The Isenberg Alumni Guide:
Networking & LinkedIn
Building A Network
Networking is about building and sustaining mutually beneficial relationships and connecting with people who are willing and receptive to being helpful – and offering yourself as a resource. In today’s world, networking is crucial in career development and exploration. At its core, networking is the exchange of information, ideas, and support. Ideally, networking is a “win-win” where both parties benefit. Networking takes practice and effort but can yield significant results and open up incredible opportunities.
Networking is important for gaining insights in:
- Potential job opportunities
- Trending topics in a field of interest
- Resources for career development
- Company-specific information
- Advice for projects or achieving goals
- Mentoring opportunities
Potential networking connections include:
- Colleagues and stakeholders, both past and present
- Direct reports, both past and present
- Your manager, both past and present
- Clients, customers, or users
- Fellow Isenberg Alumni
- UMass Faculty and department chairs
- Isenberg Career Coaches
- Family, friends, and neighbors
- Fellow conference attendees or professional organization members
Effective networking requires you to be friendly, personable, open, confident, flexible, persistent, and resilient. To make networking work for you, you must be proactive, conduct research, and understand and leverage the power of follow up!
Pro Tip: Networking and the Hidden Job Market
Question: Why is networking crucial to my career development?
Answer: 85% of positions are filled via networking. In fact, over 60% of jobs are not posted on public job boards. The earlier you can build your network, the easier it can be to tap into the hidden job market.
Types of Networking
While there are other online networking opportunities, LinkedIn is the world’s largest online professional networking site, including over 900 million professional profiles and executives from each of the Fortune 500 companies. Since 94% of recruiters cite LinkedIn as a primary recruiting source, you definitely want to take advantage of the opportunity to display a strong profile that represents you as a professional. Did you know that there are over 29,000 Isenberg alumni profiles listed on LinkedIn? LinkedIn is an invaluable tool you can use to make connections and begin building your professional network.
UMass and Isenberg offer access to two important alumni groups. Joining these groups is easy and you already have something in common with all of the members.
- Isenberg School of Management, UMass Amherst, Official Alumni Group
- University of Massachusetts (UMass) Amherst Alumni
In addition to the groups above, you can also search LinkedIn for UMass alumni or UMass alumni within a specific industry. This will return a much larger pool of potential connections, but can be a helpful way to begin your search for networking opportunities.
Consider joining a professional organization to increase your networking opportunities such as the American Marketing Association or American Accounting Association. Many professional organizations have access to professional development opportunities and a wide variety of industry experts. This is a fantastic way to enhance your professional network while learning more about your area of interest or expertise.
Many professional organizations also regularly host events or conferences. Joining a professional organization can be a great way to learn about events in your industry and connect with other professionals in person.
In-person networking occurs at industry events, company-sponsored events, receptions, professional meetings, conferences, and seemingly random places where you meet new people. Every event you attend is an opportunity to make new connections and build your network. Before attending a networking event, if possible, research the attendees. This will allow you to make a gameplan of who you want to connect with based on career path, university affiliation, and more.
During the event, approach individuals and introduce yourself professionally. It can also be helpful to break the ice with small talk to make you both comfortable and to get the conversation started before moving on to other topics.
UMass also offers many opportunities for Alumni to connect in person and network. As a UMass Alumni, you are welcomed and encouraged to attend. For more information about upcoming events, please visit the UMass Events page.
There are also a number of informal groups that offer networking opportunities. These are typically hosted on platforms like Slack, Meetup, Eventbrite, and Fishbowl. Often, they are organized by industry and location (e.g. Boston Product slack group). These groups regularly host local events, allow posting of questions to the platform to get informal advice, and provide a way to connect with other professionals that share your interests or expertise.
Many companies also offer former employees the opportunity to join an official Alumni groups when departing a company in good standing (e.g. EY Alumni). Before you leave a company, be sure to inquire about any potential Alumni groups that you are eligible to participate in and join the appropriate mailing list. Corporate Alumni groups host events, send VIP emails, and may offer perks to members. Joining a company alumni group is an easy way to maintain the connections you built while working there, and you have something in common with all of the other members.
Maintaining A Network
Networking doesn’t stop after the initial introduction or conversation is over. Over time, it’s important to invest in the connections you build and reach out regularly to connect. The cadence of any communication will generally depend on the level of connection, tenure, and interest of the other party.
To start, follow up on your initial introduction. This is a valuable opportunity to leave a lasting positive impression, show effective communication skills, and move the relationship forward. You’ll set yourself apart by taking this action as many people who network do not follow-up and lose valuable potential resources. Don’t take it personally if people don’t respond or a new relationship does not become significant. The more people you meet, the broader your network will become. Focus on nurturing the relationships you have, receive referrals from their network, and continue to expand your connections.
From there, continue to invest in your network over time. For example, you may forward a helpful journal article, recommend an excellent speaker from a recent conference, or share a new product that you enjoyed. Keep in mind that a solid networking relationship involves giving and taking and is mutually beneficial. Be sure to reach out to members of your network whenever you identify a potential opportunity to help them. These steps will help strengthen your networking relationships and ensure that they last.
You never know when your paths will cross, or when that individual will be in the position of helping you professionally, so always express your appreciation, follow through, and pay it forward!
Pro Tip: Following Up with a New Connection
Question: When should I follow up after making a connection or an informational interview?
Answer: You should be proactive and follow up within 48 hours via LinkedIn message or email. Make sure to personalize your message by adding a specific topic you talked about or shared interest.
Pro Tip: Staying Organized while Networking
Keep your networking contacts organized using a system that works for you. Track types of communication, interactions, dates, and next steps. Remember, practice makes perfect! Networking is an essential skill that opens doors, in both your personal and professional life. Take a deep breath, push your fear aside and start building your network today!
You can utilize IConnect’s Networking Excel sheet, available here, to keep your networking contacts organized
