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NetworkingNetworking<div class="ExternalClass9A858D5CA84F4011890F502CE5DA29B9"><p>Do you wonder why you might need networking to obtain a job? Networking isn't a secret skill that only certain people can use - it's a tool everyone can benefit from. Networking simply means building relationships with others so you can share information, get advice, and learn about job opportunities you might not find on your own.​<span id="ms-rterangecursor-start"></span><span id="ms-rterangecursor-end"></span><br></p><p>Start with us! Check out our <a href="https://calendar.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/calendar/acacia?cid=-1&t=g&d=0000-00-00&cal=-1&ct=55201&inc=0" style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong style="">workshop calendar</strong></a> to explore classes on networking, including how networking works at a job fair, prepareing your elevator speech, and more. If you can't make it to a workshop, we also have helpful resources below for you to look through.<br></p><div class="ExternalClassC755C52A51E34BBF9A2B2E85354B5F9F"><span style="font-size:13px;font-family:"Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div></div>

 

 

 

 

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How to Use Networking at a Job Fairhttps://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/Lists/AddOnContent/DispForm.aspx?ID=257How to Use Networking at a Job Fair257<div class="ExternalClass7D28AE453F8A43C891CD407CE3A4DFE9">Networking at a job fair is simply learning how to connect with people in a way that helps you discover opportunities. You don't need to be an expert - just a little preparation can make the experience easier and more comfortable. Here are three simple tools you can use: icebreakers, conversation starters, and active listening.<br><div><br></div><div><strong>Start with an Icebreaker</strong><br></div><div>Icebreakers help you begin a conversation in a friendly, low-pressure way. A quick question or comment can open the door to learning more about an employer. </div><div>For Example:<br></div><div><ul><li>"Hi, I'm ... What types of positions are you hiring for today?"</li><li>"What do you enjoy most about working here?"<br></li></ul>These small openers help you feel confident and get the conversation going.<br></div><div><br></div><div><strong>Use Conversation Starters to Learn More</strong><br></div><div>Once you've introduced yourself, conversation starters help you gather useful information. They show interest and help you understand what each employer is looking for. <br></div><div>You might ask:<br></div><div><ul><li>"What skills are most important for your open roles?"<br></li><li>"Are there opportunities for training or growth?"<br></li></ul>These questions can help you decide which employers you want to follow up with.<br></div><div><br></div><div><strong>Practice Active Listening</strong><br></div><div>Active listening helps employers feel heard and valued - and it helps you catch important details. You can practice active listening by:<br></div><div><ul><li>Making eye contact and nodding<br></li><li>Summarizing key points ("So you're looking for strong customer service experience...")<br></li><li>Asking follow-up quetions<br></li></ul>​Active listening turns a quick conversation into a real connection.<br></div><div><br></div><div>Putting it all Together<br></div><div>Using these three tools - icebreakers, conversations starters, and active listening - can help you create meaningful interactions at any job fair. They make networking feel natural and helps<span id="ms-rterangecursor-start"></span><span id="ms-rterangecursor-end"></span> you discover opportunities you may not have known about.<br></div></div>
Crafting Your Elevator Pitchhttps://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/Lists/AddOnContent/DispForm.aspx?ID=251Crafting Your Elevator Pitch251<div class="ExternalClass2C768D5351F844B3877146384ED420BA"><span id="ms-rterangepaste-start"></span><div><strong>What is an elevator pitch and why do you need one?​</strong></div><div class="ExternalClassD4CBEE53A0ED4C16B28E7F025328F4C1"><p>An elevator pitch is a short, 30‑second introduction that highlights who you are, what you do, and the key point you want someone to remember. The idea comes from the amount of time you'd have to make an impression if you met someone in an elevator—just a brief moment to introduce yourself, share your main message, and make a connection before the doors open.​<br></p><p>Having an elevator pitch ready is helpful anytime you’re in situations where you might meet a potential employer or networking contacts. When preparing for an interview, it can also serve as a quick, confident way to stay focused and emphasize why you’re a great fit for the role.​<br></p><p><strong>Parts of the Pitch: What do you do?</strong></p><p><strong></strong>​Focus on one or two key points you want someone to remember about you. Think about the skills or experiences that shape your career goals, and how you can make a personal connection that helps the other person understand what matters to you. </p><div>You might highlight things like:<br></div><div><ul><li>​<strong>Skills</strong>: What strenghts do you bring to a job or internship? How did you develop them?<br></li><li><strong>Values or Passions</strong>: What motivates you? What do you genuinely care about when it comes to your career and future goals?<br></li></ul>​<strong>Parts of the Pitch: What's your ask?</strong><br><br></div><div>It's important to end by asking a question. The question might be as simple as a request for advice or sharing information. It might be also include a request to keep connected. Sometimes it's helpful to include context on why you attended this event.<br></div><div><br></div><div>E.g. "I'm at the career fair because I'm hoping to find a summer internship in data science. Can you tell me whether your organization has any internships like this, and how I might go about applying?'<br><br></div><div><strong>Tips</strong></div><div><ul><li>​<strong>Target your pitch to the event you're attending</strong>: If you're attending an event where a specific type of job is hiring (office work, physical labor, etc.), emphasize whatever skillset you have which aligns closest to said types of job will help<span id="ms-rterangecursor-start"></span><span id="ms-rterangecursor-end"></span> to get your foot in the door.<br></li><li><strong>Practice</strong>: It may feel awkward the first few times you introduce yourself this way. The way to get better and to feel more comforable is to practice!<br></li><li><strong>Have an ask</strong>: Always give the person you're talking with a way to be helpful. Whether it's through sharing information or making a professional contact, let them know how they can help you. <br></li><li><strong>Follow up</strong>: Use email or linkedIn to follow up. Remind the person of the context in which you met, thank them for speaking with you, and find a way to continue the conversation.​<br></li></ul></div></div><span id="ms-rterangepaste-end"></span><br></div>
Personal Branding for Job Huntinghttps://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/Lists/AddOnContent/DispForm.aspx?ID=258Personal Branding for Job Hunting258<div class="ExternalClassB5AFC6CD207346BDB9C4002FB4F98AFE">Personal branding is all about showing employers who you are, what you bring to the table, and why you're a strong fit for their company. It's not about creating a fake image - it's about clearly communicating your strengths, values, and professional goals so employers can see your potential. <br><div><br></div><div><strong>What is Personal Branding?</strong><br></div><div>Personal branding is the way you present yourself as a job seeker. It includes your skills, your experience, your personality, and the way you talk about your career goals. A strong personal brand helps employers understand what makes you unique and why they should remember you.<br></div><div><br></div><div><strong>Why Personal Branding Matters</strong><br></div><div>When employers meet you - whether at a job fair, in an interview, or online - they're trying to quickly understand who you are as a candidate. A clear personal brand helps you:<br></div><div><ul><li>Stand out in a competitive job market<br></li><li>Communicate your strengths with confidence<br></li><li>Show professionalism and readiness<br></li><li>Make a lasting impression<br></li></ul><strong>How to Build Your Personal Brand</strong><br></div><div>You don't need anything fancy to create a personal brand. Just focus on a few key areas:<br></div><div><ol><li>Know your strenghts<br></li><li>Define your career goals</li><ul><li>​Employers appreciate candidates who know what they want. You don't need a perfect plan - just a clear idea of the kinds of roles or work environments you're aiming for. Think about what you're good at and what others often compliment you on. These strengths help shape your brand.<br></li></ul><li>Craft a simple "brand statement"<br></li><ul><li>​A brand statement is a short sentence that explains who you are professionally. For example: "I'm a customer service professional who enjoys helping people and solving problems." This helps employers quickly understand your focus.<br></li></ul><li>Align your resume, elevator speech, and online profiles<br></li><ul><li>​Your materials should match your brand. Keep your message consistent across your resume, your job fair introduction, and any online job platforms you use.<br></li></ul><li>Show your professionalism<br></li><ul><li>​Your communication, appearance, and reliability are part of your brand. Showing up prepared and staying positive goes a long way.<br></li></ul><li>Be authentic<br></li><ul><li>​The strongest brand is an honest one. Be yourself - your real skills, values, and strengths are what employers want to see.<br></li></ul></ol><strong><span id="ms-rterangecursor-start"></span>​​Putting It All Together<span id="ms-rterangecursor-end"></span></strong><br></div><div>Personal branding helps you present yourself confidently and clearly. When you know how to talk about your strenghts, goals, and experiences, employers can more easily see where you fit in their organization. A solid personal brand will help you stand out, feel more prepared, and make meaningful connections throughout your job searching experience.<br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div>
The Art of the Follow-Up in Job Huntinghttps://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/Lists/AddOnContent/DispForm.aspx?ID=259The Art of the Follow-Up in Job Hunting259<div class="ExternalClassE06C582F4D5D4F49ADD7BFDD276382C5">Following up is a small step that can make a big difference in your job search. It shows employers that you're interested, professional, and serious about the opportunity. A simple follow-up can help you stand out, keep conversations moving, and even lead to interviews or job offers.<br><div><br></div><div><strong>Why Follow-Up Matters</strong><br></div><div>Employers meet many job seekers<span id="ms-rterangecursor-start"></span><span id="ms-rterangecursor-end"></span>, especially at job fairs or during busy hiring seasons. A thoughtful follow-up helps them remember you and shows that you're proactive. It also gives you a chance to:<br></div><div><ul><li>​Reinforce your interest in the position<br></li><li>Ask any remaining questions<br></li><li>Keep building your professional relationship<br></li></ul>​​<strong>When to Follow Up</strong><br></div><div>You can follow up at several points in your job search:<br></div><div><ul><li>After attending a job fair or hiring event<br></li><li>After speaking with a recruiter or employer<br></li><li>After submitting an application<br></li><li>After an interview<br></li></ul>A good rule of thumb is to follow up within 24-48 hours while the conversation is still fresh for both of you.<br></div><div><br></div><div><strong>How to Craft a Simple, Effective Follow-Up</strong><br></div><div>You don't need anything long or complicated. A short message works best. Focus on three main parts:<br></div><div><ol><li>Thank them<br></li><ul><li>​​Start by thanking the person for their time or for speaking with you.<br></li></ul><li>Repeat your interest<br></li><ul><li>​Let them know you're excited about the opportunity and briefly mention why you're a good fit.<br></li></ul><li>Add a next step<br></li><ul><li>​Keep the conversation going by asking a question or letting them know you're happy to provide more information.<br></li></ul></ol>​Example: "Thank you for speaking with me at the job fair today. I enjoyed learning about your customer service openings. I believe my experience working with the public would be a strong match for your team. Please let me know if there's any additional information I can provide."<br></div><div><br></div><div><strong>Tips for Successful Follow-Up</strong><br></div><div><ul><li>Keep your message short and professional<br></li><li>Use the contact information they provided<br></li><li>Personalize your message so it doesn't feel generic<br></li><li>Stay positive and polite<br></li><li>Be patient - Responses take time<br></li></ul><strong>Putting It All Together</strong><br></div><div>Follow-up is one of the most important and often overlooked parts of job hunting. A simple message can build stronger connections, stand out from other applicants, and increase your chances of moving forward in the hiring process. It's a small effort that can make a big impact.​<br></div></div>

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arizona Department of Economic Securityhttps://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/Lists/Links/DispForm.aspx?ID=1770https://des.az.gov/services/employmentArizona Department of Economic SecuritySame Window0x0100B7E011FE46583C4E8C35CBD368DCEE8D0079739691E7ACA5418776612748C8B5B7<div class="ExternalClass031503ED6B4A489CA107805784AAA971"><p>​The Arizona Department of Economic Security is a great resource if you need employment assistance. They have connections to wonderful resources throughout Arizona and articles about resumes, interviews and more.<br></p></div>
Career Connectorshttps://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/Lists/Links/DispForm.aspx?ID=262https://careerconnectors.org/Career ConnectorsNew Window0x0100B7E011FE46583C4E8C35CBD368DCEE8D0079739691E7ACA5418776612748C8B5B7<div class="ExternalClassB153B33E6CCB4F248A62FB5F91E63927">​Access information about career connections, educational workshops, networking opportunities, and social media connections<br></div>
GET Phoenix Young Professionalshttps://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/Lists/Links/DispForm.aspx?ID=1794https://www.getphoenix.orgGET Phoenix Young ProfessionalsSame Window0x0100B7E011FE46583C4E8C35CBD368DCEE8D0079739691E7ACA5418776612748C8B5B7<div class="ExternalClassEA3EF341B0034E35823469021700A42F">The creation of GET<span id="ms-rterangecursor-start"></span><span id="ms-rterangecursor-end"></span> Phoenix Young Professionals began with one question. How do you elevate the Phoenix of tomorrow? The answer was simple: grow the emerging talent in the Valley. Thus, Growing Emerging Talent, or GET Phoenix, was born. GET Phoenix facilitated personal development and building business relationships with a focus on community.<br></div>
Greater Phoenix Chamberhttps://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/Lists/Links/DispForm.aspx?ID=1793https://phoenixchamber.com/events/networking-professional-events/Greater Phoenix ChamberSame Window0x0100B7E011FE46583C4E8C35CBD368DCEE8D0079739691E7ACA5418776612748C8B5B7<div class="ExternalClass9BCD163A281F4BFAADB3299781E0BF21">They believe in the power of connection and collaboration. They host events to connect businesses, industry leaders, and professionals from all sectors. The events offer an exceptional opportunity to engage with peers, share ideas, and create connections.<span id="ms-rterangecursor-start"></span><span id="ms-rterangecursor-end"></span><br></div>
LinkedInhttps://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/Lists/Links/DispForm.aspx?ID=775https://www.linkedin.com/LinkedInSame Window0x0100B7E011FE46583C4E8C35CBD368DCEE8D0079739691E7ACA5418776612748C8B5B7<div class="ExternalClass4DBE6075CE0E4E74AD41B62DB44E70DC"><div>The premier professional social networking site - LinkedIn allows you to connect to colleagues, past jobs, professional rganizations, and future employers. Recruiters may reach out or you can apply for new jobs directly on LinkedIn.<br></div></div>
Meetup (Phoenix)https://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/Lists/Links/DispForm.aspx?ID=260https://www.meetup.com/cities/us/az/phoenix/Meetup (Phoenix)Same Window0x0100B7E011FE46583C4E8C35CBD368DCEE8D0079739691E7ACA5418776612748C8B5B7<div class="ExternalClass2DCBD12330074C76B02CDCCE706B057B">Explore different groups to network and expand your contacts.<br></div>
Network After Workhttps://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/Lists/Links/DispForm.aspx?ID=1791https://networkafterwork.comNetwork After WorkSame Window0x0100B7E011FE46583C4E8C35CBD368DCEE8D0079739691E7ACA5418776612748C8B5B7<div class="ExternalClass023E980B3A14424EACC609B250DC543E">Join a large online ​professional networking community. Find professionals by city, industry, career stage, and interest. ​<span id="ms-rterangecursor-start"></span><span id="ms-rterangecursor-end"></span><br></div>
Never Search Alonehttps://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/Lists/Links/DispForm.aspx?ID=1792https://www.neversearchalone.org/jscNever Search AloneSame Window0x0100B7E011FE46583C4E8C35CBD368DCEE8D0079739691E7ACA5418776612748C8B5B7<div class="ExternalClass850FA9E79A574E0E9A4C365AB9DE8397">This web-resource is a job search council, which is a mutual support group of peer job seekers. You are searching for jobs together, often with strangers but with a common purpose. This is in hopes that with help each job seeker is able to find better jobs faster.<span id="ms-rterangecursor-start"></span><span id="ms-rterangecursor-end"></span><br></div>
Toastmasters Clubhttps://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/Lists/Links/DispForm.aspx?ID=1802https://phoenixaz.toastmastersclubs.orgToastmasters ClubSame Window0x0100B7E011FE46583C4E8C35CBD368DCEE8D0079739691E7ACA5418776612748C8B5B7<div class="ExternalClass4E1EE5312D6C4E13A60A399C467A879A"><p><span id="ms-rterangepaste-start"></span>Members practice prepared speeches, impromptu speaking, meeting roles, and constructive feedback in a supportive club setting.​​​<span id="ms-rterangecursor-start"></span><span id="ms-rterangecursor-end"></span><span id="ms-rterangepaste-end"></span><br></p></div>

 

 

 

 

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UdemyUdemy<div class="ExternalClass9C9B0E47C8BD4DFC9B48D213B0E8C843"><p>​Thousands of high-quality, on-demand video courses taught by world-class instructors across 75 categories.<br>​<br></p></div>https://catalog.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/Search/misc/esources.aspx?Target=852https://assets.cengage.com/gale/docs/training/Udemy%20Tip%20Sheet.pdfhttps://my.nicheacademy.com/phoenixpubliclibrary/course/66665https://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/browse/elibrary/getting-started/udemyEverywherests4s://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/attachmentUrl=https://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/Lists/Resources/Attachments/121/852udemy.png