We've all heard the catch phrase, "It's not what you know but who you know." Networking is about developing a broad list of contacts and using them to your advantage when you look for a job. People can help you with job leads, career advice, as well as introduce you to their network. So, as you are applying to Grad school and receiving acceptance letters add this to your list of things to consider when accepting. Think about what kind of network the school you choose can provide you.

Networking in general can be done in many ways. With the advantages of having information at our fingertips there are many internet networking tools. In a survey conducted by Katherine Hansen in her book; A Foot in the Door, professional organizations were cited as the top venue for networking. A huge tool for professionals to use is Linked In. LinkedIn.com is a private firm operating an Internet web portal to cultivate the development of social networking for career enhancement in the business community. In 2007, it had 3.2 million users per month with a high growth rate. Another networking tool is the MBA Association. This is an online community for MBA students & professionals www.mbaassociation.org. Another great way to network is through friends, past jobs/bosses/co-workers, and family members. By telling everyone you know you are in the job market and what your professional goals are you are essentially a walking billboard for yourself. In the same survey, volunteer work was cited as the number two way to make network contacts (Hansen).  Some ways to get involved in volunteering are through: www.volunteermatch.org and www.idealist.org. If you search for clubs & professional organizations in your city or state you will no doubt come across organizations such as the American Marketing Association, which is nationwide, or the American Medical Association, or the National Bar Association.
Another great way to create networks is through your fellow classmates. Using the most of your education when most people say grad school is mainly about the connections you develop & the relationships you build with classmates & professors. Experts say only 5-25% of jobs are advertised, the hidden job market is what's left (Hansen). Hear what this MBA graduate has to say about her graduate school and its networking capabilities.

Interviewer: Brianna Russell
Interviewee: Elena Carlson

Question: What Undergraduate School & Graduate School did you attend? From when to when? And what were your majors?
Answer: I went to the University of San Francisco (1994-1997) - International Business (Major)/ French (Minor). I actually attended Santa Clara University prior (1992-1993) but ended up transferring. For graduate school, Indiana University, Kelley School of Business (2003-2005) - MBA, 2006-2007- MSF (Masters in Finance).

Question: What was the most important thing you took away from undergrad school & grad school?
Answer: Most important thing I took away from both: Networking, networking, networking!

Question: Do you think Networking has played a key role in your career decision?
Answer: Yes and No. I don't think it played so much of a role in what I decided to do as it did in the jobs I actually got.

Question: What is your current career?
Answer: I do project work (consulting) in accounting and finance.

Question: What is the best way to increase your network contacts?
Answer: Get out and get involved. Volunteer, join alumni or personal interest groups, play a sport, etc.  Join a networking group. Also, consider contacting your alma mater and getting a list of local alumni and contacting them for "information interviews" or networking lunches. More often than not, these people will be happy to network with you and put you in contact with other contacts in your specific industry/professional field.

Question: Do you use any internet networking tools such as the MBA Association (mbaassociation.org) or Linked In or Facebook or any others?
Answer: I use Linked In and Facebook. For my age group, I have found Linked In to be a better career/networking resource. Facebook tends to be more social in nature. Side note: A friend of mine from business school was part of my Linked In network and noticed another one of my friends worked at Accenture in Chicago. Long story short, I introduced the two of them and he ended up getting a job at Accenture. So Linked In really does work!

Question: What is the best advice you can give Grad students?
Answer: Start networking in school. Don't spend the entire time with your head in the books. The social part is just as important if not more so. Your classmates are your future professional network (and your competition).  If you've already graduated and are having a hard time networking, contact your career resources center and let them put you in touch with some alumni to get you going in your networking efforts. Part of what you pay for in grad school is the alumni network, so don't be afraid to use it!

Survey Source: A Foot in the Door by Katherine Hansen, Ph D.