Do's and Dont's When Networking

Networking/Informational Interviews

Don’ts:

• Do not ask for a job or internship (Ask for advice, information, and referrals)
• Do not spam with multiple e-mails or stalk with multiple phone calls
• Do not act unprofessionally or negatively
• Do not ask your contact to mass distribute your resume
• Do not share alumni or referral contact information with others unless they say it would be alright
• Do not use slang when writing, typing, or speaking. Use complete sentences with proper grammar.

Do’s:

• Do assess your own interests, skills, knowledge areas and personal attributes before contacting, so you can talk about them
• Do research your contact, their company, and their field
• Do decide what information you would like to obtain before you interview
• Do give a brief introduction about yourself when contacting (you are an SMSU student graduating in _____, how you found their name, why you are writing them)
• Do take notes during the interview
• Do keep the interview to the specified length
• Do send them a thank you within 24 hours
• Do keep your contact’s information for follow-up