T6

1. COMM 202
Tutorial 6
Take out your name
cards & put technology
away, please 
Cheralyn Chok
T39
Networking & Informational
Interviews
March 4, 2016

2. Agenda
1. TA Feedback
2. General class feedback on resumes
3. Networking at events
4. Informational Interviews
5. Action Items

3. 1. TA Feedback
 Start:
 More in-class examples (online)
 Creative and fun activities in class
 Grades distribution on Connect
 Email out slides
 Cold call!
 Stop:
 Relying too much on Powerpoint
 Giving drafts to other tables
 Continue:
 Action Item emails
 Feedback
 Playing music at the beginning of class

4. 2. General Class Feedback
 If your specialization isn’t chosen yet, write one that you’re interested in (“Intended
Specialization: Finance”).
 Don’t include information about your high school EDUCATION achievements.
 Include your key courses and as much detail about your education as possible.
 Experiences should be organized in decreasing chronological order by START date.
 Remember to make your statements RESULTS-based. Not necessarily in RATS order, but
must hit all of those points.
 As a general rule, don’t include Microsoft Office as a technical skill (or in your personal
profile). Many students have these same abilities.
 Remember to keep your statements in third-person! But don’t include a pronoun.
 Focus on quality and in-depth description of your achievements, rather than a long list of
activities.

5. How to submit?
 You will submit your documents TWICE
 Once to Turnitin.com for marking (by 1:59pm)
 Secondly to COOL (this is how you will receive an interview for the
Employment Interview assignment) (by midnight, same day…but just do
it right away so you don’t forget!)
 Full instructions on how to submit to COOL are on the course blog
under assignments / resume and cover letter

7. 3. Networking Event
SAVE THE DATE:
Thursday, March10th from
6:00pm-8:00pm @ CPA Hall
 Alumni, senior students, and local professionals
convening for an evening of networking with this
semester’s COMM 202 students
 Excellent opportunity to practice and refine your
networking skills and learn more about how to make the
most of your time at Sauder!
March
10

8. Reflection Paper Assignment
 Your goals in attending the event
 What is your purpose in going? Define SMART goals beforehand
 How did you prepare for the event (research potential
delegates)?
 A brief summary of who you spoke with (3+ convos) and
what you learned in the conversations
 A reflection on the lessons you have learned about the
networking process
 Next steps you will take to continue building a relationship
with your new contact (if you plan to)
assignment requirements
10% of your final grade
Due Monday March
14th
Minimum of one page
Submit to Turnitin by
11:59PM

9. Researching Contacts
 Check out the delegate info on the course blog
 Skim the LinkedIn profiles of delegates you’d like to speak to
 Note any interesting topics
 Hone in on similar experiences or shared groups
 Think about questions to ask
 During the event, be interested without being creepy! 
“I had a chance to look
at your LinkedIn
profile, and I was really
interested to learn
about…”

10. Dressing the part
 The networking event is Business Casual. What does that mean to you?

11. Dressing the part:
 For ladies:
 Dress pants, khaki
pants, dark denim, or
skirts (hemline just
above your knees or
longer!)
 Blouse, dressy tank
with a cardigan or
blazer, or collared
shirt (avoid spaghetti
strap tops)
 Flats or low heels

12. Dressing the part
 For guys:
 Dress pants, nice
khakis, or dark
denim
 Collared shirt
(patterned or plaid
is fine!), jacket if
you like
 Dress shoes or
loafers

13. Dress for success!
 Research the
event dress
code if you
aren’t sure
what it
means!

14. Networking Event Mechanics
Web to web
Eye color
Name tag on right Smile 
Comfy Shoes

15. Assessing the room

16. The Approach
Avoiding the awkward:
 Don’t interrupt. When joining a
networking circle, wait for a lull in the
conversation.
 Never have food and a drink, you need
a free hand to shake!
 Go with a wingman – but not a
Siamese twin

17. Introduce Yourself
Just simply say hi!
 Hi, my name’s Cheralyn.
 Hi Alison, it’s nice to meet you. My name’s Andy.
Show you’re interested in talking to them
 Hi Andy it’s great to meet you as well. I was actually hoping to chat with you
this evening as I noticed on your LinkedIn profile that you…and I would love to
hear more about your experience.
Start the conversation. Ask a question / have them talk about themselves / Stay
positive
 Do you have any advice for students…looking to make the most of their time at
Sauder? …looking for a career in your field?

18. Continuing the conversation
LISTEN
 Be careful not to monopolize peoples’ time
 Listen for facts, feelings, free information and implied statements
 Introduce others, tying them into the conversation
 Identify commonalities
 Ask open ended questions

19. The graceful exit
 Spend 5 to 10 minutes with one person; wait for a lull
 Excuse yourself kindly and assertively:
 “It was nice to meet you”
 “I’m glad you were here today. It’s been great chatting with you. Thanks
so much.”
 “I don’t want to monopolize all your time today. Thank you for taking time
to speak with me and I hope you enjoy the rest of the event.”
 Shake hands and exchange cards or ask to connect (if the
conversation was meaningful)

21. Follow it up!
 After great conversations, send a personalized email or
LinkedIn request (or maybe an informational interview
request?  )
Hi Sabrina,
It was so great to get the chance to speak with you at last night’s networking event. I was
really inspired by what you said about “building your personal brand”, and I am looking
forward to putting your advice into practice.
I would love to continue our conversation about your experience at YVR. I understand that
you are very busy, but it would be great to meet for about 20 minutes. Would you be
available to meet on Monday or Tuesday next week? Coffee is on me!
Thank you,
Cheralyn Chok

22. The 202 Networking Event – Thursday!

23. 202 Networking Event: Pet Peeves
 Asking questions and not listening to the answer
 Asking rapid-fire questions so no one else can speak
 When a person’s outfit is distractingly unprofessional
 When students only talk about their option choices or
career path! Try connecting over a common interest
beyond work and school

24. 202 Networking Event: Pro Tips!
 Eat dinner beforehand
 Do some research on the delegates, but don’t get consumed in
stalking every LinkedIn profile
 Dress classy and comfortably
 Have a few interesting questions / topics to chat about ready to
go. How do you want to be remembered?
 When all else fails, find a 202 TA and we’ll help you join a circle
 Head to an area that is less packed
 Manage your energy – take a breather if you need it

25. 4. Informational Interviews
1. Get your foot in the door (faster)
2. Gain insight about a company, industry, or career path
3. Practice your interview and networking skills
4. Find a potential mentor
5. Show them who you are beyond your resume and cover letter
WHY?

26. Info Interview Assignment
10% of your final grade
Due Thursday April 14th
Minimum of one page
In-person and not current UBC
student/staff/faculty or family
member
 Contact details (name, company, title, phone, email)
 List of questions asked
 Major insights gained – What did you learn during
your informational interview? **This is the most
important part, should be 40% of final paper.
 Did you request/receive any information regarding
additional connections?
 Follow up action – What will you do to maintain this
connection? *Screen shot of thank you email
required
 What are your next steps having conducted this
information interview?
assignment guidelines

27. Next steps to land your info interview
1. Find 4 or 5 potential contacts – WHERE?!
2. Research them (Google, LinkedIn) and reach out to contacts
you have in common
3. Decide what you want to talk to them about and
brainstorm questions and points of commonality
4. Send out your invites! Don’t be offended if they don’t reply
immediately

28. Where does networking happen?
 Chance meetings (i.e. sitting beside
someone on an airplane)
 Facilitated events (company info
sessions, networking events)
 As a result of a direct request
(informational interviews)

29. 5. Action Items
 Sign up for OFFICE HOURS!
 Resume & Cover Letter Due TUESDAY MARCH 8TH @1:59PM
 Submit through COOL and Turnitin
 Networking Event on Thursday, March 10th, 2016
 From 6:00-8:00pm in the CPA Hall
 Next week is … tutorial!

30. In other news…
Brand Management Mentorship Program
 Information Session March 11th @ 12:30–1:30 PM HA 491
 RSVP on COOL!
COOP Applications are out!!