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Printer-Friendly ModeDon't Drunk Dial HR
November 16, 2009 —
Students put their networking skills to the test Tuesday at “Don’t Drunk Dial HR.”
The presentation in the Rhea Miller Recital Hall gave tips on how to approach the job search. (In this instance, “drunk dialing” involves calling someone without knowing what you will say or even what you want.)
Presenters at the event, put on by Career Planning and Placement, emphasized that when trying to network, you should “be able to articulate what you are looking for and how others may help you.” The alternative is the equivalent to “drunk dialing.”
Of course, looking for a job is more than making phone calls. Mike Major, interim director of Career Planning and Placement, discussed what he called the three levels of contacts.
The first-level contacts are friends and families. When these contacts make referrals to other people, these people become the level-two contacts.
“Level-two contacts are the key because oftentimes, it will be the direct connection to your field,” Major said.
Major pointed out that when talking to level-two contacts you should ask for advice, request résumé reviews, tell them briefly about yourself and follow up with a brief thank-you note.
If meeting with level-two contacts goes well, they may refer you to another contact: level-three contacts. In the process, the amount of people quickly and creates a good-sized network.
One of the tips presented by Mark Potts, assistant dean for undergraduate programs, was knowing “your personal pitch.” He taught participants how to concisely present relevant details about themselves when networking.
After the presentation, participants took part in “speed networking.” Similar to speed dating, students rotated from person to person giving their personal pitch.
Jonathan Baldwin, an athletic training sophomore, admitted that he came to the presentation for the free refreshments, but said he still enjoyed the experience.
“It is much easier to talk to people than I thought it would be,” Baldwin said.
Exercise science sophomore Brianne Webly said she found the speed networking tips to be useful. “You can learn quite a bit of information from somebody in a short amount of time.”
But the biggest lesson, Webly said, is how that kind of interaction is universal. “I will remember most that networking can start pretty much anywhere.”