Networking — trying to connect with people you don’t know — typically holds little appeal. Yet, the concept actually makes sense and deserves more credit than it enjoys.

“The way I like to define networking is building relationships,” explained Melanie Sinche, Senior Research Associate in Harvard Law School’s Labor and Worklife Program. “We build relationships every day, in everything we do, particularly in research.”

You can be up front, be transparent. You can say you’re finishing up and you’re on the job market – that’s OK. But, don’t ask for a job and put pressure on someone.

Hosted by RI NSF Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), Sinche shared key networking skills with Rhode Island science, technology, engineering, and mathematics faculty, staff and graduate students during a recent workshop held at the University of Rhode Island.

Here are a few key points to remember:

Develop an elevator speech

Think about riding in an elevator and having that brief period of time to explain to someone who you are and what you are about: I am a (graduate student) at (the University of Rhode Island) focusing on (genomics research). I will finish in (May 2015) and I am looking for (a research position) in (a start-up company).

Expand your network

Think of a diagram with you in the center. Directly around you are the people you know, who fall into these categories — family, friends and professionals.

Then, work outward to include: professors, advisors, committee members and post-docs; labmates and department cohorts; and department faculty and administrators.

People you may not know, but provide networking opportunities include: conference speakers, journal editors, grant administrators, collaborators, and bloggers.

Places to network include: alumni and career gatherings, employer events, student or professional association meetings, and LinkedIn.

How to approach people

Whether communicating in person or via email, introduce yourself and briefly note how you came across this individual. Explain you are interested in his or her work and request information. Set up a mock informational interview, and:

• Ask about career planning — how did you decide on your focus, how did you get into the field, what specific skills and personal qualities are necessary to your job?
• Ask about the job search — how do people get into your field, is any method more effective than another, what kind of information should students or trainees highlight on resumes or CVs and during job interviews?
• Ask about the career field — what is your day like and what are you responsible for, what is the common career path, what does it take to be good at your job, what do you like or dislike about your job, what types of problems or pressing issues occur, what type of training is needed, what is the beginning salary?

Do not ask for a job

“You can be up front, be transparent,” advised Sinche. “You can say you’re finishing up and you’re on the job market – that’s OK. But, don’t ask for a job and put pressure on someone.”

If you ask for a job and the answer is no, Sinche says, it is very hard to regain your footing in the conversation.

Instead, seek advice — ask what they are looking for and what kind of relevant experience is necessary to land a job.

Finding a job

Sinche says there are 12,000 occupations in the United States. And, for every occupation, there is a professional association.

And, the people who belong to the professional association — whether plant biologist, plumber or pipefitter — are open to meeting those interested in their profession.

Bottom line? Wherever you are, on a plane, in a meeting or, yes, riding in an elevator, if you meet someone whose career interests you, introduce yourself and explain what you are seeking.

By Amy Dunkle