Networking is Like Dating
(But Please Don’t Date Your Boss)
Author bio: Sydney Henderson is a BA English student currently working with AWE as the Communications and Program Support Intern.
Hey, remember 8 months ago when we were all worried we’d be stuck social distancing for (gasp) a couple of weeks? While we may look nostalgically back at those days when we were all ignorant towards just how long these “unprecedented times” would last, it should be no surprise to anyone that most of us are going to be working and learning virtually for the foreseeable future. While a lot of you may be wondering how you’re supposed to network if you can’t do it in person, I’m here to offer you a bit of advice (with the help of some on point gifs), especially for those of us completely unfamiliar with networking. But here’s something that may offer you a tiny ray of hope — networking is a lot like dating.
Just please don’t get confused and try to date your boss. The power imbalance… oof.
Like dating, networking is all about forming a relationship.
Now, I’m going to be honest and say that I’m no dating expert, but I do know the main goal is forming a relationship with another person. Though the stereotypical image of networking is making small talk at a conference with someone thirty years older than you, it doesn’t have to be that way. Networking is simply a way that you form a positive relationship with someone else, so that later down the line they may think of you for an opportunity, and vice-versa. That means you can network with anyone, from a colleague, to a friend, or even with someone new!
And, if you’re looking to get into a career that you have previously had little to no access to, it’s time to try something new: information interviews.
Information Interviews and Zoom dates — pretty much the same thing.
An information interview is when you set up a time between you and someone you’re interested in learning from, maybe someone whose career matches your career goals, to talk about everything you want to know about their career journey.
How much do you ‘research’ your interviewee? Well, if you know your date’s life history before you even meet, that’s pretty creepy. But with an information interview, it’s best practice to do your homework. You want to know as much as you can about the person’s position, in order to craft interview questions that can really go in-depth and make the interviewee feel like you really want to learn more about what it is that they do at the company that they work for. Don’t Instagram or Facebook stalk them or anything, but research their LinkedIn to find out about their own career interests. From there, all you have to do is use that research to email the appropriate person — perhaps someone working in HR — to set up an information interview.
Proper Etiquette — Don’t be ‘that guy’.
Your research should key you in on the proper way to address the person. For example, if they’ve spent years working on their doctorate, don’t refer to them as “Mr.” or “Ms.” so and so. Using the proper pronouns is highly important too! It’s all about respect, and you want to make the best first impression that you can with the person you’re planning on speaking with. The quickest way to get your email thrown in the trash bin is to show a lack of research or understanding.
Just like while on a date, this requires being upfront with exactly what you want out of the relationship. For example, if you’re looking for a serious relationship while they’re in for something more casual, not being on the same page early can lead to disappointment later on. That’s why it’s important to get to the point in your introductory email sooner rather than later. If you spend the first few sentences talking about how great you think the company is, odds are they might miss the part where you ask to talk to someone. Remember if you don’t know what you want, they won’t either.
LinkedIn is “business” Tinder.
Odds are, if you’re applying for a job nowadays, the hiring manager is going to check out your social media before they call you in for an interview. In this case, you want the first thing they check out to be your LinkedIn profile rather than your (hopefully pre-COVID) weekend shenanigans.
Creating a LinkedIn profile is pretty similar to creating a dating profile. You want the person to see your best side — the official you that is the perfect future employee for the company you’re interested in. That means having a professional profile picture, something that isn’t a selfie, with a neutral background, and with you wearing your best business casual outfit. From there, you can fill in all of your skills and accomplishments, just like how Tinder, Bumble, and any of those other millions of dating apps let you list all of your interests.
It’s important to follow up! But don’t be creepy about it.
So say you’ve finished with the interview, and it’s left you with a good feeling. The conversation went well, you learned a lot about the company you’re interested in, and you felt like you left a good impression. So what now?
It’s important to be proactive, but you need to do that in a way that isn’t too much. Just like how spamming your date’s phone with texts after a date shows how needy you can be, it’s important not to overwhelm the person you interviewed with messages. Remember, an information interview is no guarantee for a position, only that you’ve put yourself out there.
On the other hand, don’t ghost them either! Be sure to send them a thank-you email, and then network with them on LinkedIn. That way, you can continue to stay on their radar in a way that’s both subtle and professional.
Career Exploration Interviews: Just like speed-dating!
Still unsure about how this whole process works? The Career Center is making it super easy for you! Right now they are offering students the opportunity to connect with a number of professionals from various sectors who are all eager to talk with you! As a replacement for the usual in-person Job Shadow program, this year’s virtual version is the Career Exploration Interview (or CEIs). The experts that have signed up for this program are specifically there to help you succeed. Like speed-dating, where everyone in the room is on the same page about what they want, CEIs eliminate the possibility of rejection from a potential interviewee. They also can serve as great practice for any interviews you take part in the future!
Applications close Sunday, November 1, so swipe right on that! … I’ll see myself out.
Fall Term Career Exploration Interviews (CEIs):
- Get full details on the UAlberta Career Centre website
- Application deadline extended to: Sunday, November 1, 2020
- CEIs run Monday, November 16 — Friday, November 27, 2020 with exact date(s) and time(s) based on the host’s availability and preferences
- Review the host profiles on campusBRIDGE; your application allows you to select your top 3 hosts
- Remember to check your preferred hosts’ availability (you don’t want to get matched with your top pick only to realize you can’t make their set times)
- Undergrad students, grad students, post docs and alumni are all encouraged to apply
- There is no fee for this program, however participants are expected to cover their own incidental costs such as phone or internet access
Not prepared to sign up for this round? Get familiar with the process and keep in mind there will more CEIs in Winter term. And you can always contact the HUB Career Centre to learn more about all the career development supports for Arts students.
HUB Career Centre email: artsworkexperience@ualberta.ca
