Networking

Your guide to building and nurturing professional connections.

Networking is more than collecting contacts. It’s about creating meaningful relationships that support your career growth. In this section, you’ll find practical tools and expert advice to help you do just that.

📊 Why Networking Matters More Than You Think

*80% of jobs are filled through referrals or networking

*Cold applications have a response rate below 2%

*Informational interviews lead to 5x more job leads than job boards

Source: “The 2-Hour Job Search”, LinkedIn Insights, Forbes Career Studies

Vault Guides

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Helpful Videos

9 min TedTalk by inspirational author & speaker on what he considers the 3 pillars of networking: competency, humility and persistency.

1 hour 20 mins video interview with Steve Dalton on how to leverage the 2-hour job search & AI for networking.

Follow-up is a critical part of any effective job search. Allow Fuqua’s own Steve Dalton, former Program Director for Daytime Career Services and author of The 2-Hour Job Search, to explain why tracking your job search outreach is so important and how the 3B7 Routine can help you track outreach, efficiently and effectively.

Steve Dalton, former Program Director of Daytime Career Services at Duke's Fuqua School of Business and author of "The 2-Hour Job Search", tells you everything you need to know about Thank You Notes.

Learn practical tips to maximize networking, build connections, and create lasting impressions at company events.

Expert Perspectives

TIARA FRAMEWORK FOR NETWORKING

Informational interviews are conversations between you and a professional working in a field/career of interest to you. The TIARA Framework1 is a technique by Steve Dalton that you can use for informational interviews. It is a way to get your foot in the door and build your professional network while learning about a profession from the people who work in it every day.

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NETWORKING WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE

Know that the true goal of networking isn’t just to meet random people or collect business cards - instead, it’s to leverage the power of human connections to become more than just a resume. To pursue a life-changing opportunity by showcasing your full abilities, not just an online application.

So don’t be deterred by your preconceptions. Instead, read on to see how you can network in an authentic way to score a job you truly love.

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9 TIPS FOR NAVIGATING YOUR FIRST NETWORKING EVENT

As you’ve probably gathered, networking is much more than showing up, grabbing some free snacks, and passing out business cards. It’s about meeting people, sharing who you are and what you do, and gaining some valuable contacts and information that you can use in your job search or at work in the future.

And to make the most of it, all it takes is a little preparation and practice.

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Additional Resources

MY JOB GLASSES

My Job Glasses connects students with professionals for one-on-one meetings to explore careers, get advice, and expand their network.

ACCESS HERE

The "10 Idea Strategy" to 10x Your Networking

Austin Belcak shares the "10 Idea Strategy" which will make your networking significantly easier!

LISTEN HERE

IE GENERATIONS PLATFORM

The IE Generations Platform is designed exclusively for IE Students and Alumni, offering the chance to either receive guidance from fellow graduates or give back as a mentor.

MORE INFO HERE