Networking Wheel

We all know more people than we think we do. The key is to identify them clearly so you can use them more effectively. Please pay particular attention to growing your network contacts as discussed this week. NOTE: Refer to the powerpoint for specific instructions on how to build your network.

Part One: Fill in your Wheel in it's current state. Identify all the places that you go in the course of your day to day life. Think about your social, academic, work and personal life. The idea is to turn the places you already go into active parts of your networking wheel. Identify two First Degree Contacts in each location.

Part Two: Address your Wheel’s strengths and growth areas. Also identify how you will use your personality, interests and skills discussed earlier in the term to develop your Wheel.

Part Three: Make contact with one First Degree Contact via email, FB message, LinkedIn message, etc. Attach the email header and message, FB message, LinkedIn message, Tweet or photocopy/scan of a written note to verify your networking contact. The goals is to ask your First Degree Contact for information that could turn into a Second Degree Contact.

Extra Credit: Make contact with your Second Degree Contact. Include a copy of your networking contact effort. Be sure to pre-identify what you want to know: more information about the field, information about how to find an internship, information about how to break into the field, etc.

 

Networking Wheel Template Sheet

• Label each arrow closest to the circle representing YOU with the names of places that you currently include as part of your day to day life. Ex: gym, school, work, place of worship, club, sports team, etc.
• At each location, identify TWO first degree contacts: people you already know in some way. Write their name in the First Degree Contact box. 
• Approach your first degree contacts. Tell them about your professional goals. Hint: This is a good place to use your 1 minute commercial. Use the networking skills we discussed in lecture. Ask your first degree contacts for assistance with securing some leads….people you could speak with who are in the industry, in your target company or who might be of help in some way. 

• You are NOT asking for job/internship openings. You are asking for names of people who might be able to guide you in your process. 
• Contact the names given to you. Use the phone email, LinkedIn, or other appropriate social media to introduce yourself. Use your 30 second or one minute commercial to establish contact with your second degree contacts.
• Have some questions prepared. Ex: I’m interested in ________, do you have any suggestions for how to best prepare for that career? Can you tell me about your typical day? Etc.
• Continue to follow up periodically! A network must be kept active or it will disappear.
• Label each arrow closest to the circle representing YOU with the names of places that you currently include as part of your day to day life. Ex: gym, school, work, place of worship, club, sports team, etc.
• At each location, identify TWO first degree contacts: people you already know in some way. Write their name in the First Degree Contact box. 
• Approach your first degree contacts. Tell them about your professional goals. Hint: This is a good place to use your 1 minute commercial. Use the networking skills we discussed in lecture. Ask your first degree contacts for assistance with securing some leads….people you could speak with who are in the industry, in your target company or who might be of help in some way. 

• You are NOT asking for job/internship openings. You are asking for names of people who might be able to guide you in your process. 
• Contact the names given to you. Use the phone email, LinkedIn, or other appropriate social media to introduce yourself. Use your 30 second or one minute commercial to establish contact with your second degree contacts.
• Have some questions prepared. Ex: I’m interested in ________, do you have any suggestions for how to best prepare for that career? Can you tell me about your typical day? Etc.
• Continue to follow up periodically! A network must be kept active or it will disappear.

attached to all this is a picture of how should the wheel look