Alumni Networking
Joshua Jampul, of the International Herald Tribune wrote an article on June 29, 2001 called, "Employment/Methods That Work," Top executives in more than 40 countries around the world were asked by Drake Beam Morin, a London-based consultancy, how they would find employment? Their choices were networking, headhunters, the Internet, answering advertisments, or through the mail. "The study revealed that last year, more than 48 percent of executives polled found their jobs through networking."
Networking leads to more opportunities and actual employment that any of the remaining strategies combined. You should approach networking opportunities with a game plan. First, gather your list of potential contacts: organizations, mentors, co-workers, personal friends, and relatives. Then thoroughly research their work and backgrounds. When you choose to contact them either in person or through the mail be prepared to either ask questions and have conversational statements that reflect your research in person or in your written words.
Your list of contacts will be an on-going process throughout your professional career. There are specific questions you should consider when gathering information. What field are they in? Do you know where they work? Do you have a mailing address or telephone number? Can you call them? if so, when? It is important to keep your contact information either in a rolodex, notebook, or in a database file on your computer.
A sample contact format may include:
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Name:
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Employer/Position:
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Address:
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City:
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State:
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Zip Code:
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Phone:
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First Contact:
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Notes:
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Second Contact:
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Notes:
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Mailed Thank you correspondence:
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E-Mail Address:
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If you need assistance call our toll-free number (800-444-1839) at the Alumni Association.
As a convenience, this Web Site contains links to other Web Sites not under the control of the VMI Alumni Agencies or the Alumni Career & Placement Services, and we are not responsible for their contents. The VMI Alumni Agencies and the Alumni Career & Placement Services assume no liability for acts or omissions by third parties or for materials supplied by them.
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