knowledge/03_networking_tips.md

# Networking tips for undergraduates

![Networking map](/career-sources/networking-map.png)

## Mindset

Networking is **relationship-building and learning**, not “ask a stranger for a job in the first message.” University career centers consistently coach students to ask for **advice and stories**, then earn referrals over time.

## Highest-leverage tactics

### 1) Use your school’s LinkedIn Alumni tool

- Open your university’s LinkedIn school page → **Alumni** tab.
- Filter by company, role, location, major, or skills.
- Prioritize people 1–2 steps ahead of you (recent grads, junior ICs, recruiters).

Guides:
- [UCLA — How to Use LinkedIn’s Alumni Tool](https://career.ucla.edu/blog/2024/08/08/how-to-use-linkedins-alumni-tool-for-networking/)
- [UConn — Using LinkedIn](https://career.uconn.edu/using-linkedin/)
- [Dartmouth — LinkedIn Resource Guide](https://careerdesign.dartmouth.edu/resources/linkedin-resource-guide/)

### 2) Personalize every connection request

Keep it short:

> Hi [Name] — I’m a [year] at [School] studying [major]. I saw you went from [School] to [Company/Role]. I’d love to hear how you made that jump — open to a 15-minute chat?

Do **not** lead with “Can you get me a referral?”

### 3) Ask for informational interviews

- 15–20 minutes, student asks questions, professional shares path.
- Prepare 5 questions (day-to-day work, skills that mattered, what they’d do as a junior now).
- Send a thank-you within 24 hours with one specific takeaway.

Guides:
- [WashU — Connect with alumni / informational interviews](https://careers.washu.edu/connect-with-alumni-for-an-informational-interview/)
- [Bucknell — Network on LinkedIn like a pro](https://careercenter.bucknell.edu/blog/2025/01/13/how-to-network-on-linkedin-like-a-pro/)

### 4) Career fairs & info sessions

- Research 5 employers before the fair.
- 30-second intro: year, major, what you’re exploring, one relevant proof point.
- Collect next steps (apply link, recruiter name, deadline).
- Follow up the same day.

### 5) Warm network first

Start with people who already know your work: TAs, professors, club leads, supervisors, classmates now interning.

## Weekly networking cadence (realistic)

| Day | Action |
|-----|--------|
| Mon | Update LinkedIn headline + about (1 pass) |
| Tue | 3 alumni searches; save 5 profiles |
| Wed | Send 2 personalized notes |
| Thu | Prep questions for any scheduled chat |
| Fri | Thank-yous + log contacts in your tracker |

## Guardrails

- Never invent alumni relationships or “I know someone at X.”
- Respect “no” and don’t spam the same person.
- Keep records (name, company, date, next action).