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Networking 101

Building your network to support your active job search

The best way to connect with people as part of an active job search is to meet people in person.

Seize In-Person Networking Opportunities

  • Job fairs and information sessions
  • Faculty events and campus clubs
  • Community events

Tap into Warm Contacts

Unlock new opportunities by communicating your interests with the connections you already have. These are your warm contacts, and they include:

  • Friends
  • Professors
  • Relatives
  • Neighbors
  • People with whom you volunteer
  • Classmates
  • People on sports teams or community club

Start the Conversation

  • "I understand you work in ___ industry, what was your first role?"
  • "I’m considering a career in ___, what has your experience been?"

Ask for Leads

Even if your warm contacts don't match your specific interests, you can still leverage your connections to gain leads. A relative may have a neighbor in tech, and a neighbor may have a colleague in HR! 

  • "Does your organization have opportunities for students? How could I find out more?"
  • "I’m curious about a career in ___, do you know anyone in your organization who may be open to sharing their experience with me?"

Utilize Laurier's Alumni Network

Play your Golden Hawk card. When trying to make new contacts, start with Laurier alumni. Due to your shared experience, there will likely be a higher response rate compared to someone who went to another institution.

Laurier's Ten Thousand Coffees

  • This platform contains a pool of Laurier alumni across various fields and industries
  • Participants on this platform join to make connections and build professional relationships, making it a great place to start

Linkedin's 'Find Alumni' Feature

  • This unique feature does the heavy lifting for you! Head to the 'Network' Tab, then 'Find Alumni'
  • Next, filter thousands of Laurier alumni by field, organization, degree, and more

Ten Thousand Coffees

Join the Laurier Hub on Ten Thousand Coffees. Create a profile, find connections and schedule a time for a coffee chat with an alum. Whether you are in the process of choosing a career, preparing for a job interview or exploring where your major or degree might lead you, this is an excellent way to gather information and learn from Laurier alumni. Learn more about Ten Thousand Coffees.

PRO TIP: Make your request to connect 'Golden'. Stand out by adding a personal message to every connection request.

Reach Out to Cold Contacts

Cold contacts are those you don’t know personally or who were referred by others. While it may feel daunting, many professionals are eager to share their stories and advice.

Where to find cold contacts

  • Leverage directories, professional associations, LinkedIn, and social media
  • Conduct research to pinpoint key individuals within these organizations
  • Examine company websites to find relevant contact names

Conversation Starters

  • "Dear (industry professional), I’m a second-year science student exploring career options. Would you be open to sharing your experience working as a ___? If you have 15-20 minutes, I’d be eager to ask you a few questions, either online or in the Waterloo area."
  • "Dear (HR lead), your organization's work interests me as a third-year business student at Laurier. Do you have any upcoming networking or community events open to students?"


Keep Reading: Your Job Search Checklist or How to Maximize Your Job Search

Register for the Network with Confidence workshop: Navigator Calendar