Social Flight School Student Preparation
Participation Paths
- Compete at UToledo Invitational Sales Competition (UTISC)
- Coach your peers at UToledo Invitational Sales Competition (UTISC)
- Help run the event on Friday morning as an attendant for development blocks, judge room, or career fair at UToledo Invitational Sales Competition (UTISC) or an attendant at Social Flight School. Learn, network, help others, and get workers perks like Amazon gift cards and wearing casual UToledo/ESSPS swag all at the same time!
- Engage in role play social situations within a business context and get coaching at Social Flight School
- Each path earns you Eureka points with UToledo that you can redeem for rewards throughout the year
Why Attend
- Improve interpersonal skills in an interactive environment while learning about various sales career opportunities
- Expand your career contact network by talking to firms you might have missed at the college job fair and/or meeting new contacts
- Increase and direct your exposure to the firms that are focused on recruiting sales talent
- Follow-up in person with the firms you are currently targeting for employment
- Meet the individual(s) who might become your next manager!!!
- ...required for those taking a professional sales class this semester because Social Flight School is designed to help with professional development and recruiting. If you are unable to attend Social Flight School, you need to talk with your instructor ASAP and have documentation in order to receive the alternate assignment. Otherwise, you are expected to be there.
Prepare
- Request time off or an altered schedule at work, if needed
- Accept the calendar invite from the Edward Schmidt School of Professional Sales (ESSPS) to make sure the event is on your calendar and that you have important event information and links at your fingertips. Only students who complete the engagement survey by the deadline will receive the calendar invite. Calendar invites go out during week 3 of the semester.
- Review your flight plan in Launchpad. Flight plan includes a brief description of the social scene, which corporate partner will be at the scene to role play, which student(s) are role playing each scene, and who is on the flight (students and corporate partner pilot). Flight plans are posted 1-2 weeks before the event in the General channel.
- Prepare conversation starters and social topics for discussion
- Social scene possibilities include: networking reception at a conference, dinner with a potential client after a sales call, company sponsored golf outing, holiday office party, client appreciation event at a sports game, trade show booth interaction, business flight, company lunch-n-learn, and volunteer event with co-workers.
- Plot twists are not shared in advance to encourage students to think on their feet. Plot twists can be etiquette or ethical based. Possibilities include alcohol consumption, tripping, dealing with a loud talker, receiving confidential information, etc.
- At the event, remember to submit a QR code survey for each social scene that you visit
- Research the companies using the attendee information found in Launchpad's Corporate Partner Info channel
- Update resume and/or personal business cards
- Compose tailored cover letters for the top firms you are targeting
- Follow ESSPS social media for updates (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram)
- Practice your opening
- Select an appropriate business casual outfit and make sure it is clean and tidy
What to Bring and how to Dress
- Personal business cards
- Something to take notes on and a pen
- Business casual attire
Refreshment
- Water and coffee provided
Follow-up
- Send brief follow-up letters to the business professionals you met thanking them for their time/guidance/information/etc and/or expressing your excitement for pursuing a career with their company
- Follow-up on any next steps that were discussed during the event (send a LinkedIn request, forward a resume, send availability to schedule job shadow or interview, apply online, etc)