Networking

Telling Your Story (aka the Elevator Pitch)

Networking events are often your first opportunity to share your story. The elevator pitch is a 30 – 90 second introduction about who you are and what you’re passionate about professionally. Reflect on your knowledge, skills, and experiences to craft a compelling pitch.

Four Parts to Your Story

Following these four steps, you can effectively communicate your story and present yourself as a qualified candidate. Remember, you can work with your Career Coach to develop and practice your elevator pitch.

Introduce yourself	Share your name, background, interests, experiences, major, and relevant skills/qualifications. Focus on what is memorable about you and keep it concise.
Communicate your goals	Explain why you are interested in a particular industry, trend, or employer, and tailor your message to your audience. Be intentional in your approach
Tailor to your audience	Have a foundational knowledge of the professional with whom you interact, including their company. Connect your goals or values with the organization.
Outline your plan	Share your short and long-term strategies for achieving your goals. Discuss what led you to this moment and inquire about specific internships or job opportunities.

Sample Elevator Pitch

“Hello, my name is Maxwell Toppham from Morgan, Utah. I grew up loving numbers and creating ways to make money independently. I went on a college exploration trip to USU and knew I wanted to pursue a career in Finance and Entrepreneurship.

Since coming to the Huntsman School, I’ve been involved with the Investment Club, the Entrepreneurship Center, and the Covey Leadership Center. After competing in the CFA competition last year, I realized I have a knack for quantitative analysis and the ability to communicate complex problems. Later, I spoke with a recruiter from Goldman Sachs and learned of the Global Investment Research division, which aligns with my love for studying equity, fixed income, and commodities markets.

So far, I have completed two internships – one in venture capital with University Growth Fund and another in corporate finance at Koch Industries. I would love to work in either Salt Lake City or Dallas, but I am open to going where I am needed most."

Tips to Consider:

Stay focused on your personal history and focus on conveying relevant information to the opportunity.
Determine your strengths and find a way to incorporate them into your story.
Review your resume and choose stand-out pieces of your background and experiences to highlight.
Meet with a Career Coach to develop and practice telling your story.

Finding Alumni on LinkedIn

Getting your foot in the door at a company could be as simple as connecting with a former HSB student on LinkedIn.

Log into your LinkedIn account.
Search for the company you are interested in, and click on their official LinkedIn page.
Click on the "People" tab under the company name.
Type "Jon M. Huntsman School of Business" or "Utah State University" into the filter search box to filter all employees who have added their company and alma mater to their LinkedIn profile.
Add filters, such as location, roles, major, etc., to narrow down the results.

Once you have found people to connect with, if you are on a laptop or desktop computer, you can add them as a connection and send a message at the same time. Here's an example:

"Hi [their first name], my name is [your first and last name], and I saw that you are a fellow Aggie working in a job that I am very interested in. I am majoring in [your major] at USU and would love to connect over a quick call and get any career advice you might have. Thank you for connecting, and I hope to hear from you soon!"

Here is another message template to assist you:

'Cold' LinkedIn Request After Conference/Event

Informational Interviews

Informational interviews are a valuable tool for building professional relationships while gaining inside knowledge about potential careers or companies. While it may cover some of the same information as on printed material or a company website, it presents opportunities for an intimate and flexible inside view of a job, company, or field unmatched by other sources. Informational interviews allow you to ask specific questions and get firsthand insights into the day-to-day realities of a job.

Arranging the Interview

Contacting someone for an informational interview will look different depending on your circumstance. If you are contacting someone you have never talked to before, we recommend you request to connect on LinkedIn with a tailored note. If a recruiter or a close connection shared contact information for a referral, email and reference your mutual connection. Ask for only 15-30 minutes of their time to be respectful of other obligations.

Below are templates to reference as you craft a message or utilize an AI Chatbot to design an email that is right for you.

Sample Questions to Ask During an Informational Interview

Follow-Up with a Thank You

Send an email or handwritten note within 24 hours of your interview to express appreciation for their time, as you may utilize this individual as a valuable contact in the future. For samples of thank you notes, visit the Job Searching article.

Researching Companies

Researching a company’s mission, values, culture, and priorities is integral in effectively building relationships (networking). By taking time to understand the company and its industry, you demonstrate a genuine interest in the work and are a serious candidate. Additionally, this step can help you identify potential contacts within the organization and prepare thoughtful questions to ask during networking events or informational interviews

Ways to Research a Company

1. Visit the company website:	This is a great starting point to learn about its history, mission, values, products/services, and recent news or developments.
2. Utilize LinkedIn:	You can learn about organizational structure, employee backgrounds, and experiences and contact current employees for informational interviews.
3. Look for news articles:	Search for recent articles or press releases to learn about recent developments or changes.
4. Attend HSB and industry events:	Many HSB clubs and centers invite employers and alums to visit campus for networking events to help you learn about the atest trends and developments and provide opportunities to network with professionals.
5. Utilize the USU Library:	Contact the Learning and Engagement Services liaison for business students to learn more about researching resources free to students.

References

A significant benefit to networking is having a list of potential references. When applying for internships, jobs, or graduate school programs, candidates provide contact information of individuals who will positively speak to your character and qualifications. Unless directed otherwise, do not include a list of references on your resume or cover letter, as most applications will have a separate field to enter contact information.

Here are some steps to compile a valuable list for an employer.

Selecting References

Your references should know and articulate your valuable contributions, relevant skills, and abilities to maximize impact. These individuals may include supervisors, professors, or others who have witnessed your performance in work, school, research, or other extracurricular activities. Strong references can make or break a candidate’s chance of being selected

Approaching References

Getting consent from a reference before submitting their information with your application is important. Instead of saying, “Could you be a reference for me?” try:

“Hello [Name of Reference], I hope this message finds you well. I am reaching out to inquire about your availability to be a positive reference as I begin my job search. Your insights and professional guidance have been invaluable to me during my time at [School or Workplace]. I plan to apply for roles in [Industry or Field], and I would be honored if you could speak to my skills and qualifications as a candidate. Please let me know if you would be comfortable as my reference, and I will forward you relevant information. I appreciate your consideration and look forward to hearing from you soon.”

Always let your references know when you will use them, and give them several weeks’ notice when you need them to write a letter.

What to Provide your Recommenders

A copy of your tailored resume, cover letter, or letter of intent (if applicable)
A job description or (even better) a summary of how you fit the role/company/school
A thank you note or email afterward, keeping them posted on your status

Thank You Notes & Emails

Following up after a career fair, informational interview, or networking event is crucial. Sending a note or email demonstrates your professionalism. It is an excellent opportunity to remind a new connection of your conversation. Follow up promptly by sending your note or email 24-48 hours after meeting them. Keep it brief and make it personal.

Sample Thank You

Subject: Thank You for the Insightful Conversation at the HSB Career Expo Dear [Name of Contact],

I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for taking the time to speak with me at the recent HSB Career Expo. Our conversation left a lasting impression. I truly appreciate your valuable insights and advice regarding [specific topic discussed].

Your guidance and expertise in the [Industry/Field] were enlightening. I found our discussion about [highlight a specific aspect] particularly inspiring, and it has reaffirmed my passion for pursuing a career in this field.

Once again, thank you for your time and valuable insights. I look forward to staying connected and hope our paths cross again.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

[Your Contact Information / LinkedIn URL]

Backpack to Briefcase

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