Session 3

Preparing for Networking Events and Job Applications

Networking in General

Networking is how we engage people in conversation for the purposes of exchanging information and developing contacts to further career opportunities. The vast majority of jobs are obtained this way. This is called the hidden job market, and according to business leaders 70-80% of jobs are not listed they are obtained through internal hiring or through networking Links to an external site..

Quick tips:

Start small. Reach out to family and relatives rather than cold call people you do not know. The next step could be getting in touch with a JSG alum. The JSG Student/Alumni Mentor Group exists for networking and these are great people to reach out to with career questions.
Do not apologize when asking for help. Think of networking not as an imposition but a relationship building opportunity.
Smile. People will respond more openly to a warm smile and want to further a conversation.
Ask questions and listen. Take note of what is important to your new contact. Are you still interested after this information exchange? It’s okay if you are not. Be courteous.
Exchange/ collect business cards and follow up with a thank you email.
When writing a thank you message incorporate anything overlooked in your face-to-face conversation.

Networking resources:

Informational Interviewing

This type of interview helps the interviewer (you) gain firsthand, relevant information about working within a particular career field, industry or position. There are many benefits to initiating this type of contact with an alum or an employer, you can gain insight to a particular company, get insider tips and build a professional relationship and expand your network of contacts in a specific career field. It is very possible these people may forward you job leads to you in the future.

Benefits of Informational Interviewing Links to an external site.
Questions to Ask During an Informational Interview Links to an external site.

Career fairs

Career fairs (or job fairs) are events in which employers, recruiters, and schools give information to potential employees. How you approach a career fair will determine how successful you are at getting an interview and potentially landing a job. There are several career fairs held across UT campus throughout the year. In most cases, students from the Jackson School may attend any of these fairs, if they are appropriate to your career goals. Every fall the Jackson School of Geosciences hosts a career fair for JSG students.

Tips for attending career fairs and networking events: Career Fair and Networking Preparation.pptx Download Career Fair and Networking Preparation.pptx

UT Campus Career Fair Spring 2020 Calendar Links to an external site.

Virtual Career Fairs

Virtual career fairs are just like traditional ones, where employers gather to meet with job seekers and discuss employment opportunities. The only difference here is that it’s held virtually on an interactive platform.
12 Ways to Make the Most Out of a Virtual Career Fair Links to an external site.
Virtual Career Fair Tips-Duke University Links to an external site.
CareerEco
CareerEco Links to an external site. is a very popular virtual career fair platform used by UT-Austin career centers. They have provided an FAQ that is helpful to navigate their virtual events.

Possible Professional Networking Opportunities for JSG Students:
Texas Geosciences Career Fair - Fall
Engineering Expo - Fall, Spring
CNS Technology & Science Career Fair - Fall, Spring
Graduate School Fair - Fall
Company information sessions and mixers- network with recruiters before on campus interviews
Spring Employer Spotlight Days - employers feature opportunities to students in the student center
JSG Alumni Receptions - held during professional conferences such as GSA, AAPG, etc.
JSG Undergraduate Externships - happen over academic breaks (winter/ spring break)
Professional panels held around campus

Academic and industry conferences and meetings

Academic and industry conferences are also important places to grow your network and identify career opportunities. Here are a few tips from the American Geosciences Institute on networking. Links to an external site. Links to an external site.Here is a more comprehensive guide Links to an external site. which does a good job of discussing social media. Here is advice specifically for those who are on the academic path Links to an external site..

Have a plan and set of goals before you go to the conference

Know who you want to meet, and know about them
Have your 30-second elevator pitch ready
Have your networking portfolio in order, and consider bringing business cards Links to an external site.

Events:

Masters Saturday
AGU
GSA

How to package the elements of your professional portfolio

Link across elements
- Include your LinkedIn page and online profile on your resume
- Include a basic or short version of your resume or CV on LinkedIn or your online profile
  - consider deleting personal contact info
  - consider using an abbreviated version
Get a business card and include you LinkedIn page and/or online profile
- UT Printing services will do 100 academic business cards for $30 Links to an external site.
- There are also many business card printing services online

Effective Resume Writing

A resume is the best marketing tool you have to showcase your skills and experiences to potential employers. It can also be used to obtain an internship, scholarship, graduate school admission or assist someone when they are preparing a reference letter you have requested.

Many employers may only glance at your resume for 30 seconds, so the content must catch their attention by being concise, direct, and organized. Including only relevant information is the key to an effective resume. Due to this, you may have a couple of resume versions that target different industries; for example one might be geared toward environmental consulting and one for the oil and gas industry.

Cover Letters
Writing a strong cover letter is as important as a strong resume. Employers highly value one that is well written to the position with related experience, skills and education. A cover letter is not a document that restates your resume or academic CV. It is a written introduction of who you are, why you are applying and what attributes you could contribute to the employer.

Academic CVs