Before Conversation/Meeting
Understand the Alumni’s background
- Search the Alumni on LinkedIn | Alumni Fire | Company websites
- Understand their general career focus
Prepare a list of what you want to cover during the meeting
- Career Paths, skills needed, success factors, daily routines, etc.
- Ensure that your questions are scripted to give you what YOU want out of the meeting
- Avoid all general questions (e.g., how do you like your job?”) that may add little value to the conversation
- Send a very short message 2-3 days in advance of your meeting
- Cover who you are (see below) and what you want to cover at the meeting (see above)
- Include your resume, LinkedIn link, or Alumni fire profile link
During Conversation/Meeting
- Make a strong, but not scripted introduction:who you are, what you’ve been up to at Dickinson, and where you think (or know) you’d like to pursue a career. (be prepared to discuss the skills, interests, and knowledge that you'd like to be a part of your interests/career)
- Frame up the Conversation to get advice about your job search, information about their field, or suggestions about how to translate your skills into their sector (from pre-read email)
- Hit your questions: Listen carefully to the responses to your questions. Show your understanding and ask logical follow-up questions, even if they were not previously on your list.
- Build the Network: Towards the end of your session, be sure to ask for suggestions about other individuals in the alumni’s network with whom you should consult or other steps you should take to advance your search
After the Conversation
Send a thank you.
- Be sure to send a follow-up thank you as soon as possible after your meeting
- Mention any steps you'll be taking based on their advice
- If they have suggested a particular job opening, company or contact, thank them with specific reference to your next steps.
- If they offered actions that they will take after the meeting, summarize that and ask for time for a follow-up
Understand that you own follow-up
- If there is follow-up, recognize that the Alumni is busy, and you may not hear from them immediately
- Follow up 1x week until you receive a response. (Booking time is more effective than sending repeated email messages.)
Keep the Alumni updated
- If you land a job, send a quick message to those with whom you networked to let them know!
- Connect via LinkedIn to those Alumni that have relevance to you in your pursuit and career. Do not connect to everyone with whom you meet.
Pay it forward
- Be sure to keep your door open to students who will be right behind you!