For this article, I interviewed Alaina G. Levine, who is a professional speaker, STEM career consultant, and the author of the book Networking for Nerds. Out of all the talks I went to regarding job hunting and networking, only after listening to Alaina at the 2018 BPS Annual Meeting, was I completely convinced that networking is crucial when it comes to finding job and educational opportunities. In this article Alaina explains the philosophy of networking and how we should perceive and use it to advance our careers.

— Seda Kocaman, PhD Candidate, Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee at Knoxville and Member of the BPS Membership Committee

SK: What is networking and why is it crucial?

AL: Networking is the only way to get access to hidden career opportunities. Ninety percent of jobs and opportunities are gotten through networking. Networking is about crafting win-win alliances where both parties are providing value to each other by trying to see how they can contribute to each other’s goals. This creates an ecosystem for careers to be developed and expanded upon.

SK: How should we approach someone if we are interested in working with them?

AL: When you are searching for a job, do not just rely on the advertised positions alone. Reach out to people with whom you are interested in working and ask them for a 15-minute informal phone appointment to talk about what they are working on and how you can potentially collaborate or work with them. The idea is not to ask for jobs directly, but to indicate how you can help them in their work. This will give you access to hidden opportunities and maybe even have a position created solely for you. Think of networking as a longterm investment. You should not get into it wanting, needing, or emphasizing that you are going for a tangible benefit. If there is someone with whom you have been interacting for a while and you have not collaborated with them yet, it is still highly possible that in the future you can work together and that you are laying the groundwork today.

SK: How can we make sure that the people we have met before and would like to work in the future, will not forget about us over the years?

AL: To keep in touch with your contacts, email them one to four times a year, particularly around the holiday season. In the emails, you can include new information about yourself (e.g., what you are currently working on) and/or about them (e.g., they won the Nobel Prize!). You can also include something of value to them (e.g., a paper related to their work). Additionally, you can ask them a question about their research. This way you will display a positive attitude and show them that you are a professional scholar who is interested in their work. These will keep your promise of value (your brand) fresh in their minds and when an actual solidified opportunity comes up they will be more likely to consider working with you since they already know you.

SK: Do senior career individuals appreciate when an early career professional tries to reach out to them?

AL: Absolutely, yes! Even the top people like CEOs or Nobel Laureates are impressed when an early career professional reaches out to them. They see you brave and having a positive attitude, something that is required to be successful in their team. You do not have to meet them in person; in fact, the majority of networking is done online by finding people through LinkedIn or conference agendas, emailing and asking them for an informal 15-minute phone appointment. During the appointment you can ask them positive questions about their work and the best aspects of their job, and as the conversation unfolds you should mention your own expertise and strengths so that they can consider working with you.

SK: How likely is it to get a positive response when we ask people for a 15-minute informal appointment?

AL: The more people know about your brand, the more likely your career is to advance. Reaching out to 10 people in a month is a good start. In the beginning, when you are sending emails to people that you do not know personally, your conversion rate from sending the email to actually setting up an appointment is probably going to be about 50 percent. As you advance in your career and refine your language to write more powerful emails, the number will go up. Keep in mind that, just because someone cannot talk to you now, does not mean that they are saying no forever. Maybe in a year, there might be another opportunity for you to contact or even collaborate with them. Persistence is good in these cases, particularly in your early career.

SK: Thank you very much for all the valuable information you have shared with us Alaina! Finally, is there anything else you would like to share that we have not talked about?

AL: It was a pleasure, thank you! BPS offers some excellent networking opportunities and resources that you can use to advance your career. The most important thing that you can do for yourself in career building is to have that bravery to go up to people or to organizations like BPS and ask for experiences that you want, you need, and [where] you think that you will be able to provide value. When you demonstrate those guts, you will be amazed of what kind of opportunities you will get for yourself, your team, your field, and your career. This attitude will help you build the unicorn career of your dreams.