Networking and Informational Interviews

Networking requires patience as it will not always result in immediate results, however 80% of all positions are found this way. It also requires that you be assertive when talking to potential employers or networking contacts.

 What is networking & informational interviewing?

Find a Career Mentor on UCAN at HoosOnline.com.

One means of networking is with UVA alumni. Stop by Thornton A115 to learn how to access the UCAN database of alumni which can only be accessed within on the the career services offices.

MentorNet
The E-Mentoring Network for Women in Engineering and Science. MentorNet is a nonprofit initiative sponsored through partnerships, grants and donations. Our mission is:

• To further women's progress in scientific and technical fields through the use of a dynamic, technology-supported mentoring program.
• To advance women and society, and enhance engineering and related sciences, by promoting a diversified, expanded and talented workforce.

LinkedIn.com
LinkedIn is an online network of more than 11 million experienced professionals from around the world, representing 150 industries.

When you join, you create a profile that summarizes your professional accomplishments. Your profile helps you find and be found by former colleagues, clients, and partners. You can add more connections by inviting trusted contacts to join LinkedIn and connect to you.

Your network consists of your connections, your connections’ connections, and the people they know, linking you to thousands of qualified professionals.

Through your network you can:

• Find potential clients, service providers, subject experts, and partners who come recommended
• Be found for business opportunities
• Search for great jobs
• Discover inside connections that can help you land jobs and close deals
• Post and distribute job listings
• Find high-quality passive candidates
• Get introduced to other professionals through the people you know
  

LinkedIn is free to join. They also offer paid accounts that give you more tools for finding and reaching the right people, whether or not they are in your network.