Training on Networking
Training provided by Ferdinand Petra (in English or French)
1. Definition of networking
- Official definition of networking
- Ferdinand Petra’s definition
- Misconceptions about networking
- Sequantial diagram on how to apprehend well networking
- A good networking does not mean that you will directly get a job interview
- How to reach the job interview thanks to the networking?
2. The four pillars of networking
- Networking mapping
o Family
o Professional experiences
o Extra curricular activities and interest - How to use efficiently LinkedIn
- School alumni meeting and ex-company(ies) alumni
- Other events: industry, company specific events….
3. Networking mapping
- Why this step is so important to be efficient in networking?
- What are the tools to help you build this mapping?
4. Efficient use of LinkedIn
- What type of information to include in LinkedIn?
- How much information should you include? More or less than a CV ?
- Should you include a summary? If yes, what should be its content?
- Well define your LinkedIn url
- How to identify the relevant contacts through LinkedIn?
o Do you have to pay for the Premium function of LinkedIn?
o The networking follow up Excel file is a “must have” - Example of contact email templates
o What should be the key points of such email?
o How to use your netowrking mapping for this email?
5. Networks of School and ex-exemployer(s) alumni
- Where to find the relevant information to meet such alumni and be efficient?
- How to best use the ressources provided by your School alumni association?
o Job offers?
o Club, Thematic and sectorial associations
o List of alumni vs. LinkedIn
6. How to optimize your participation to industry, alumni and company specific events
- How to identify such events? Which ones are relevant for networking?
o Identify the key companies
o What are the key themes of your industry?
o What sport’s event to attend to when they are sponsored by one of your target companies? - Which behaviour to adopt in such networking events
o How to approach a group of 2 or 3 persons?
o What will make other persons happy to discuss with you?
o What are the discussion topics to avoid
o How to start a conversation (“Ice breaker”)? - Examples of emails to get a first contact (do & don’t)
- Examples of “thank you” emails (do & don’t)