Virtual Career Center

Job Search Strategy: Networking Examples

Sample Networking Sound Bites

Generally a sound bite is 30-40 seconds long and includes three or four sentences that indicate who you are; the strengths, skills and characteristics you have to offer; and the areas in which you need more information. While it is acceptable to mention your own career targets, avoid asking for a job or about a specific job opening.

The Alumni Career Center has included examples of sound bites to give you an idea of their structure. It is important to add in your own details and make the sound bite your own. Take a look at all four examples for those pieces that are most applicable to your situation.

Example A - Leaving a message
Hello, I am Jane Job-Seeker and just graduated from UIC with a Marketing degree. I'm looking for an entry-level position where I can use my strategy and market research skills, and the skills that I learned in my e-commerce class. While I was at UIC I worked at (retail: Starbucks, Borders, Home Depot?), so I have experience dealing with customers in a fast-paced environment. I want to bring that all together to help a company be the best in sales and customer service. I like making people happy. I found your name through the University of Illinois Alumni Association's Online Directory and would appreciate the opportunity to talk to you about you career and your experience at UIC. Would 15-20 minutes next Tuesday or Thursday morning be convenient for you? Please call me at 630-111-2222 to let me know the specific time or other times that may be more convenient. You can also reach me by e-mail, jane@uicalumni.org. Thank you. I look forward to meeting with you.

Example B - Meeting someone at an event
My name is Luke Looking and I am looking for a position in healthcare administration. My long-range goal is to be the CEO of a major hospital. I've motivated my people and retained employees for a long time in retail sales and call centers, where turnover is usually high. I've learned that healthcare executives are going to need to pay more attention than ever to using people effectively, and to saving money through prudent staffing. That's where my strength is, as well as in organizational skills. I'm looking for an industry where I can make an important contribution to people's lives, and I see healthcare as the place for me. (Later in the conversation:) I would be interested in talking with you more about your experiences in healthcare administration. May I call you next week to talk more about this topic? May I have your business card?

Example C - Asking for the Informational Interview
Hi, I am Thomas Technick and am a recent Computer Science graduate from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. My best skills are in programming, Java, SQL and C++, and I've applied those skills in class projects. I'm looking for an opportunity to do programming and some network support. I think a small company would give me the chance to do a lot of different IT tasks, and that's what I'd like: to really apply what I learned in school. What has been your experience with Small Co USA? (Later in the conversation:) Your insight into working at a small company has been interesting and supports other information I've heard. Who else would you recommend I talk to?

Example D - The sell; the ask
Hello, my name is Edward Experienced and I have eight years' experience in consulting; I've worked for a diverse set of clients, but my industry focus has been in manufacturing. I have a solid foundation of analytical and organizational skills and now want to apply those strengths to help one company reach current goals and set new ones. I'd like to be with one company so that I can design strategies, implement them, see the results and make adjustments along the way. I've motivated a lot of people to do better work for my clients; now I'd like to mentor others, develop an ongoing team of my own, to streamline productivity and grow the bottom line. Are you aware of any organizations that may need someone with my skills?

How else can the Alumni Career Center help you develop a networking strategy and identify potential networking contacts?

• Career Advising - Build a personalized networking strategy; get feedback on your sound bite and process the information you've collected. Career advising is a feature of the Alumni Career Center's Comprehensive Service Package, available for an annual fee of $160 to Alumni Association members. An option to meet one time for one hour with a career adviser for a $40 fee is also available to Alumni Association members.
  
  
• Professional Development Workshops - Network with fellow alumni and participate in career management seminars and events. Fees for individual workshops are $25; attendance at up to three workshops is included in the Self-Directed Service Package , and all workshops are offered at no additional charge as a feature of the Alumni Career Center's Comprehensive Service Package. See the calendar at www.uiaa.org/calendar for details.
  
  

Can't find the resources you are looking for? Have questions about the Alumni Career Center services? University of Illinois alumni can ask our career experts for help with job searching and career questions.