网络

• Contacts in your network can provide insider information about career fields 和 companies you might want to explore.
• Your network can give you advice on where to look for jobs or to review your resume.
• Connections can alert you to desirable 和 unadvertised job openings. Many employers utilize referrals from employees or friends to fill positions before they advertise.
• Getting referred to a job by a contact can give you an edge over other applicants.
• Connections may refer you to other people who are in a unique position to help or advise you.

Every person you meet has the potential to help you in an unexpected way or to connect you with someone who can. Keep an open mind about who is in your network:

• 教授和讲师
• 职业和学术顾问
• U of I alumni 和 the greater V和al community (ex. 利用 汪达尔导师网络 for building V和al to V和al 连接 和 mentoring.)
• 朋友和同学
• 家人和朋友
• Professionals working in your field
• Past 和 present co-workers 和 supervisors
• Student 和 professional association members
• 地方组织成员(e.g., 博伊西青年专业人士)
• 社交媒体上的联系(例如.g.， LinkedIn, 脸谱网, Instagram)
• 联系人 网络的夜晚、招聘活动; 人才招聘会往往会
• People you meet through everyday interactions — your hair stylist, 咖啡师, 医生, 牙医, 当地街角商店员工, 仅举几个例子

• Don't be discouraged if networking initially seems intimidating to you; it is a skill set that will develop over time with practice.
• 从你认识的人开始. You may have a family friend or past classmate who works in your field of interest. Consider reaching out to them to ask for advice (don't focus solely on asking for a job, since this may seem self-interested). Focus on learning from their experience; you never know what a simple conversation could lead to.
• If you are networking for a specific purpose (such as finding a summer internship), clarify your own goals before going into a conversation. What kind of internship are you looking for, 和 what locations are you open to? Knowing what you are looking for makes it easier for others to help you.
• Take every opportunity to ask people in your network for advice. Do they have any ideas about where to find a summer internship in your field? What advice do they have for someone hoping to go into this career?
• Put yourself in situations where you will have a chance to meet new people 和 network. 就业服务主持人 人才招聘会往往会 和 网络的夜晚 events that are excellent networking opportunities. Professional conferences, workshops, 和 community events are also great places to network.
• 考虑做一个 信息性面试 or job shadow with a professional in your field of interest. This is a great way to gain insight 和 build a new connection.
• Use social media such as LinkedIn both to create 和 maintain relationships.  Keep your profile up to date to ensure that you can be found by future contacts.
• If you have a good conversation or connection with someone, get their business card 和 follow up with a 谢谢你的邮件. This will help to solidify the connection 和 create an easier path to be in touch in the future.

• 汪达尔导师网络 — Creating powerful professional 连接. 参与. 发现. 帮汪达尔找汪达尔.
• LinkedIn — The world's largest professional network
• 博伊西青年专业人士 — This organization provides business 和 social networking, professional 和 leadership development 和 community 和 civic involvement opportunities.
• 伊利诺伊大学校友关系办公室 — Find ways to connect with other V和als