Career Services Series (Part 3): Guidance for College Students Seeking Employment During COVID-19 

April 28, 2020

By Connie Harrington, Associate Director of Career Development & Employer Relations 

Last week in Part 2 of the Career Services Series: Guidance for College Students Seeking Employment During COVID-19, I discussed professional job search materials and how to communicate your message as part of developing your professional brand. One of the basic components of professional branding is the resume.  Part 1 of the series covered the importance of a good resume format as the key to getting your resume noticed).  Networking is a significant component of an expedited job search. In Part 3 we will address how, with the Covid-19 restrictions, the entire process can be done virtually while remaining effective, as most employers have converted to virtual communication. 

Part 3: How to Become a Notable Networker 

Networking is a powerful tool.  It is one of several professional branding and development strategies that will enable you to proactively manage your career. You will have many different objectives in networking.  One of the key factors in creating those relationships is your willingness to reciprocate and help others. 

Networking is… 

  • Connecting with colleagues, talking to people 
  • Receiving and providing information and feedback 
  • Creating lasting relationships 
  • Being a resource to others 
  • Expanding who you know and who knows you 

The networkers role is… 

  • Know yourself (your professional brand) 
  • Acknowledge what you already know 
  • Define what you need to know 
  • Determine critical business needs 
  • Discover who has the information you need 

Networking objectives are to … 

  • Seek information about industry trends and related internal opportunities 
  • Identify mentors 
  • Get referrals to specific individuals 
  • Connect with others in professional associations 
  • Meet with colleagues to gain new ideas and stay on track 
  • Build a diverse network 

Networking is a natural part of life – “word of mouth” advertising, doing business with people you know and trust, and finding service professionals through referrals. Networking is connecting with others to receive and provide both information and feedback.  Networking also involves expanding who you know and who knows you.  

Networking is a mutual process.   

Assistance, additional information, and resources are available at Career Services. You can schedule meetings by emailing careers@captechu.edu, by calling 240-965-2494, and through Symplicity. All meeting will be held via Zoom. You will need to sign into Zoom to join the meeting and will be placed in a waiting room for me to begin the meeting. 

Click here to read Part 4 of this series - Virtual Interviewing Techniques.