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Networking Templates
Networking plays an integral role in conducting industry research as well as tapping “hidden” and
unadvertised internship/job openings. Before you reach out to people, you should think about how to
loosely identify your top interests yet also convey an openness to new ideas. LinkedIn offers a wealth of
information about fields of work, companies/organizations, affinity and professional organizations, and
people to assist in your research.
Here are a few key points to keep in mind before you even begin networking:
Mind your manners: employ proper etiquette (i.e., use appropriate salutations such as “Dear Ms. Jones”,
proofread everything several times, respond in a timely manner – within 24 hours, always follow up with
a note of thanks)
Be subtle: reach out for information/advice rather than send a resume and inquire about jobs or
internships
Be professional: explore web sites of industry-specific professional organizations as well as company web
sites to become familiar with key words and concepts; well-prepared and knowledgeable job-seekers are
much more likely to garner support in the networking process
Pull back the curtain: don’t pass up an opportunity to network with someone who has different interests;
you would be surprised at how far networks can reach
Manage your online footprint: is your online presence squeaky clean when you Google yourself?
Be organized: create customized tracking documents to manage important dates and details
Keep in touch: maintain contact as appropriate, and always continue to expand networks through
referrals
If in doubt: ask for help from a career counselor or career development fellow
It does get easier: the first few emails are always a challenge, but the process does feel more natural with
time and experience!
At times it can be a challenge to find
the appropriate words to use when
connecting with various people during
an internship/job search. Though each
networking situation requires a
tailored message, the examples on the
following pages may serve as ideas for
starting points.