Advanced Networking How-To Guide

Reaching Out Beyond Amherst

As you build your network and your confidence making connections, extend your outreach to broader professional communities.

  • Brainstorm people in your existing network who can introduce you to professionals working in your areas of interest. This might include friends, family, previous supervisors, professors, former teachers, mentors, neighbors, alumni from your high school, etc…
  • Create a LinkedIn profile and start connecting with people in your existing network. Check out their tips for a strong profile. The Loeb Center’s new platform Big Interview also has a great 12 minute video on LinkedIn basics under the Job Search Curriculum section.
  • Participate in virtual content with thought leaders in your interest area and/or engage with leaders via Twitter & LinkedIn. Listen and read closely before joining the conversation and make sure your own online presence is on-point!
  • Apply what you’ve learned about an industry to identify people and organizations you want to connect with. Follow them on social media or email them directly to set up an Informational Interview.
  • Outreach should always be specific to a particular person, their work, and/or their organization. This specificity also extends to how you contact someone. You should attempt to contact someone directly over email, be introduced to them over email by someone else, or contact them through a professional network like LinkedIn. If you’re having difficulty finding someone’s email address, search their name + the organization name + .com/.org/.edu to find their contact information, or at least be able to see how an organization formats employee emails, like firstnamelastname@organization.com. You can also try email finder services like Rocket Reach and Hunter for limited, free information, though it is not always accurate.

Everyone needs mentorship and support so professionals expect that people just coming into the industry will want guidance and many are eager to offer it. If you don’t hear back from some busy folks, kindly follow-up a few times and then move on.

TIP: If you have a dream organization where you have no connections, a “cold email” can’t hurt; however, you should spend the vast majority of your time reaching out to professionals that you are connected to in some way (i.e. shared alma mater, friend of a friend, acquaintance of a family member, etc…) These connections are much more likely to be meaningful and useful.  

Preparing for Your Conversation

Once you have made a connection, start thinking about what you want to ask and what you want to share about yourself. Read our How-to Guide on Informational Interviews, the formal term for an information gathering conversation with a professional. 

What to Ask

The Loeb Center’s How-to Guide for Informational Interviews will walk you through some helpful, foundational questions you might ask someone. Even more important, however, is asking your own tailored questions based on what you want to know and the experiences of that person. Spend at least 10-15 minutes learning more about the person by doing a little research via their employer website and LinkedIn profile and searching their name online to see if they are linked to any industry news.

Though you should be prepared, keep in mind that you do not need to be a subject-area expert to have a meaningful conversation with someone. One of your most valuable skills is your capacity to combine curiosity with intellectual rigor, which will come in handy during your conversations.

What to Share

The person you speak to may have some questions for you about your interests, goals, involvement at Amherst, or your experiences at the College in general. Or, they may not ask you any questions at all! Either way, be prepared to share a little about yourself. 

  • What might interest the person about your experiences?
  • What have you learned at Amherst or elsewhere that is relevant to their work?
  • What information would help them get to know you and what’s important to you quickly?
  • What is your goal for this summer or post-graduation? 

Say Thank You

It might be the most important aspect of networking: saying thank you. Expressing gratitude for people’s time and advice is essential, regardless of whether it is a one-time interaction or a relationship that will grow and develop. Whether it’s by email or by post, after a job interview or a networking call, a timely and tailored note helps to build a solid foundation for mutual respect and future interactions. Both young professionals and those who are well established are always in conversation with peers in their industry, and you never know who a great job lead or referral will come from.

As a current student, when you connect with Amherst alumni or prospective employers you become an ambassador of sorts. Through your connections, you help keep alumni and prospective employers tuned into the campus experience and the contemporary concerns and aspirations of current students. Consider that an unprofessional experience with you could be a disincentive to connecting with students in the future. 

If the conversation went differently than you had anticipated–if it confused you, was awkward, or was inappropriate–reach out to someone you trust, like a Loeb Center advisor or mentor for advice on how to proceed.

Stay in Touch

Networking requires a long-term view. It could be an hour, a week, a year, or a decade before a professional contact has a direct impact on your employment opportunities. Some may never make that kind of impact. While many young professionals have the more immediate concern of getting a job, you’re unlikely to find success in networking if you only view it as transactional relationships. Bring your curiosity, enthusiasm, and engagement to extending the most promising professional relationships beyond your initial conversation.

  • Keep your contacts in the loop by sharing professional opportunities, updates on your current work and projects, or by sharing an article that ties into their work. 
  • Be direct about your transitions so the connections you’ve maintained can help you when the time is right. When you start the job search, send out a short newsletter to your contacts that outlines what kind of work you’re looking for (specific types of roles and organizations), where you’re looking (geographic locations), and how they can help (referrals, resources, recommendations). Attach your up-to-date resume.

TIP: Being tuned into industry news makes it easy to find ideas for topics to keep a conversation going with a professional contact.

Resources

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