Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate | Prerequisites: Career Exploration and Application Materials notes
This material covers Weeks 9 through 15 of ECO 101S: networking and informational interviews, interview preparation, LinkedIn and personal branding, and professional etiquette including salary negotiation. These topics close the loop on the career search process. You have identified your strengths (Part 1) and built your application materials (Part 2). Now you learn how to build relationships, present yourself in interviews, and handle the offer stage. The Career Game Plan final project (35% of grade) asks you to integrate everything from all three parts.
Networking is how most jobs are found, not job boards. Prepare for interviews using the STAR method and practise out loud. Build a LinkedIn profile that works as a searchable, professional version of your resume. When you receive an offer, know that negotiation is expected and that professional etiquette shapes every interaction from first email to final handshake.
Networking
Building and maintaining professional relationships that can provide information, advice, referrals, and opportunities. In simple terms, it is the process of meeting people in your field and staying in touch with them over time.
Informational interview
A short, informal conversation (typically 20 to 30 minutes) with a professional, where you ask questions about their career path, role, and industry. You are gathering information, not asking for a job. Think of it as research through conversation.
STAR method
A framework for answering behavioural interview questions: Situation (set the scene), Task (what you were responsible for), Action (what you specifically did), Result (what happened, quantified if possible). In simple terms, it turns "Tell me about a time when..." into a structured, compelling story.
Behavioural interview question
A question that asks you to describe a past experience as evidence of a skill or quality. Format: "Tell me about a time when you..." or "Give me an example of..." The interviewer is predicting your future behaviour from your past behaviour.
The primary professional social network. For job seekers, it functions as a searchable online resume, a networking platform, and a job board. Recruiters actively use it to find candidates.
HookedIn
A tool or extension that helps users optimise their LinkedIn activity and outreach. Referenced in the ECO 101S syllabus alongside LinkedIn and personal branding.
Personal branding
The deliberate, consistent presentation of your professional identity across all channels: resume, LinkedIn, networking conversations, email, and interviews. Think of it as making sure the answer to "what do people say about you professionally?" is the answer you want.
Salary negotiation
The process of discussing and agreeing on compensation after receiving a job offer. It is a standard part of the hiring process, not a confrontation. Employers expect it.
Professional etiquette
The unwritten rules of professional conduct: how you email, how you behave in meetings, how you follow up, how you handle introductions. In simple terms, it is the professional equivalent of table manners.
Tags: networking for students, informational interview questions, how to ask for a reference, professional networking economics, alumni networking
A large share of jobs are filled through referrals and connections rather than cold applications. Networking is not schmoozing; it is building relationships with people who can teach you about your target field.
How to network as a student
Start with people you already know: professors, former supervisors, family friends in relevant industries
Attend alumni guest speaker events (20% of your ECO 101S grade). Take notes. Ask at least one question.
Use LinkedIn to connect with UT alumni in your target industries. A short, personalised connection request ("I am a UT economics student interested in consulting, and I noticed you started at BCG after graduating") gets a far better response rate than the default message.
Follow up after every interaction. A brief thank-you email within 24 hours is the minimum.
Informational interviews
Purpose: learn about a field, company, or role from someone who does it. You are not asking for a job.
How to request one: send a concise email or LinkedIn message. State who you are, why you are reaching out to them specifically, and ask for 20 minutes of their time.
Questions to ask: "How did you get into this field?" "What does a typical day look like?" "What skills are most important in your role?" "What do you wish you had known when you were starting out?"
After the conversation: send a thank-you note, connect on LinkedIn, and follow up if they suggested any next steps.
References
Choose people who know your work well and can speak to specific skills, not just people with impressive titles
Always ask permission before listing someone as a reference
Give your references context: tell them which role you are applying for and remind them of specific projects you worked on together
Three references is standard. At least one should be a professional contact (supervisor, professor), not a personal friend.
Real-world application: The alumni guest speaker series in ECO 101S is itself a networking opportunity. Students who treat it that way (asking questions, following up with speakers, connecting on LinkedIn) leave the course with a more useful professional network than students who treat it as a passive attendance requirement.
Tags: interview prep economics, STAR method examples, behavioural interview questions, interview day tips, common interview questions
Interviews test two things: whether you can do the job (skills) and whether the interviewer wants to work with you (fit). Preparation addresses both.
Types of interviews
Phone screen: A 15-to-30-minute call, usually with an HR representative. Purpose: verify basic qualifications and interest. Be concise and enthusiastic.
Behavioural interview: Questions about past experiences. This is where the STAR method matters.
Case interview: Common in consulting. You are given a business problem and asked to work through it out loud. Requires separate, specific preparation.
Technical interview: Common in finance and data roles. You may be asked to interpret data, build a model, or solve quantitative problems.
Panel interview: Multiple interviewers at once. Make eye contact with everyone, not just the person who asked the question.
The STAR method in detail
Situation: Set the context in one to two sentences. Where were you? What was the project or challenge?
Task: What was your specific responsibility? What were you asked to do or achieve?
Action: What did you do? Be specific about your individual contribution, not the team's.
Result: What happened? Quantify if possible. What did you learn?
Example: "In my econometrics class (Situation), I was responsible for the regression analysis section of our group project on housing prices (Task). I cleaned three years of MLS data using R, ran multiple regression models, and tested for multicollinearity (Action). Our model predicted housing prices within 8% accuracy, and we received the highest grade in the class (Result)."
Common questions to prepare for
"Tell me about yourself" (use your elevator pitch, then bridge to why you are interested in this role)
"Why this company?" (requires research; name something specific)
"What is your greatest strength?" (use a CliftonStrengths theme with a concrete example)
"Tell me about a time you faced a challenge" (STAR method)
"Where do you see yourself in five years?" (show ambition but keep it realistic and aligned with the role)
"Do you have any questions for us?" (always have at least two prepared; never say no)
Interview day logistics
Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early
Dress one level above the company's daily dress code
Bring copies of your resume, a notebook, and a pen
Send a thank-you email within 24 hours, referencing something specific from the conversation
Tags: LinkedIn profile tips, LinkedIn for students, personal branding economics, HookedIn, online professional presence
Your LinkedIn profile is often the first thing a recruiter sees, sometimes before your resume. Treat it as a living, searchable version of your professional identity.
LinkedIn profile essentials
Photo: Professional headshot, clear background, appropriate attire. Profiles with photos receive significantly more views.
Headline: Go beyond "Student at UT Austin." Use keywords: "Economics Student | Data Analysis | Aspiring Financial Analyst"
Summary (About section): Two to three short paragraphs covering who you are, what you study, what you are looking for, and what skills you bring. Write in first person.
Experience: Mirror your resume, but you can expand slightly. Use the same action-verb-plus-result format.
Skills section: List at least 10 relevant skills. These are searchable by recruiters.
Connections: Connect with classmates, professors, alumni, career fair contacts, and guest speakers. Aim for at least 50 connections to start.
Using LinkedIn for your job search
Follow companies in your target industries
Engage with posts (thoughtful comments, not just likes)
Use the Jobs tab and set alerts for roles matching your criteria
Check who at the company is a UT alum and consider reaching out for an informational interview
Personal branding beyond LinkedIn
Consistency matters: your resume, LinkedIn, cover letter, and networking conversations should tell the same story
Google yourself. What comes up is part of your brand, whether you intend it or not.
Clean up social media accounts that are publicly visible. You do not need to delete everything, but remove anything you would not want a hiring manager to see.
Real-world application: Recruiters report that they regularly search LinkedIn for candidates before and after receiving applications. A strong LinkedIn profile is not a bonus; it is part of the application.
Tags: professional etiquette, salary negotiation entry-level, how to negotiate salary, business etiquette, thank-you email after interview
Etiquette is the layer that turns competence into a professional reputation. Negotiation is the skill that ensures you are compensated fairly.
Email etiquette
Use a clear subject line
Open with a greeting, close with a sign-off
Keep it concise: state your purpose in the first sentence
Proofread before sending. A careless email to a recruiter or hiring manager can cost you an opportunity.
Reply within 24 hours during business days
Networking and meeting etiquette
Be punctual. Arriving late signals that you do not value the other person's time.
Prepare an agenda or questions in advance, even for informal conversations
Listen more than you talk, especially in informational interviews
Follow up with a thank-you note within 24 hours
Dining and social etiquette
If a meal is part of the interview process, treat it as an interview, not a casual dinner
Let the interviewer lead (sit after they sit, order after they order, follow their lead on formality)
Avoid messy or difficult-to-eat foods
Put your phone away
Salary negotiation
When to negotiate: After you receive a written offer, not during the interview process
Research first: Know the market rate for the role in your location. Use Glassdoor, Payscale, or the Bureau of Labour Statistics.
How to frame it: Express enthusiasm for the role, then ask whether there is flexibility on the compensation. "I am very excited about this opportunity. Based on my research, roles like this in Austin typically pay between X and Y. Is there room to discuss the salary?"
What is negotiable beyond salary: Signing bonus, start date, remote work flexibility, professional development budget, vacation days
What to avoid: Issuing ultimatums, negotiating before you have a written offer, lying about competing offers
Students often think networking means asking strangers for jobs. It does not. Networking is building relationships over time, primarily by asking questions and showing interest in others' work.
Students often think the STAR method is only for behavioural questions. In practice, any interview question that asks for an example ("Can you walk me through..." or "Tell me about...") benefits from the STAR structure.
Students often think salary negotiation is aggressive or rude. Employers expect it. Failing to negotiate is leaving money on the table, and most hiring managers respect candidates who negotiate professionally.
Students often think a LinkedIn profile is something you set up once and forget. A stale profile with no activity signals disengagement. Update it regularly and engage with content in your field.
⚠️ Alumni Guest Speaker Reflection is 20% of your course grade. Attend at least three events and submit reflections. Treat the events as networking opportunities, not passive lectures.
⚠️ The Career Game Plan (35% of grade) requires a networking plan and an interview-preparation strategy. You cannot write a strong game plan without the concepts in this section.
⚠️ Interview Day (Week 13) is an in-class activity. Expect to practise answering behavioural questions using the STAR method. Being unable to structure an answer on the spot will be obvious.
⚠️ LinkedIn and personal branding are covered in Week 14. Your profile should be complete and professional before this class session.
Fill in the blank: STAR stands for ____, ____, ____, ____. (Situation, Task, Action, Result.)
True or False: You should ask for a job during an informational interview. (False. Informational interviews are for gathering information, not requesting employment.)
True or False: You should negotiate a salary offer verbally before seeing anything in writing. (False. Negotiate after you receive a written offer.)
Fill in the blank: A strong LinkedIn headline should include ____ relevant to your target roles. (Keywords.)
True or False: Sending a thank-you email after an interview is optional. (False. It is expected and should be sent within 24 hours.)
Q: You are preparing for a behavioural interview. Using the STAR method, answer: "Tell me about a time you worked on a team to solve a problem."
A: "In my Intermediate Microeconomics class (Situation), our group was assigned to analyse the effect of minimum wage increases on employment in a specific state (Task). I took responsibility for the data-cleaning phase, using R to merge three datasets and handle missing values, and then I ran the initial regression models that the team built on (Action). We presented our findings to the class and received a 95, with the professor specifically noting the rigour of our data preparation (Result)."
Q: What are three things you should do to prepare for an informational interview?
A: Research the person's background on LinkedIn, prepare five to seven open-ended questions about their career path and industry, and have your elevator pitch ready in case they ask about you.
Q: Name three elements of a strong LinkedIn headline for an economics student seeking a finance role.
A: Your degree subject (Economics), a key skill (Data Analysis or Financial Modelling), and your target role or industry (Aspiring Financial Analyst or Finance).
Q: You receive a job offer with a salary of $55,000. You believe the market rate is $60,000 to $65,000. How do you approach the negotiation?
A: First, express enthusiasm for the offer and the role. Then say something like: "I have researched compensation for similar roles in this market, and the typical range is $60,000 to $65,000. Given my skills in data analysis and my relevant internship experience, I would like to discuss whether there is flexibility to move closer to that range." Be professional, cite specific evidence, and be prepared for a counter-offer or for the employer to explain constraints.
Q: Why is consistency important in personal branding?
A: Because recruiters and hiring managers will see your resume, LinkedIn, and potentially your other online presence. If your resume says "aspiring consultant" but your LinkedIn summary focuses on journalism, it creates confusion about your goals and suggests you have not thought your career direction through.
This material is the final layer of the career search process. The self-assessment from Part 1 (your transferable skills and CliftonStrengths themes) gives you the content for interview answers and LinkedIn summaries. The application materials from Part 2 (your resume and cover letter) give you the stories you tell in interviews.
The Career Game Plan final project integrates everything: your target industries, your application materials, your networking strategy, your interview preparation, and your timeline for executing the search. Students who treat these three parts as connected rather than separate modules write significantly stronger game plans.
Beyond this course, the networking and interviewing skills here apply to every career transition you will make, not just your first job search.
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