Have you heard of the “hidden job market”, where jobs are not formally advertised online? Did you know that approximately 70-80% of jobs are filled through this “hidden job market” (Forbes, 2023)? In other words, accessing these opportunities often relies on the network of people we know and the professionals we connect with.
Grow your network and personal brand online.
View additional networking strategies and informational interview tips in the "Resources" section
of Handshake
Build your network further by visiting The Panther Network, exclusive networking for the Chapman Community
Stop by the Office of Career and Professional Development to talk to a peer advisor
about networking tips and advice.
Schedule a "Networking and Informational Interviews" appointment with a career advisor from Chapman’s Career Team.
Find Faculty via Chapman's Faculty Directory.
- Connecting with people and cultivating relationships
- Exchanging information, resources and support to create mutually beneficial relationships
for personal and professional use
- Achieving visibility
- An opportunity to:
- Develop good listening skills
- Practice your formal and informational interviewing skills
- Gain insight into the career and profession you are interested in
- Practice your elevator pitch
- Gain resume feedback
- Networking is about becoming part of the network
- Not all about “schmoozing.”
- Not about manipulating people to get hired.
- Not a quick fix. It is a long-term investment.
- Not asking for a job or using people. It is about learning from others.
- Obtain valuable advice and support.
- Leads to access to insider information about organizations and jobs before advertised.
- Receive assistance from network with navigating the job search process.
Informational interviews are informal conversations with a professional in a job/organization/industry in which you are interested. Informational interviews
are not job interviews. Rather, they can provide you with insider insight as you are looking to learn more about an industry, field,
career path or employer. You are not asking them for a job. You are gaining information to help you with your career goals
(but there is always a chance this could lead to an opportunity!).
Learn more in our Networking and Informational Interviewing Handshake article.
