job and career related topics.

Suggested activity:

Create a LinkedIn account

We have intentionally put the homework ahead of the resources here. We suggest you challenge yourself by creating a LinkedIn account first, and then consult the resources from the following section (3. Resource pool) to refine your LinkedIn presence.

ASSIGNMENT #2:

Go to www.linkedin.com to set up a new LinkedIn account. Invite your Instructor to connect.

For tablet/smart phone users, download and install the LinkedIn app.

Android phones and tablets: use the Google Play app
iPhone and iPad: use the App Store app

For those who have already create a LinkedIn account profile, jump straight ahead to the Resource pool, gather some tips, and implement the best suggestions into your existing LinkedIn profile. Invite your Instructor to connect with you on LinkedIn.

Resource pool and second draft

It's time for your second draft.

Review these resources and apply the information to hone your LinkedIn profile.

Here's a great, one-stop web resource to guide you through LinkedIn Basics from tip to tail. We have broken it down into sections to make it easy for you to jump around:

GCFGlobal tutorial: LinkedIn basics

And read this one, too:

LinkedIn article: LinkedIn etiquette: 20 do's and don'ts

Optional (recommended) links:

Jobscan article: 12 impactful LinkedIn headline examples from real people

Forbes article about Jobscan, a blue-collar alternative to LinkedIn:
LinkedIn for the working class

ASSIGNMENT #3:

Email your Instructor when your profile is ready for review. Get your Instructor's verification that you have built a LinkedIn page with the following features:

An appropriate profile picture
A well-phrased headline that captures the essence of what you offer professionally
Invitations to at least ten connections
A completed and well-presented profile providing a skills summary and highlights of your work and/or volunteer experience

Required video:

GCF Global Tutorial Video: What is LinkedIn?

Digital video conferencing

As you get closer to landing your next job, you will probably find yourself being scheduled for a phone interview. That's simple enough - though you should always practice (refer to our Lesson on Interviewing). But what if the employer says, "Let's do a Zoom call," or, "Let's meet on ______ (some weird, made-up-sounding word)?"

One of the challenges we face today is that there are so many ways to connect online, we must continuously learn to use new digital tools. Don't panic, though. The digital video-conferencing software programs all work in much the same way, and if you've used one, you can always figure the next one out, too. And guess what? We already use Microsoft Teams in this class, so you have this in the bag.

Here are some of the digital video conferencing applications you might be asked to use for an online interview. Whichever one it is, just download it to your device (there are versions for computers, tablets, and smart phones), sign up, and go! As with anything, practice makes perfect, so budget some time ahead of your interview to download the program the hiring manager wants to use, and test it out with a friend or family member.

Assignment #4: Discussion Questions

Can you think of any downsides to using Facebook as a way to network for jobs? If your next employer looks at your Facebook page, is it going to make them want to hire you?
How might your selection process for Facebook friends differ from your approach to adding new LinkedIn contacts?

Recommended Activity: How confident are you in your ability to download and use a new video-conferencing app if you need to do that? Why not find out by trying a new one from the list above?

Professional networking mind map, partially completed.

Suggested Activity: Mapping your connections - and your networking plan

ASSIGNMENT #5: Build a Mind map

A mind map is a great way to help you organize your thoughts and develop a networking plan of action. Take a look at the simplified professional networking mind map image. You're going to use this as a model for building your own networking mind map.

Grab a pen and a sheet of paper and plot out a 2x3-grid table, with you in the middle. The columns will divide your network connections into Personal (left-hand) and Professional (right-hand) connections. The rows will be (from top to bottom) Job Connections, Reference Letters, and Sounding Board/Advice.
Think about people you know from past jobs and elsewhere in your life, and then think about how they can be most helpful to you in your job search. Write down their name in the appropriate box on your table, perhaps jot a note about how they can help, and indicate how you will reach out to them. Once you have given yourself a few good leads, you can start reaching out.
Keep building. As you reach out to your connections, one thing you can ask is whether they can introduce you to well-positioned people in their own networks. If so, add them to your map. If you start running out of room on your map, that's a great problem to have.
Share your mind map with your instructor and classmates. Your teacher will instruct you about how to submit your mind map.
Maintain those relationships. Your mind map serves as a visual reminder of whom to reach out to. Did you remember to thank your former colleague for that job tip? Have you asked whether there's anything you can do to help them?

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