{"id":1769,"date":"2020-04-27T13:27:38","date_gmt":"2020-04-27T17:27:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/?page_id=1769"},"modified":"2026-02-26T06:53:13","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T11:53:13","slug":"networking","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/get-a-job\/strategies\/networking\/","title":{"rendered":"Networking"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"lead\"><strong>How Most People Find Jobs<\/strong><\/div>\n<p>Most people get jobs as a result of networking versus responding directly to job ads. For some, networking comes naturally.\u00a0 For most people, networking is a skill that is learned and practiced, over time.<\/p>\n<p><strong>To learn about networking opportunities<\/strong>, please visit our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/get-a-job\/workshops\/\">Workshop and Events<\/a> web page.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Use the resources below<\/strong>\u00a0to enhance your networking skills and routine.<\/p>\n<div class=\"su-accordion su-u-trim gcc\">\n<div class=\"su-spoiler su-spoiler-style-default su-spoiler-icon-plus su-spoiler-closed\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\" data-anchor-in-url=\"no\"><div class=\"su-spoiler-title\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><span class=\"su-spoiler-icon\"><\/span>What is networking &amp; why does it matter?<\/div><div class=\"su-spoiler-content su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\">\n<p>Networking is still the main way that people find out about and get access to opportunities.<\/p>\n<p>Networking is the process of developing connections with people who may have mutually beneficial information, projects, opportunities, and connections within a relevant professional, industry, or field.<\/p>\n<p>Many of the most successful people in the world are actively networking with many people everyday \u2013 through direct contact and social media platforms.<\/p>\n<p>Networking requires that we:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Develop strong active listening skills<\/li>\n<li>Get comfortable talking about what we have to offer and need<\/li>\n<li>Discern what is relevant and strategic to share in any given moment<\/li>\n<li>Accept &#8220;yesses&#8221; and &#8220;no&#8217;s&#8221;<\/li>\n<li>Exercise respect<\/li>\n<li>Establish trust<\/li>\n<li>Follow-through<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Relevant resources:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/greatergood.berkeley.edu\/quizzes\/take_quiz\/social_capital\">Take the Social Capital Quiz!<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebalancecareers.com\/top-career-networking-tips-2062604\">The Importance of Career Networking<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.investopedia.com\/terms\/s\/socialcapital.asp#:~:text=Social%20capital%20allows%20a%20group,%2C%20values%2C%20and%20mutual%20relationships.\">What is Social Capital? Definition, Types, and Examples<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/money.com\/virtual-networking-college-students-benefit\/\">Virtual Networking &#8211; New Normal that Benefits College Students<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"su-spoiler su-spoiler-style-default su-spoiler-icon-plus su-spoiler-closed\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\" data-anchor-in-url=\"no\"><div class=\"su-spoiler-title\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><span class=\"su-spoiler-icon\"><\/span>Elevator Speech\/Networking Pitch<\/div><div class=\"su-spoiler-content su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\">\n<p>Networking pitches (aka &#8220;elevator speeches&#8221;) can be scripted and rehearsed. However, when it comes time to use them, they are usually adjusted, on the spot, in order to suit a specific person and\/or context.<\/p>\n<p>Here are the basic elements of a networking pitch\u2014not all of which need to be included each time you meet a new person:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Introduce yourself<\/li>\n<li>Find out about them to find common ground<\/li>\n<li>Share relevant goals<\/li>\n<li>Share more about mutual interests and (potentially) beneficial topics, opportunities, contacts, etc.<\/li>\n<li>Offer assistance<\/li>\n<li>Ask for assistance<\/li>\n<li>Identify a way to follow through with them or each other<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Here other resources and models for your consideration:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.howcast.com\/videos\/297027-How-to-Perfect-the-Elevator-Pitch\">How to Perfect the Elevator Pitch<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.themuse.com\/advice\/perfect-pitch-how-to-nail-your-elevator-speech\">Perfect Pitch: How to Nail Your Elevator Speech<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebalancemoney.com\/elevator-speech-examples-and-writing-tips-2061976\">How to Create an Elevator Pitch (with Examples)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Interpersonal skills and attitude can have a tremendous impact on our networking style, as well as the results of networking. To the fullest extent possible:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Stay positive, curious, and open<\/li>\n<li>Respond positively to &#8220;no&#8217;s&#8221; and\/or transform &#8220;no&#8217;s&#8221; into &#8220;yesses&#8221; by exploring \/ presenting other possibilities<\/li>\n<li>Hone your active listening, observation, and information seeking skills over time<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"su-spoiler su-spoiler-style-default su-spoiler-icon-plus su-spoiler-closed\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\" data-anchor-in-url=\"no\"><div class=\"su-spoiler-title\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><span class=\"su-spoiler-icon\"><\/span>Attend Networking Events<\/div><div class=\"su-spoiler-content su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\">\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/get-a-job\/strategies\/job-career-fair-tips\/\">Job &amp; Career Fair tips<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/get-a-job\/workshops\/\">911±¬ÁÏÍø\u00a0<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/get-a-job\/workshops\/\">Workshop &amp; Events page<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebalancecareers.com\/types-of-career-networking-events-2059736\">Types of Career Networking Events to Attend<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.themuse.com\/advice\/how-to-network-at-social-event\">Networking Tips for Social Events<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"su-spoiler su-spoiler-style-default su-spoiler-icon-plus su-spoiler-closed\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\" data-anchor-in-url=\"no\"><div class=\"su-spoiler-title\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><span class=\"su-spoiler-icon\"><\/span>Professional Associations<\/div><div class=\"su-spoiler-content su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\">\n<p>Joining one or more professional associations is a <em>fantastic<\/em> way to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Learn more about an occupation, industry, or field<\/li>\n<li>Build a relevant network of professional\u00a0contacts<\/li>\n<li>Learn about employment opportunities &#8211; perhaps before others do<\/li>\n<li>Stay current in your field<\/li>\n<li>Learn the lingo used in a given industry, which fosters a sense of belonging and connection<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>To find regional, state, and federal professional associations: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Ask people you know, in the occupations or industries you are interested in, about what professional associations they would recommend.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Category:Professional_associations_based_in_the_United_States\">Wikipedia<\/a> list of Professional Associations<\/li>\n<li><a class=\"waffle-rich-text-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.onetonline.org\/search\/associations\/\">Onet Online<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"su-spoiler su-spoiler-style-default su-spoiler-icon-plus su-spoiler-closed\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\" data-anchor-in-url=\"no\"><div class=\"su-spoiler-title\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><span class=\"su-spoiler-icon\"><\/span>More Networking Strategies<\/div><div class=\"su-spoiler-content su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\">\n<ul>\n<li>Make a copy and fill in your <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/spreadsheets\/d\/1i5PtgoF9TAbqpK9lqnt3MUZYmpWM6_UJrGhNS2Ueaqo\/edit?usp=sharing\">Professional Contacts Spreadsheet Template<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Take the <a href=\"https:\/\/greatergood.berkeley.edu\/quizzes\/take_quiz\/social_capital\">FREE Social Capital Quiz<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Learn about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/get-a-job\/strategies\/social-media-eportfolios\/\">Social Media &amp; ePortfolios<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Conduct <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/get-a-job\/strategies\/networking\/informational-interviewing\/\">Informational Interviews<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Learn <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=qGPbQLX8G5w\">Networking Tips for Students and Grads with Disabilities<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Most people get jobs as a result of networking versus responding directly to job ads. For some, networking comes naturally.\u00a0 For most people, networking is a skill that is learned and practiced, over time. To learn about networking opportunities, please visit our Workshop and Events web page. Use the resources below\u00a0to enhance your networking skills [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3709,"featured_media":0,"parent":1765,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_mc_calendar":[],"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-1769","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Networking - Career Readiness<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/get-a-job\/strategies\/networking\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Networking - Career Readiness\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Most people get jobs as a result of networking versus responding directly to job ads. For some, networking comes naturally.\u00a0 For most people, networking is a skill that is learned and practiced, over time. To learn about networking opportunities, please visit our Workshop and Events web page. Use the resources below\u00a0to enhance your networking skills [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/get-a-job\/strategies\/networking\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Career Readiness\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-02-26T11:53:13+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/files\/2020\/04\/Networking-Graphic-2020-04-29-144010.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"864\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"864\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/get-a-job\/strategies\/networking\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/get-a-job\/strategies\/networking\/\",\"name\":\"Networking - Career Readiness\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2020-04-27T17:27:38+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-02-26T11:53:13+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/get-a-job\/strategies\/networking\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/get-a-job\/strategies\/networking\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/get-a-job\/strategies\/networking\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Get-A-Job\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/get-a-job\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Get-A-Job Strategies\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/get-a-job\/strategies\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":4,\"name\":\"Networking\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/\",\"name\":\"Career Readiness\",\"description\":\"and Internships!\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Networking - Career Readiness","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/get-a-job\/strategies\/networking\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Networking - Career Readiness","og_description":"Most people get jobs as a result of networking versus responding directly to job ads. For some, networking comes naturally.\u00a0 For most people, networking is a skill that is learned and practiced, over time. To learn about networking opportunities, please visit our Workshop and Events web page. Use the resources below\u00a0to enhance your networking skills [&hellip;]","og_url":"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/get-a-job\/strategies\/networking\/","og_site_name":"Career Readiness","article_modified_time":"2026-02-26T11:53:13+00:00","og_image":[{"width":864,"height":864,"url":"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/files\/2020\/04\/Networking-Graphic-2020-04-29-144010.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"3 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/get-a-job\/strategies\/networking\/","url":"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/get-a-job\/strategies\/networking\/","name":"Networking - Career Readiness","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/#website"},"datePublished":"2020-04-27T17:27:38+00:00","dateModified":"2026-02-26T11:53:13+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/get-a-job\/strategies\/networking\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/get-a-job\/strategies\/networking\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/get-a-job\/strategies\/networking\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Get-A-Job","item":"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/get-a-job\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Get-A-Job Strategies","item":"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/get-a-job\/strategies\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Networking"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/","name":"Career Readiness","description":"and Internships!","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1769","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3709"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1769"}],"version-history":[{"count":78,"href":"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1769\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6582,"href":"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1769\/revisions\/6582"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1765"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1769"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}