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Tell your story while networking

Tell your story whilenetworking

By Lisa Tessier | Career Planning & Development

Build Relationships:

Networking is about building relationships with people, and the key to successful networking is expanding your circle of connections. The broader your circle, the greater chance you have of accessing opportunities that will help you reach your career goals.


Start Strong:

Networking fosters social mobility according to Mark Granovetter, author of Getting a Job: A Study of Contacts and Careers. Practice networking with your strong ties first, those people closest to you who know you well and provide safe support. Try out your 30 Second Intro Pitch and get their feedback on its effectiveness. Ask these close ties for leads on connections that will help expand your network and solicit their advice on how to approach those outside your inner circle for help reaching your career goals.


Time to Get Out of Your Comfort Zone:

The strong ties are safe and supportive, but the weak ties are more valuable in the job hunt.

  • Search for company recruiters on LinkedIn and connect with them for advice on how to navigate the hiring process.
  • Connect with Drury alumni on LinkedIn in the major, career field, or geographic region you are interested in for advice on how to move forward.
  • Access opportunities for recent graduates by updating your profile on Handshake! Employers will reach out to you if your profile tells a story they are interested in. Recently, companies including Unilever and Google interested in Drury students have messaged them through Handshake.


Tell Your Story:

Networking is the difference between answering a question and telling your story.


When someone asks you, “What are you doing this summer?” you might just answer, “Find a job I guess.” Take advantage of that opportunity by turning your answer into a story. “I’m not sure yet. I really like my botany class and never thought of a career in it before, but now I am curious. I was thinking about checking out opportunities at the nature center and I want to see where else in Springfield I could find a plant related job. Do you have any suggestions?”


How to Talk to Strangers

It is hard enough to talk to strangers but now you have to ask them for help. Be brief while also including enough information about who you are and what you are hoping to get from them. Here are some sample messages, whether connecting on LinkedIn or sending a message by email.


  • To a Recruiter on LinkedIn

"While you may not be hiring, I would appreciate it if you would be willing to do a quick 5-minute call. I would like to get your perspective on the industry."


  • To a Drury Alumni – message to connect on LinkedIn

“As a fellow Drury graduate, I was hoping to connect with you. I will be moving to Colorado and it is nice to connect with fellow alumni!”


  • Alumni email request

"I'm Sam Jones and I just graduated in May with a BS in Psychology. Ideally I would like to work for a non-profit dealing with mental health advocacy in the Chicago area but am open to other opportunities in non-profits, advocacy or mental health. If you have a connection, a lead on an opportunity, or any advice to share, I'd welcome a response."


  • To a Drury Professor

Hi Dr. ________,

How are you doing this year? I miss Drury and especially your class, which prepared me well for [___]. I have had a great first year after Drury working at [organization] but am looking for new opportunities in the [city, state] area, preferably building on my developing [skillset]. Do you have any suggestions or contacts in this area? I attached my resume so you could see what I have been up to. I know you are busy so I appreciate your time.”


Final Tips:

Be patient! Not every networking attempt yields anything useful but one thing leads to another...


Broad requests for help are the hardest to answer. Develop your 30 second introduction, and have as clear an idea of you can of what you have to offer and what specifically you need help figuring out.


Not all networking is done by email or messaging. If in person or on Zoom and you are an introvert, learn to speak up! If you are an extrovert, learn to listen!