Networking Tips to Offer Your Recent Grad

by Hallie Crawford, MA, CPCC

Networking is still one of the greatest ways for your young adult to find a job. Resumes from referrals tend to land at the top of the applications stack and are typically reviewed first. If you are in the predicament of helping your college graduate or young adult find their own way in the working world, here are some quick tips to pass on to help them network in a group or one-on-one setting:

• Be clear. Have your son or daughter get to the point of what they are looking for. What kind of job or opportunity do they want? Make sure they know to keep it short and sweet so they can communicate it easily.
  
  
• Rehearse. Encourage your child to have their ten-minute elevator speech ready at a moment’s notice. You never know when or where the opportunity will arise; when they will meet someone and need to get right into the details of their search. Spending idle time stumbling over words will leave a bad impression and give the idea that your son or daughter is not serious about his or her job search.
  
  
• Tell everyone they are looking. Leave no stone unturned. For both you and your child, this includes friends, family, fellow or former classmates – even current or past professors. You never know who might know someone in the field in which your adult child is interested.
  
  
• Don’t be shy. Now is not the time for your child to be reserved in asking for help. Instead, encourage them to ask for the referral. If the people they are speaking with enjoy what they are doing, they are usually more than happy to lend a helping hand and offer suggestions or recommendations. Just remind your son or daughter to keep their message short and concise. Again, encourage your child to go for it. After all, the worst that can happen is that your child gets a no. Remember… nothing ventured, nothing gained.
  
  
• Follow-up: Have your child follow up with the referral offered and the person who provided it. And then… have them follow up again. People are busy and may need a few reminders before getting back with your son or daughter. Encourage your child to continue their follow up calls, as long as they are not bombarding the contact with constant messages. Make sure your son or daughter sends a hand-written thank you note to the person who helped them.
  
  
• And most importantly, remind your child that this can be a lengthy process. Encourage your son or daughter to maintain a positive attitude and to be true to his or herself!

Copyright 2008 Hallie Crawford. All rights reserved.

About the Author: 

Help your college grad get on the right track!

Certified Career Coach Hallie Crawford specializes in helping recent college grads and boomerangs identify their ideal career path and make it happen. To schedule a complimentary consultation and find out more about Hallie visit http://www.halliecrawford.com or contact her at 877-298-6444.

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