Alumni

Networking

Networking is a way to develop relationships that help you gain insight into an industry, a company, or a career path. Given that 65 to 85 percent of jobs are found through networking, it should be the focus of about 80 percent of your allotted search time.

Below is a step-by-step guide to successful networking.

• Access the HBS Network

  The HBS Alumni Directory contains information on more than 70,000 HBS community members. Use your Lifelong E-mail Forwarding Address (LEFA) to access the Alumni Directory and locate fellow alumni by name, class, location, company, and position, to name only a few of the many search categories.

  Join the HBS Alumni group on LinkedIn, an extension of the HBS alumni network. LinkedIn enables you to present yourself and your professional capabilities, find and re-connect with colleagues and classmates, build a powerful network of trusted professionals, tap into inside connections and information, and much more.

  There are over 80 alumni clubs and associations around the globe providing opportunities for learning, networking, and socializing. Meetings usually focus on topics of professional interest, with speakers drawn from industry, government, education, the arts, and other backgrounds.

• Target Contacts and Companies

  Create a list of contacts beginning with "warm" colleagues you know well. Next, list "cooler" contacts made through industry associations, magazines articles, trade journals, professional directories, and Web-based resources.

  Also develop a list of companies you are interested in learning more about. Use this list during your meetings to help contacts refer you.

• Develop Your Positioning Statement

  Sharpen your focus by creating an "elevator speech" that describes your background and objectives in two minutes or less. Your speech should have four parts:

  1. Introduction—Who you are.
     "I have over __ years of experience in __."
  2. Three skills—Your experience (you can include HBS degree)
     "For the past 3 years I have been __."
  3. What you are looking for—This will become more focused as your search progresses
     "I am looking for __ position in __ industry."
  4. Question—How the contact can help you
     "Are you aware of any __?" or "I'd welcome your thoughts on what is happening in __ industry."
• Make Contact

  Outreach can be conducted via e-mail or phone. Be direct so your contact knows the purpose of your outreach. Let him/her know you will be in touch to set up a time to speak and be sure to follow up as indicated. Be persistent—reaching 30 percent of your contacts is a good result. When you confirm your meeting, send your resume as a reference.

• Meet

  Conduct your outreach in person or via phone, whichever is most convenient for the contact. Use the time to obtain more subjective, qualitative information rather than factual information that you could find on the company's Web site. Research the company and industry so you can speak about recent news and developments. Remember that effective networking offers value for you and for your colleagues. Be prepared to give advice and referrals as well as receive them.

  Start your meeting with more general, open-ended questions; ask about additional contacts or job prospects at the end of the conversation. If you have spoken to other people at the company, weave in points you took away from those conversations. Listen as much as you talk. Above all, be gracious, appreciative, and sensitive to your contact's time.

• Follow-up

  Send a thank you note as soon as possible after the meeting and maintain contact on regular basis. Remember to track all your interactions throughout the networking process to build your contact and target company lists.

Samples

• Outreach E-mail: "Successes and Obstacles"

  Joe Smith suggested I get in touch with you. I have been watching your company and am excited about the direction that ABC Co. is taking in the market. I am particularly impressed with the results in terms of [metric] that _____ has generated.

  I hope to learn more about your successes and what you see as remaining obstacles to your continued growth. I know you are extremely busy at this time of year, but I hope that you might grant me a few minutes to discuss your work. I'll follow up with you next Tuesday to see if we can set a convenient time. Feel free to contact me at 617.555.1212 or e-mail me at _____.

  Thank you in advance for your consideration and I look forward to speaking with you.

• Outreach E-mail: "In the News"

  Joe Smith suggested I get in touch with you. I have been watching your company and am excited about the direction that ABC Co. is taking in the market. I am particularly impressed with the results in terms of [metric] that _____ has generated. After having worked for 10 years in a related field facing a similar challenge, I am very impressed with what you have accomplished in your firm.

  I read your comments BusinessWeek and I was struck by your insight into _____. I would like to discuss this further. I know you are extremely busy at this time of year, but I hope that you might grant me a few minutes to discuss your work. I'll follow up with you next Tuesday to see if we can set a convenient time. Feel free to contact me at 617.555.1212 or e-mail me at _____.

  Thank you in advance for your consideration and I look forward to speaking with you.

• Meeting Questions
  • How did you decide to work in this field? For this company?
  • What is your background? How did you position yourself for this field?
  • What do you see as the strategic goals for the company? For your department?
  • What kinds of challenges do you face in this industry? What keeps your CEO up at night?
  • What have you learned through your position? What skills do you typically use?
  • What skills are most important to be successful in your organization?
  • Do you have any advice for me as I go through the job-search process?
  • What are the most difficult problems/decisions/challenges you face?
  • Is there anything that has surprised you about this field/company, either positive or negative?
  • When people leave this organization, what types of positions do they pursue?
  • If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?
  • Is your firm currently hiring in the XYZ division?
    • [If yes] I would be very interested in applying. Is there a contact that I should follow up with directly, or if I sent you my resume, would you be able to forward it on?
    • [If no] Are there other divisions that might have roles that could be a fit with my background and interests? I would appreciate you keeping me in mind if positions surface at your firm in the future or if you hear of other opportunities in this industry that might be a fit.
  • Are there books/trade journals you would recommend that I read to best prepare for a career in this industry?
  • Are there any professional associations or conferences that are especially relevant for this industry?
  • If you were in my position, embarking on a career in this industry, what companies would you suggest I target?
  • Can you recommend other people I might talk to in this industry?

Resources for Alumnae in Transition

The following resources provide support for alumnae considering next steps in their careers.

• HBS Women's Associations
  • HBS Women's Association of Boston
  • HBS Women's Association of Greater New York
  • HBS Women's Association of Washington, DC (login required)
• Education Programs

  A New Path: Setting New Professional Directions
  (February 24 - March 1, 2008; HBS Campus)
  A program specifically designed for HBS alumnae who are ready to create new and successful careers, after having reduced their career commitments to raise families or pursue personal interests. The program focuses on refreshing and updating critical business fundamentals and skills, while providing the opportunity for participants to work with coaches and teams to explore new career directions. Examine your talents and skills to find a new career path that will bring both professional and personal fulfillment.

  Woman's Leadership Forum: Innovation Strategies for a Changing World
  (April 27 - May 2, 2008, 2008; HBS Campus)
  With the accelerating rate of change occurring in today's business environment, it is vitally important that women in leadership roles understand innovation and how to effectively manage it for competitive advantage. The Women's Leadership Forum is devoted to empowering women executives to think innovatively, act successfully, and lead in ways that are both personally satisfying and professionally rewarding.

  Charting Your Course: Developing Options that Work
  (May 28 and May 29, 2008; HBS Campus)
  A two-day program designed exclusively for HBS graduates who are temporarily out of the full-time professional workforce and have an interest in keeping connected to the business world and to other professionals like themselves. Join fellow alumnae in an intimate and interactive forum, aimed at addressing the many challenges these individuals face.

• Related Organizations (for Alumnae)

  2Hats Network
  Co-founded by HBS alumnae Feyi Boroffice (MBA '03) and Simi Nwogugu (MBA '04), the 2Hats Network connects intelligent women with intelligent companies. 2Hats provides challenging and stimulating opportunities for professional women who have stepped out of the workforce to stay connected to the business world, as well as facilitate their successful return to the workforce.

  Broad2Broad
  Connecting over 10,000 MBA alumnae and students from some of the leading business schools in the country.

  CareerWomen
  An e-recruiting network, The Career Exposure Network™ is dedicated to helping job candidates find career opportunities with the best companies especially focused on sought-after, targeted women and MBA candidates.

  Flexibility Alliance
  Flexibility Alliance is an organization which aims to encourage the full participation of highly skilled mothers in the workforce, and increase social and economic prosperity through programs that increase the number of flexible work situations for mothers and connect highly skilled mothers with flexible work.

  Forté Foundation
  Forté Foundation is a consortium of leading companies and top business schools working to substantially increase the number of women business leaders. Free member services include an extensive database of female MBAs across industries and geographic locations.

  Higher Aims
  Higher Aims works with employers seeking to attract high-caliber talent who are currently off the accelerated career track, but have valuable skills and experiences. Higher Aims specializes in services for its members who seek project or part-time work and have top-notch proven business skills and experience.

  Hypatia Capital
  Hypatia Capital is a private equity firm targeting the consumer products, specialty retail, and services sector whose deal sourcing strategy includes focusing on the most senior Fortune 1000 female operating executives to surface leveraged buyout opportunities and identify leadership teams for portfolio companies. Founded by HBS alumna Patricia Lizarraga (MBA '93), one of the firm's human talent strategies is hiring women with investment banking and private equity experience on a flexible and/or project basis.

  iRelaunch
  Co-founded by Carol Fishman Cohen (MBA '85) and Vivian Steir Rabin (MBA '86), co-authors of the acclaimed career re-entry book Back on the Career Track: A Guide to Stay-at-Home Moms Who Want to Return to Work. iRelaunch produces career reentry programming, events and content for individuals, organizations, universities and employers.

  Jobs for Moms
  Tips, resources and a job bank for mothers who want to work from home.

  Mom Corps
  Founded by HBS alumna Allison Karl O'Kelly (MBA'99), Mom Corps is a resource for high talent professionals who require flexibility and nontraditional career options through contract or part-time opportunities.

  Mommy Track'd
  A resource for stay-at-work moms managing the daily tug-of-war between work and family. HBS alumna Dawn Dobras (MBA '95) is the COO.

  On-Ramps
  On-Ramps is a recruiting and consulting firm specializing in workplace innovation, place candidates in full-time, part-time and project-based assignments.

  Women@Work
  Women@Work is a rapidly expanding network of current and returning professional women who are seeking work-life balance and flexibility. The network connects and serves two constituencies: women who are interested in both part-time and full-time work and the employers who need their skills and expertise.

  YourOnRamp
  Co-founded by HBS alumna Millie Froeb (MBA '00), YourOnRamp is a community of professional women who balance their work and life with flexibility and creativity. Whether you're onramping, offramping, or just managing the day-to-day at home or at work, YourOnRamp provides the networks, resources, and job opportunities to succeed.

Other Resources

• Books (available in the Baker Library/Bloomberg Center)
  • Anne Baber and Lynne Waymon. Make Your Contacts Count: Networking Know-How for Cash, Clients, and Career Success. AMACOM, 2002.
  • Diane Darling. Networking for Career Success: 24 Lessons for Getting to Know the Right People. McGraw-Hill, 2005.
  • Ehin, Charles. Hidden Assets: Harnessing the Power of Informal Networks. Kluwer Academic, 2004.
  • Harvard Business School Press, Managing Yourself for the Career You Want. HBS Press, 2004.
  • Pamela Walker Laird. Pull: Networking and Success Since Benjamin Franklin. Harvard University Press, 2006.
  • Jeffrey W. Meshel with Douglas Garr. One Phone Call Away: Secrets of a Master Networker. Portfolio, 2005.
  • Andrea R. Nierenberg. Nonstop Networking: How to Improve Your Life, Luck and Career. Capital Books, 2002.
• Articles
  • Lisa Belkin. "A Kaffeeklatsch With a Goal." New York Times Jobs Section, August 27, 2006.
  • Barbara Ehrenreich. "Down, But Not Out." Forbes, May 7 , 2007.
  • Tory Johnson and Robyn Freedman Spizman. "Successful Networking." Women in Business, January/February 2007: Vol. 59, Iss. 1.
  • Jared Sandberg. "Network With You? I Don't Even Know You, and Other Affronts." Wall Street Journal, July 13, 2005.