632598256894

In this case, you will be speaking with people you don‟t know and don‟t have any affiliation with. For
this reason, you need to leverage your relationship with the individual who recommended you. It is
critical to provide additional validation regarding your skills and experience. Be prepared to lead the
conversation, but note that, ideally, the information flow should be two-way. Listen carefully, and
adjust your messaging based on cues from the other person. Of course, do your homework about the
firm and industry before the conversation—don‟t waste the person‟s time.
Ultimate Key Contact
If you have reached this stage, you‟ve done well, so pause and build on this success. Before talking
with the ultimate key contact, compile the notes of all previous conversations, craft your adjusted
elevator pitch, research the firm and industry of this contact, and prepare questions and thoughts. Use
all of this knowledge to craft your value proposition. You should also be prepared to add insight and
information to the conversation.
Networking Summary
Recall what you are trying to accomplish:
• Acquire additional people to contact.
• Obtain market intelligence about industries, companies, and functions.
• Locate and gain access to the ultimate key contact.
• Secure a position!
Here is one final thought regarding networking: Remember to be gracious, polite, and professional
in all of your interactions. Ask the person what would be the best time and the best way to speak—in
person, over the phone, or via e-mail. Everyone and every conversation has the potential to help, and
displaying a professional demeanor in every interaction will help make those with whom you are
networking feel comfortable enough to open up their Rolodexes and connections to you. Also,
remember to thank them for their time, insights, and assistance. Finally, update each person with your
progress and keep in contact with them throughout your career.
Assessing Opportunities
While most of this discussion has been devoted to strategies to improve your career search efforts, it is
also important to explore how to assess the opportunities that will arise as a result of your efforts.
It is vital to understand the complete value of an opportunity (beyond the monetary compensation).
For example, job A offers a great starting salary as well as some other financial perks, but it also has
some drawbacks. It is not the exact role you were hoping for, the firm is a bit larger than you would