Networking is an integral part of the career development process. Effective use of this strategy allows job seekers to enhance their ability to learn about jobs, apply effectively, and ultimately attain employment. 

For international students, networking can sometimes feel more challenging due to potential cultural differences. Read further to learn some tips about how to approach networking that can reduce some of these feelings of difficulty, and gain access to this potent career development tool. 

Networking is normal and expected in the U.S. context! 

In some cultures, networking is not as common as it is in the United States. This understandably can lead to international students feeling uncertain about how to approach networking. 

The most important thing to remember is that professional networking is completely normal and even expected. Americans have been raised in a culture that rewards people who go out of their way to expand their network, and many have benefitted from this practice. 

Many people are actually excited to engage with new connections and give back to others what they have gained from their own networking efforts. 

On top of that, cold emailing is considered appropriate as well. “Cold emailing,” if you aren’t aware, refers to reaching out to someone online that you do not already know in real life. 

While it can feel uncomfortable to reach out to someone you don’t know, rest assured that the recipient of your message has likely benefited from cold outreach themselves. 

Not only is it expected that you incorporate cold emails into your career exploration, but it can also be viewed as positive. It shows that you have a drive for the field and that you know how to take initiative in achieving your goals, both of which are desirable traits in a potential employee. 

Self-promotion is not bragging 

Many people, even Americans, find it uncomfortable to talk about themselves and “brag.” It is important to remember that in the United States, however, it is completely normal to speak about your own accomplishments. It is even normalized in grade school, as many children learn through “show and tell.” 

It is therefore vitally important to get comfortable doing “show and tell” in a professional setting. The most straightforward way to do this would be through an elevator pitch, a short (30–90 second) introduction where you describe who you are, what you do, and what you’re looking for. 

In this elevator pitch, you can highlight your strengths, recent experiences, and professional goals. One way to make this feel more natural is to frame your accomplishments with phrases like, “I’ve been feeling excited about…” or “Something I’ve been proud of is…” 

Doing this allows you to signal a few things to the listener. First, it tells them what types of opportunities you’re interested in. Second, it helps them understand what you bring to the table. Once your conversation partner has this information, they can determine if they have a relevant opportunity or contact for you. None of this is possible unless you feel comfortable advocating for yourself, so get practice sharing! 

Small talk is expected 

Small talk, despite the name, plays a big role in networking. While the content might not be directly related to your professional goals, it sets the tone for the conversation. 

By engaging in small talk effectively, you show that you’re friendly and personable, qualities that make others more inclined to help you. In practice, this means following common small talk conventions. Have a few go-to topics you can rely on: the weather, local events, or weekend plans are all safe options. 

Remember that small talk is simply a warm-up for the main conversation. Focus on being friendly, asking questions, and finding something you both can comment on (the place you’re meeting, a shared experience, etc.). 

Relationship building is networking 

If networking feels uncomfortable, remember it’s less about asking for help and more about building connections. People naturally want to refer those they know and trust. 

Instead of approaching a conversation with the goal of asking for a job, focus on getting to know the person and learning from their experiences. Strong professional relationships can lead to future opportunities, even if there isn’t an immediate benefit. 

Ironically, by not asking directly for a job, you may actually make your contact more inclined to help you. People are more likely to refer someone they feel genuinely connected to, rather than someone who approached them for a favor. So lean into relationship building and let opportunities emerge naturally from those connections. 

Conclusion 

Networking doesn’t have to feel intimidating or unnatural. At its best, it’s simply about meeting people, learning from them, and sharing a bit about yourself along the way. By approaching it with curiosity, openness, and a willingness to connect, you can turn what once felt like an obligation into an authentic and rewarding part of your career journey. 

If you want to talk through networking further, schedule an appointment with CAPD. 

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Here are three activities that you can do to help you initiate, build, and deepen your existing network:

1. Initiate by Mad-Lib-ing an introduction

Developing an elevator pitch is a great way to get into a networking mindset. In addition to reflecting on what you have accomplished so far, an elevator pitch is also a great way to start to determine what you want out of your connection. Use this Mad-Lib 60-second Introduction to help you not only think about meaningful parts of your background you would like to share, but also encourage you to think about what you would like to learn more about. Even if you are uncertain, share that! It is perfectly alright to share that you might just want to learn a little more about them.

2. Build a Company-Connection Finder

Based on Steve Dalton’s 2-hour Job Search, you can use a list of organizations and employers you are interested in to help you strategize how you might want to grow your network.

1. Start by listing off companies and organization you might be interested in learning more about. These can be your “dream employers”, companies that you may already have a networking connection with, groups that are actively hiring or just growing rapidly.
2. Identify potential connections you might have through the organization. You might need to use resources like LinkedIn or Alumni Advisors Hub to determine how you might have connections.
3. Determine your level of motivation. If you are more interested, try to prioritize those more.
4. Find positions that might be of interest to you. Take time to review the types of open positions, the qualifications needed, and how interested in them you might be.

Here is an example list you can use or modify for your specific needs:

Your list will help you think about areas you may want to focus on regarding growing your specific network to aid your career.  As you start to act on this list, remember to use your informational interviewing and networking skills to help you navigate the process.

3. Deepen your connections to have a Personal Board of Directors

Conceived by Kate Hutson, a personal board of directors is a group of individuals that you have assembled as part of your network to help you develop and navigate your career. These individuals can be peers, friends, family members, colleagues, or leaders that you can reach out to for advice, guidance, and feedback.

As part of your network, find people who…

• will celebrate you
• validate your feelings
• remind you of your good qualities
• have a strong career identity
• will be an advocate for you
• foster psychological safety
• will give you honest feedback
• hold you accountable
• will mentor you
• share knowledge
• are good at finishing tasks
• challenge you to go bigger
• have more experience than you
• are a great connector
• have organizational power
• will help you develop your skills
• make you feel heard
• are a sounding board for you
• navigate workplace politics well
• are a great coach
• will encourage you with challenges
• are a leader you admire
• know the unwritten rules of a company
• has good…

You can use the above bingo card to give you a fun way to assemble this very important group of people for your future career! Feel free to add/edit any part of the list that makes the most sense for you. The goal with a personal board of directors is to have a diverse group of people who will add to your viewpoint and perspective—so avoid having everyone from the same industry or organization.

Feeling as though you still have some big gaps in your network? Consider expanding your network through informational interviewing and utilizing tools available to the MIT community like Alumni Advisors Hub. Meet with a career advisor in CAPD to help you strategize what you may need to do to leverage and grow your network.

Who: All university students, and recent grads of any gender from any university.

When: September 23rd, 2023

Where: The Joyce Cummings Center at Tufts University in Medford, MA

177 College Ave, Medford, MA 02155

Cost: Free!

For further information and regular updates please visit our website, follow our Instagram, or contact us regarding future details and registration.

Website: https://www.tuftswit2023.com/

Instagram: @wicstufts

Email: tuftswit2023@gmail.com

Identify Your Network

Make a list of people you know. This will help you realize that you already have a strong foundation for your network.

• School
• Work/Internships
• Family/Friends
• Activities/Hobbies
• Other

As you develop your network, reach out to CAPD for guidance. We are happy to talk you through your approach and offer additional support and tools that may help you achieve your networking goals.

Here are some ways that your network can help you:

Career exploration

If you are uncertain about what major to choose, what internships are out there, what you might want to do when you finish your program—your network might be a good place to start. If you are just starting off in your program, connecting with students or researchers further along in their program and alumni might help you explore different majors, areas of research, or post-graduate opportunities. Graduate students and postdoctoral scholars might give you with insight into different aspects of graduate school and academia. Alumni may provide you with insight into future options after graduation.

To explore careers, ask questions like these:

• How did you choose this area of research or work?
• What is a typical work day like for someone like you?
• What aspects of your work do you enjoy? What aspects do you find challenging?

Career planning

How did that student manage to juggle their classes, clubs, and an internship? Why don’t you ask them? The individuals and alumni above you may recall what it was like when they were in your place–and their insights might help you plan. If you feel uncertain where to take your next step, talking with your network may highlight one. They might help you identify a new resource that helped them through a challenging experience, or even share their own course roads with you. Graduate students, postdocs, and alumni might help you think about what steps you need to take for certain careers and graduate programs. You do not have to follow their advice fully, but use it as a way to identify potential obstacles and issues you may face as you move forward.

To help you plan your career, ask questions like these:

• How do you recommend someone prepare for this type of work?
• What should I start to work on now if I would like to be considered for a role like yours in the future?
• What challenges do you see facing this occupation/organization/industry in the next 5-10 years?

Career research

Your network can offer glimpses into possible future versions of you. Chatting with a student who recently completed their internship might help you decide if that same internship is right for you next summer. Asking an alum about the culture of their organization may just help you determine if that type of work aligns with your own values. Think of it as asking for a recommendation for a restaurant or a show to stream. Their personal tastes and preferences may not match yours, but you might be able to identify aspects that are important to you.

To help you research different careers, ask questions like these:

• What are ways that a new employee can make an impact in your organization?
• What are the ways your contributions have been celebrated or recognized by your leaders?
• I am really interested in sustainability; how is your organization developing greener policies and practices?

Mentorship

Overtime, a network contact may become a mentor to you. This could happen simply as a result of your continued outreach to one of your contacts for advice. Mentorship can be both formal or informal, short-term or long-term, but can provide long-range support as you develop your career.

No matter what members of your network do or do not do, your ultimate journey is up to you. Leverage the insights provided by your network to make better, well-informed decisions, but remember to reflect on what want to do. As you need additional help navigating all of the information you get from your network, know that CAPD is available to discuss your needs with you. Schedule an appointment with us.

A way to think about an informational interview is simply by asking for AIR. This is a way to remind yourself of some of the most important insights you might get from your network: Advice, Information, and Referrals.

Advice

Advice is about finding information that is personally helpful to you. It’s a way to get your network to help you strategize what are possible things you should do (or not do). 

• How should I reach out to faculty to inquire about a research position?
• How can I stand out as an applicant?
• How did you find out about this opportunity?

Information

Where advice is about you, information can provide additional insights that you might be able to leverage in exploration, planning, and decision making.

• What is a typical workday like for an intern in your company?
• What is the application deadline for this research opportunity?
• What percentage of interns receive return offers?

Referrals

Finally, referrals allow you to navigate further beyond this conversation. Think of referrals as a way to seek out new resources and connections to help you move in new directions.

• What other companies should I explore that do this type of work?
• Is there someone you know that I might also benefit from talking to?
• What resources should I consider using to learn more about this?

Additional Questions

Here are more informational interview questions you might want to ask.

Informational interviews provide you, the interviewer, with many helpful details. When conducting an informational interview, be sure to take notes and take time afterwards to reflect on the information you have learned. At the conclusion, remember to say thank you and follow-up with a thank you email to the person you interviewed with.

Ongoing

Keep a document with a record of the people with whom you have interviewed, the dates of the meeting, what was discussed, and names of additional contacts. The people you meet are potential members of your professional network.

Working on your resume or other career documents?

Learn about resumes, CVs, portfolios, and other career writing.