Networking & Job Searching for IP&T Overview: Finding Opportunities & Connections

The previous module, Exploring Tools & Platforms, was meant to bring you to a basic- to medium-level understanding of and skill in the platforms we explore. Module 3 contains more in-depth content of each platform, especially how you might use various tools and platforms in combination to locate specific elements that IP&T students often find themselves looking for.

The NW&JS features you leverage, strategies you use, tools you start with, details you look for, and ways you might use each of these platforms will depend on your needs and goals, which can vary significantly among IP&T students. While it can seem overwhelming, there are specific starting points and simple methods that you can use in your NW&JS journey—depending on the kind of criteria you have and the opportunities you are looking for—that are more likely to provide advantageous results!

Module 3: Finding Opportunities & Connections

Module purpose: This module provides a variety of different content types to provide assistance through a number of common NW&JS scenarios.

Narrow Down My Search - Where Do I Start

This page covers some great starting prompts that can help you narrow down your search criteria or pick a topic to research in a variety of curated lists.

Estimated Read/View Time: 5-10 min.

This page answers the questions:

What kind of things can I be doing right now if I have no idea where to start?
How do I narrow down my search criteria?
How can I better define my career goals?
What kinds of skills, terms, titles, and job responsibilities should I be looking for to find relevant opportunities as an instructional designer?

Common NW&JS Scenarios: Video Walkthroughs/Demonstrations

This page maps out the strategy you might use for four common general search prompts. It contains video walkthroughs breaking down the steps and leveraging of multiples tools and platforms.

Estimated Read/View Time: 30-40 min.

This page answers the questions:

How can I best leverage the variety of platforms and tools I have at my disposal?
What tools and features should I utilize on NW&JS platforms?
How do I find opportunities by:
- Job Title/Responsibilities
- Geography
- Company/Organization
- Established connections

Networking: Cold Contacts & Creating Advocates

This page covers a helpful template for reaching out to new network connections, dos and don'ts, a video example of locating internal advocates, and the types of questions you might ask them

Estimated Read/View Time: 15-20 min.

This page answers the questions:

Who do I contact when I have questions?
What do I say to cold contacts, and when making new connections?
What communication channels do I use?
Who do I reach out to for more specific details about the job or the company?
How can I turn a stranger into an advocate?