Networking

Networking is all about building and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships that feel authentic to you. These relationships can often be powerful for both career decision-making and the job search process.

Many people worry that they aren’t extraverted enough for networking, or that it’s all about ‘selling yourself’ or taking advantage of other people. Learn how to reframe networking to asking for directions from a friendly professional community.

Benefits of networking

In North America, it’s common for employers to hire people they know, or who have connections to people they know. One way to consider this approach from the employer perspective is to think about how you can also consult your trusted friends, family, and other relations for advice and introductions to others. Employers similarly consult their networks to ensure they meet the best candidates possible.

Investing in your professional network means you can get advice, referrals and inside information from experts in your field. It also means there will be more people in the world that know who you are, what you are capable of, and the kinds of opportunities that interest you.

By taking the time to meet new people in your industries of interest, you can:

• Gain first-hand, current information about the world of work to help develop your job-search strategy.
• Connect with experts who have knowledge of trends and opportunities in your field.
• Meet interesting, like-minded people who may end up being your future supervisors, mentors, or colleagues.

Rethinking what a network is

Networking doesn’t just happen at planned professional events; it also occurs in your daily interactions with classmates, faculty, family, friends, neighbours, acquaintances, supervisors and co-workers. Talk to these people about your career-related goals and ask for their help. You never know who or what they might be able to introduce to you.

The people you meet and the friends you make while studying at UBC are a part of your network too. They may be fellow students and peers now, but in 5 or 10 years they will be working professionals. Investing in these relationships can pay off in the future, not to mention making your time on campus more memorable.

Where to network

There are many ways to connect with employers and professionals in your areas of interest. Keep up to date on networking events taking place through the UBC Career Centre by checking the events calendar. Make sure to also check your department, Faculty, or student union to learn about what they are planning.

Below are some other ways you might meet people:

• Go to career fairs, employer info sessions, and professional development workshops.
• Attend meetings or events organized by professional associations in your fields of interest. Sometimes this requires becoming a member but many events are free. In some cases you may be able to volunteer for free membership. Find helpful association suggestions for your industry under Your Degree.
• Attend off-campus networking events. Sites like Eventbrite and Meetup are great tools to find off-campus events that could connect you to people working in your fields of interest.
• Join a UBC student club based on your interests, even if they aren’t directly related to your career goals.
• Speak to people at your UBC lectures or public lectures about topics related to your interests.
• Schedule informational interviews.
• Volunteer for an organization that shares your interests or values. The Go Volunteer site is a great resource to find opportunities.
• Find other spaces where you can interact with new people!

Expand your network with LinkedIn

Learn about what other UBC alumni are doing after their graduation. Find out what they studied and what they do now by following the steps below and then reach out to a few for informational interviews.

1. Visit LinkedIn and create a free profile.
2. Search “The University of British Columbia”.
3. Select the “Alumni” tab.
4. Refine your search by clicking on the available categories or doing your own custom search.
5. Explore the profiles that match your search.
6. If you find someone whose interests or career path intrigue or inspire you, invite them to connect. Send alumni a personalized message letting them know you would like to learn more about their job, career story, academic background, etc. Make sure to tell them what caught your attention and why.

You can also use this method to search for a particular company and then find UBC alumni working at that organization. 

Learn more about LinkedIn and how to make the most of this tool.

The 30-second introduction

You may have heard the term “elevator pitch” before. Despite this commonly used term, it is more like a conversation than a one-sided pitch, and probably won’t happen in an elevator. Instead, these short but powerful opportunities may take place, outside a meeting room, or at an event. It’s your chance to:

• Help others get to know you
• Share important information about yourself and your area of expertise or interest
• Make a connection with the other person
• Take action to move the relationship forward

Think about the context before starting a conversation. Who are you talking to, do you know anything about them already, and what are your reasons for speaking with them? Your approach should reflect your goals and the situation. For example, at a networking event, start by asking about them. If you’re speaking with a hiring manager or a professor you’d like to work with, you can be more direct about your interest.

It all starts with a genuine curiosity about the other person, and making connections between your experience and theirs. Check out this Elevator Conversation video that reframes the elevator pitch to something accessible and friendly.

Writing your intro

It’s normal to feel a bit nervous when introducing yourself, especially the first few times, so consider planning it out and practicing with a friend to help you feel more confident. It can be revisited and revised as your goals and interests change or develop.

Below are some tips:

• Keep it brief and simple.
• Include important pieces of information like your name, specific academic discipline or interest, and professional motivations. For example: “I study sociology because I’m fascinated by the way the societies we live in impact how we communicate with others”.
• Approach the pitch with openness and genuine interest in sharing your vision.
• Remember that networking is about creating mutually beneficial interactions. Be responsive to their questions and be curious about who they are. Don’t just talk, listen and ask questions too.

Tips for networking success

• Do your research
  Always prepare for a networking meeting, even if it’s informal. Learn about the intended audience of an event, or the specific person you are meeting.
• Have a good introduction ready
  A good introduction will leave the person you are talking with excited to get to know you more.
• Show professionalism
  First impressions count, so make sure that you wear clothing that you feel good in and is appropriate for the field or the setting.
• Engage in meaningful conversations
  Open-ended questions such as “what brings you to this event?” can start conversations and allow you to learn about others without being too personal. Demonstrate your interest by asking questions, being genuine and leaving space for others to speak.
• Make good use of your time and theirs
  Don’t spend your entire evening at an event talking to one person. Give yourself and others the opportunity to network with different people. 
• Keep an open mind
  Not everyone you meet will be able to offer you a job, but you never know the people someone might be connected to. You can increase your chances of reaching your goals by talking to and making a good impression on as many people as you can.
• Networking is a two-way street
  Successful networking builds mutually beneficial, positive relationships. Allow people to join your conversations at events while reaching out, sharing information, and connecting to people in your network.
• To exit the conversation
  To end the conversation on a good note, you can say, “It has been a pleasure to meet you. I would like to say hello to several more people before I leave, but I would really like to keep in touch. Can I get your contact information or connect with you on LinkedIn so we might continue our conversation?”.
• Send a thank you email or message
  Take time to thank everyone who gives you advice. Continue to follow-up with your contacts even after you’ve obtained a job to develop and maintain your network for the future. You can do so through email or LinkedIn or other industry-specific communication tools, including social media.

Industry associations and networks

Every field has at least 1 professional association whose role is to regulate industries, provide professional development resources, and connect members.

Below is an introductory list to some professional associations by field, but you can also find more on your degree-specific page.

Even conducting a keyword internet search focused on your industries of interest can be helpful. You may also find professional associations focused on affinity groups, such as the Indigenous Professional Association of Canada.

Additional resources

Career events and workshops

Whether you’re looking to improve your job applications or find resources to help you develop your career, UBC has events and workshops to support you.

If you have questions

Contact the UBC Career Centre for any questions.