Networking may seem like a scary concept, but not only can it be fun, it can help your career!

People generally build networks through:

• Immediacy- who is in your life right now?
• Proximity- who do you see frequently?
• Similarity- who in your circle has similar interests?

However, NAU Career Development encourages you to think outside of the box, and look beyond your immediate circle as you build your network.

There are three types of networks:

• Operational– relationships with people at work or school that allow you to get today’s work done efficiently. These are generally working/professional relationships such as supervisors, co-workers, faculty, and tutors/peer mentors.
• Personal– relationships of your choosing and people you like to hang out with informally, such as friends, peers involved in similar activities, and family members.
• Strategic– a blend of your operational and personal networks that help you envision a future career, or get resources you need that might not be available in your current network.

Your networks consist of Strong Ties and Weak Ties. Strong Ties are those that you know well and are often in frequently contact with. Weak Ties are those that you know, but do not yet know well. They might be part of your operational network, or even a part of your personal network. Often, you want to nurture your weak ties to make them into strong ties, and often, part of your strategic network!

LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional networking site. Create your LinkedIn profile, then build your professional brand, discover opportunities, stay up-to-date on industry news, and explore career paths through the alumni finder.

Networking

Making contact with prospective employers through membership in groups, clubs and organizations is a great way to get to know people who make hiring decisions. NAU has many pre-professional student groups, and you can find professional associations to join in What Can I Do With This Major? in the bottom left section of each major page.

Online networking

Online resources such as LinkedIn provide a way to professionally network with a large group of people. Sites such as Facebook may be used to maintain your social network but generally are not used for professional networking. Check out this resource that can help you manage your online reputation, especially in regards to social media profiles. You can find great tools for social media networking on the NAU Career Development Pinterest site.

Learn more

For more in-depth information, explore the following Career Steps online lessons:

Networking and relationship building: Building your personal brand

Networking and relationship building: Establishing your network

Things to consider

When evaluating a job offer, there are several factors to consider besides salary. Is the position what you had hoped for in terms of a challenge? If you value the opportunity to gain responsibility and independence, will the position give you fulfillment in those areas? What will the work environment and culture be like? Will the atmosphere be supportive? What does the benefits package look like? Gathering enough information can position you to make the best decision for yourself and prepare you to possibly negotiate aspects of the offer. Researching employee reviews of the organizations you’re interested in at Glassdoor.com can give you an inside view of the culture, challenges, and salary ranges to expect.

Evaluating the offer

1.  Carefully consider the job from three different perspectives: the position, the organization, and the industry.
2. Understand the climate or culture of the organization and your lifestyle choices. The climate or culture is the set of conditions that reflect the values and attitudes that drive policy or daily operations. It is the “personality” of the organization. Considering the organizational culture and comparing it to your lifestyle needs will help you determine if there is a ‘fit’ and if the lifestyle provided through this position is one with which you will be comfortable.
3. Assess the economic stability of the organization and the salary/benefit package. Determining whether the employer is financially stable is an important part of your evaluation process. It will also help you evaluate both the monetary and non-monetary aspects of the employment package being offered.

Learn more

For more in-depth information, explore the following Career Steps online lesson:

The hiring process: Understanding total compensation

What motivates you?

Dan Pink, a researcher and author, delves into the surprising science of what motivates us.

Glassdoor

Glassdoor Glassdoor gives you an inside look at jobs and companies including salary details, company reviews, and interview questions – all posted anonymously by employees and job seekers.

The art of negotiating is the process of pursuing a goal in a dialogue with another person or persons. Its resolution is one in which all involved should feel satisfied. Negotiating should not be an adversarial process, but a win-win situation for both parties. Before beginning any negotiation:

1. Do your research and be organized, know what you want, and be realistic. Be knowledgeable about non-salary forms of compensation including relocation reimbursement, early reviews with the option for a salary increase, signing bonus, and vacation leave. Consider these factors as part of the total package.
2. Assesses the current business climate. What is the state of the economy and the industry?  What is the current employment picture and the unemployment rate? What is the current demand in the job market for your expertise? How urgent is the need to fill the position? What is the employer’s internal flexibility to adjust salary levels?
3. Know yourself and your needs. Know your monthly expenses, understand your priorities and know the cost of living index for the area in which you will be living.
4. Research current salaries and benefits. Find average salary figures for your field by using the NACE Salary Calculator, Glassdoor.com, or Payscale.com. In order to negotiate a strong offer, you have to know the market. Approach salary conversations with your potential employer based on objective and researched information to strengthen your position. Think about the entire compensation package including salary, relocation, health plan, tuition reimbursement, and flex time.

When discussing salary expectations, you need to understand exactly what is expected of you and how your performance will be measured. Consider all factors. If the salary and benefits package offered does not meet your personal needs or is not competitive with similar positions you have researched, politely explain this to the employer and ask that the offer be reviewed. Bear in mind that salary negotiation is an ongoing process.

Acceptance letters or emails generally follow a phone conversation or written job offer. They allow you to confirm the details of your new job, such as base salary and start date. Acceptance letters basically formally acknowledge in writing your acceptance of the job and clarify your understanding of the job offer including salary, job title, relocation, and details of the position.

Once you and the employer agree to the terms of your employment, you are obligated to stand by your acceptance of the offer. You should strive to maintain a high standard of ethics throughout your professional life and maintaining your commitment to an accepted employment offer will certainly demonstrate your personal ethical standards.

Learn more

For more in-depth information, explore the following Career Steps online lesson:

The hiring process: Negotiating and accepting an offer

Many students from all majors consider employment with the federal government. The federal application process differs somewhat from applying to jobs in the private or non-profit sector. These resources can help you identify opportunities that match your interests and navigate the federal application process.

If you are curious about employment with the federal government, Go Government offers a thorough introduction to a variety of federal agencies, perspectives on working in the federal government, and practical tips for preparing an application. Click “Browse information by field” to identify job titles related to your major, or use the fact sheet at USAJobs.

Students and recent graduates have unique opportunities to gain internships and federal employment through the Pathways Programs, which provides clear paths to federal employment and on-site professional training. These programs are typically the most direct way for students and recent graduates to enter the federal workforce.

USAJobs is a database of job opportunities available with the federal government. Since this database is so large, it is highly recommended that you research the agencies that you’re most interested in working for, so you can narrow the search results down to a manageable quantity. The videos on the right sidebar can help you find jobs and navigate through USAJobs.

Best place to work in the federal government offers research-based rankings of how employees rate their agencies on a variety of workplace issues, including satisfaction with pay, leadership development, and work-life balance. Demographic information and comparisons to private-sector employment are also available.

To learn more about public service positions, which can include jobs with the government, nonprofits and NGO’s, please visit the Guide to Public Service. This detailed website outlines career paths, highlights organizations that hire for each one, and shares resources for special programs such as public service loan forgiveness.