Thanks for Giving in the professional world: Everything you need to give "Thank You" notes

I know a lot of us are feeling a mix emotions -  the excitement of having our first real break of the semester, the stress of the final few weeks of school work, and, after weeks of tragedy, heavy hearts on college campuses and beyond the US border.

So, I don't know about you, but I'm looking for a reason to be thankful. After my first few months as a blogger, I've learned that students' professional experiences, despite all the difficulties and exhaustion, offer insight and knowledge for which students are grateful.

For that reason, it's important to send thank you notes and emails (hello, digital age). Let the people you interacted and worked with know that you appreciate the time and effort they spent to help you. There are a lot of situations in your professional career where you should be saying "Thank You," and the way you say it varies, as well.

Although they're not the most professional, Jimmy Fallon
knows how to find gratitude in special places (source)

When to write thank you letters/emails

These are a several situations where a thank you note is absolutely appropriate for students:

1. After a job interview
2. After an internship
3. After a networking event
4. After an informational interview

A thank you note is a magical thing. Obviously, you want to say "thank you,"  but it can be a golden opportunity to say a whole lot more...

"Thank you!" after an interview

A thank you note is a great way to stand out after the interview process. If you *really* want to make a thoughtful impression, handwriting a thank you card on REAL PAPER shows that you wanted to take the extra step, and it allows your interviewer to remember you a few days after your interview. (WARNING: Most of us will probably need to ask our parents how to address a letter...)

In that case, you want to make sure you're covering some good stuff in your thank you note:

1. Personalize it. Make sure to address the interviewer by name. If there were multiple interviews, send multiple cards--no generic, identical messages either guys.
2. Get pumped! The interviewer wants to see that you are excited to work for the company and to be part of the team. One way to show that excitement post-interview is to highlight an aspect of the conversation/interview that you enjoyed or found interesting.
3. Be confident. Don't sound desperate at the end of your thank you letter like, "I'd really appreciate the opportunity to work with Angry Chocolates." End with something more professional and along the lines of "Looking forward to continuing the discussion and learning more about what’s in the works at Angry Chocolates." (Forbes magazine)

If you think the interview was not ideal, don't go crying about everything you did wrong over some post-interview ice cream. Relax.

Rather than telling Ben & Jerry what you wish you had said, questions you want answers to, and other aspirations, it may be--*just may be*--more productive to put those thoughts into a thank you letter. In this case, a thank you email could be more appropriate so that you can get responses to questions ASAP and the interviewer can consider any additional info you want to tell them before it's too late.

It's important to give thanks to things you neglect... (source)

Finally, a thank you email is always preferable to a thank you note by snail mail if you know that the employer will be deliberating immediately after the interview, either to determine if you'll make it to the next interview stage, or if they're making an immediate decision to extend you an offer.  So, in this case, expedite that thank you!

"Thank you!" after an internship

Whether your internship lasted a week or an entire summer, interns tend to work with a lot of different people and *hopefully* learn a lot. Interns are also prospective employees.  So ending the internship smartly and keeping in contact is a strategy that will help you in the future. Some things to keep in mind:

1. Don't just say "thank you" to the boss. If you interacted with the entire team, or if there are a few people that helped and mentored you during the internship, send them a card or an email as well. During my last internship with SeamlessDocs, I wrote cards to the CEO, the CFO - both of whom contributed to our general projects, and my immediate supervisor. However, I interacted with an entire team of employees who definitely deserved a "thank you" at least!
2. Personal delivery. If you're a person who's really bad at saying good-bye, having something to give - even if it's just a small card - helps make the situation less awkward. This way, you don't leave the office without a sound as if you're coming back the next day, but you don't need to make it a big farewell - hopefully the card says everything you need.
3. Don't cut ties. If you think that your internship tied in with your interests and you want to keep gaining experience, stay in touch with the company. One way to do this is by offering to continue helping out with smaller projects while back at school. Granted these have to be pretty small projects that you can accomplish virtually, but it's an easy way to stay in touch and maintain a small role with the company.

"Thank you!" after a networking event

Now, I've yet to try this after the networking events I've attended because I'm not confident that I made a memorable impression on the recruiter/speaker/alum at the event.  However, that's exactly how a "Thank You" letter can help! There are ways to make yourself stand out through a "Thank You" letter that will give you a boost even after the networking night.

1. Timing is key. Don't let too many days pass by without any follow-up. Networking events bring so many people together - the longer you wait, the harder it'll be for the person to remember you. (Even though I'm sure you, the reader, are unforgettable :) )
2. Stand out. Start out by mentioning a light part of the conversation that you shared. Maybe it was the fact that you grew up in the Boston area, maybe it's that you both loved a particular TV show! If you say, "I'm the student who talked with you about summer internship opportunities," you've narrowed it down to pretty much every student that person talked to...
3. Networking 2.0. In today's world, networking doesn't just mean meeting people and shaking their hand. Now, we have multiple ways to get connected whether it's LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook. Let the person know that you will be reaching out to them on these platforms, making it easy for them to connect with you in the future. 

Thank you, readers, for being awesome!! (source)

"Thank you!" after an informational interview

Whether you talk on the phone, in person, via Skype or a simple email exchange, if an alum or friend conducts an informational interview with you, you owe that person a thank you. But here's an interesting idea that accomplishes several goals: reach out a month or two after the informational interview with another thank you email.  Here's why: the immediate thank you is common courtesy for their time and effort, but when it's so quick after the interview, the alum/friend doesn't know how the advice they provided really helped you moving forward.  

So, tell them!  A couple of months after the interview, get back in touch and tell them how their advice helped you.  Maybe they suggested a website or organization to check out, or better yet, they referred you to a friend.  And maybe, one of those leads was golden.  Let them know how they helped you!  Thank them for the tip and remind them that you are still in your search and ask if anything has crossed their desk that may be of interest to you.  

That's the magic - you may be wondering how to keep in touch with someone after an informational interview without bugging them.  Reach out and let them know how useful they've been.   Give them an update on your progress.  This second thank you email will be even more rewarding for the alum/friend than your initial thank you and could prove to be beneficial to you.  Keep the conversation flowing - that's real networking.

This probably seems like a lot of information that I've thrown your way, but you should know that no matter what, simply showing thanks and displaying your appreciation towards someone goes a long way.

And of course, that applies for more than just your professional life.

Thanks for reading, and Happy Thanksgiving!

Nina Joung
Class of 2018

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Informational Interviews

Welcome back everyone! I hope you all enjoyed Winter Break! I sure did. During my break I visited Puerto Rico for a basketball tournament with Tufts Women's Basketball Team. It was amazing, but now that I'm refreshed and back in chilly Medford, I'm ready to get back into the Tufts student mentality!

"Ready for Spring Semester #nofear"

During break, though it was hard to leave the sandy beaches of Puerto Rico to do so, I followed some of Sean's advice for taking steps in my career development. As I'm currently searching for summer internship opportunities, Winter Break was the perfect time for me to network and learn more about potential positions and fields - something I didn't have lots of time for during the academic semester. While researching various opportunities I found myself scheduling more and more informational interviews. Informational interviews are incredibly important for learning about the fine details that will position you as a potential candidate. In this post I have decided to focus on the benefits of informational interviews, and how important they are in the internship search.

Informational Interview

You know what's so stress free about informational interviews? You ask the questions! Once you have scheduled an informational phone or in-person interview, your contact most likely is very interested in helping you already.  The interview not only is an advantage for you to gain insight into the company, but also can help you gain advice about entering a specific field and even an opportunity to access that person's network. Scheduling informational interviews even though there is no current job opportunity gets you in the door, i.e., you're now in a position to hear about jobs before they are posted for the rest of the world to see.

"Give them your Resume and Cover Letter!"

Preparation

Preparing for an informational interview shouldn't take that long, especially if it's a phone interview. Before the interview send an email with your current resume attached - it helps your target know more about what you've done and will allow them to gauge their answers appropriately.  Giving them more details about you will help them provide better advice and suggestions! You should plan on the interview lasting 30 minutes, but ask how much time they have to give you at the beginning of the conversation. If it's in person be sure to wear business professional attire. If it's a phone interview plan to be in a quiet area where you won't be disturbed. Usually when I have a phone informational interview I have a notebook nearby. A laptop is handy, as long as you aren't easily distracted!

Do Your Research!

Just like a normal interview it's important to learn about your target before you walk in the room or call them. Reviewing a person's LinkedIn profile is especially helpful in getting clues about their career path, and you'll know how to cater your questions. At first I thought it was odd to look at someone's LinkedIn profile before meeting, but researching a person demonstrates interest and reveals your preparation and work ethic. It's vital, just like any other interview, to make a great impression. According to Forbes it takes 7 seconds for a person to judge you, so make sure you're on your A game!

Brainstorm Questions

Feel free to ask questions about the person's career path, their interests, and even what did they did in college to discover which fields they liked and didn't like. Don't be afraid to ask tough questions. Asking critical questions about the person's workplace, their least favorite part of the job, and the biggest challenges shows that you are seriously interested in learning everything about the work environment. Not only does this reflect well on the type of job seeker you are, but also gives you vital insight that you can use to your advantage. However, be sure to keep your questions professional! Here is Quint Career's list of informational interview questions.

"Saying Thank You goes a long way!"
Source

After the Interview

You already know what I'm going to say. Follow-up!!! Send a short thank you note, and update the person on your career search from time to time. Let them know how valuable their suggestions and advice were to you in your career search and development. Not only is it practicing proper business etiquette but it also keeps you in contact with that person and their network. Keeping your network active and updated with your current search could help you when a job does open. Also, if you aren't already connected on LinkedIn, extend an invite after the interview! This will also serve to notify them about your career development as you update your profile.

Well, I hope that you are ready for a new spring semester at Tufts! Hopefully these tips will encourage you to conduct informational interviews to aid in your job and internship search. If you need advice about informational interviews and/or you would like to role play, feel free to  schedule an appointment with a career advisor. Let's bring in the New Year strong!

Carpe Diem,

Nicole Brooks

Class of 2016

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Be Prepared: Winter Break Tips (for Seniors)

Happy Wednesday, readers!

As you can guess from the title of this blog post, today's topic is the mysterious world of job interviews [insert fearful shrieks from the entire Class of 2015, myself included]. Whenever I talk to people my age about job interviews, one theme is always present -- feelings of anxiety and confusion.

Me right now. Just taking another opportunity to compare myself to Hermione.
Source

Most of my peers have difficulty figuring out how to prepare for an interview and what they should do/wear/ask/etc. It can be daunting, especially when you're a senior who feels like everyone is on their way to securing a job but you.

Yeah, I just threw a Coldplay reference at you. It works, admit it.
Source

Since I've (finally) decided that I'm taking time off before law school, finding something to do for the next year or two is my top priority. Interviews are part of that process. Even though I've interviewed for jobs before (including this job at the Career Center), it's still a real challenge. Thankfully, I've accumulated a fair number of tips that I will now share with you.

INTERVIEW TIPS & TRICKS

Use the (little) free time you have to RESEARCH. Since this blog post will be published before Winter Break, I'll use this opportunity to remind seniors that this month can be used to get yourselves together. Over break you can compile a list of employers you're interested in and commit time to researching each of them. Look at each company's website and find out any information that could help you during an interview. You should know the basics of the company, who is in charge, and things like recent projects. Expressing interest in what the company is currently working on will definitely impress an employer.

An interview shouldn't be a mystery. A lot of people my age go into interviews thinking that they're not allowed to ask questions. This just isn't the case. If you're going into an interview, you have the right to know what you should be prepared for. Don't be afraid to ask what kind of interview it will be (group, skype, phone, one-on-one, etc.), who will be interviewing you, or any other questions you might have. This is especially important if the interview will be non-traditional, like a virtual interview. Asking questions won't make you look incompetent - if anything, it will show just how interested in the job you are.

Prepare stories that you can tell during the interview. At their core, interviews are meant to demonstrate how you'll act on the job. Often, you'll be asked to do something like "describe a time you overcame a challenge" or "talk about a time you worked with a team". Questions like these are inviting you to tell a story about your past work. Coming up with a narrative on the spot can be really difficult, so it's a great idea to have stories in mind before the interview. Come up with 5 or 10 stories that demonstrate your skills, work ethic, professional skills, and anything else you think an employer might want to know. It might even help to look at the job description and match up stories with the different skills the employer listed. Remember, a good story can make you stand out in a sea of applicants.

Don't leave your personality at the door - SMILE! Something I really struggle with during interviews is loosening up and acting like myself. Being professional during an interview is vital, but that doesn't mean you should transform into an emotionless robot. Interviewers are people, just like you, and they want to get to know you on a personal level as well as a professional one. If you were the one hiring, wouldn't you look for people who were pleasant to be around? When I did a mock interview during the Job Search Boot Camp, career advisor Chris Di Fronzo said that one of the biggest mistakes people make during interviews is forgetting to smile. Smiling not only makes you look more friendly, it can also show that you actually want the job and are excited about it!

This is where mock interviews at the Career Center come in. You can practice telling your stories and acting like a living human at the same time (which is harder than you'd think for some). FYI: the Career Center is still open over Winter Break, so take advantage if you're around!

Just don't pull a Robin and you'll be fine!
Source

These are only some of the things you can do during Winter Break to get yourself on track to acing interviews in the spring. I'd also suggest organizing your job search, fixing up your LinkedIn, and doing some informational interviews if you can. You have a whole month with no schoolwork, so use that time wisely!

Be prepared!
Source

Of course, don't forget to treat yourself to an actual break too. You deserve it.

Signing off,

Kelly Vieira
Class of 2015

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Interviewing: "May the Force Be With You"

So a company wants to interview you? How do you seal the deal with a killer interview performance?  No pressure right? 

I've decided to write a post noting some tips for interviews and some wacky questions that illustrate recruiters trying to keep candidates on their toes. The best case scenario is when an interview turns into a conversation.

"We got this, we're gladiators!"

Conduct Research

Walking into an interview unprepared is one of the worst things you can possibly do. Here is The Huffington Post's mashup of Most Disastrous Job Interviews in films showing what NOT do in interviews. In an interview you want to demonstrate your interest in the company and showcase why you would be an asset. Trying to "wing it" won't work.  Recruiters do not like disorganized answers and will assume you didn't prepare, which will lead them to believe you aren't that interested.  Demonstrating what you know about a company, beyond the front page of the website, and why you want to work there will reveal your preparation skills and your work ethic. Remember "Failure to prepare is preparing to fail"!

Mock Interviews
The Career Center offers mock interviews with career advisors and, occasionally, with employers to help improve your interviewing skills. There is also the option to have your interview recorded on video, so that you can review your performance and observe your body language throughout the process. Dr. Albert Mehrabin, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, UCLA, studies nonverbal communication, and his work shows that 55% of communication is nonverbal. Making sure that your nonverbal communication is in tune with your verbal is especially important. According to the Quintessential Career Blog smiling not only helps you feel better, but also engages the interviewer and keeps the conversation flowing. So, show off those pearly whites! 

Behavioral Questions
Today, one of the most challenging types of interview questions is the behavioral question. A behavioral question asks the applicant to describe a past event in order to predict how the employer will behave in a similar situation in their organization. These questions are increasing in multitude in interviews today because interviewers theorize they are one of the most accurate indicators of future performance. This style is expected to demonstrate how you manage challenges, awkward situations, and stress. The best way to prepare for these questions is to brainstorm concrete examples employers seek prior to the interview. The Tufts Career Center S.T.A.R model is very useful in helping students master behavioral interviewing. Breaking down stories into Situation, Task, Action, and Results helps to generate a framework for telling the story, as well as focusing on the "big picture" that will create a positive impression on the interviewer.

Tip:
Don't bring your Stepbrother to the Interview

• Q: Describe a situation when you needed to complete a goal in a short amount of time
• A: Employers are looking for how you prepare and the steps you took to accomplish the goal within a tight time frame. Emphasize working under pressure and making decisions quickly.
• Q: Tell me about a time when you made a mistake 
• A: Admitting that you've done something wrong is the first step towards self-critique and learning. Demonstrating that you are able to learn from your mistakes will be perceived as an asset, particularly when you are able to learn quickly and fix the problem.

Quirky Questions and Brainteasers

A main source of anxiety in interviews is the question that you aren't prepared for. Companies are now looking towards making their interviews more unique by including brainteasers and quirky questions to evaluate quick thinking. This past summer when I was an intern at New York Life Insurance, the Human Resource department organized a Career event which included a seminar on interviewing by recruiter Patrick Connolly. Here are two examples that he used to demonstrate what recruiters were looking for when they ask certain questions in interviews:

• Q: "Sell me this pen"
• This is a classic sales role-playing question, that even popped up in Martin Scorsese's Wolf of Wall Street movie.
• Connolly revealed that this question stumped him in some of his first interviews, but what he learned from it was to expect the unexpected.
• Here is great advice from TheRecruitmentGuy on giving a sophisticated answer which demonstrates creativity and quick thinking.
• Q: How do you make a grilled cheese sandwich?



"I hear Fabio makes a great grilled cheese"

• Being detail-oriented is something companies are looking for and are tapping into in this answer.
• Connolly suggested that the detail is the most important thing in this answer. For example, if you use butter on the bread, what type of butter is it - flavored, fresh, salted? What type of cheese do you use?
• The possibilities are endless, but feel free to embellish with questions like these, as they demonstrate your creativity.

Practice Practice Practice!
The most important part of interview preparation is verbal practice! Regardless of how much research you've done, if you have not practiced out loud, you could easily lose track of your thinking. Practicing with a career advisor or a friend, and leveraging the recording apps on your phone will increase your chances of a great interview. Even though you've done the research, without the vital amount of time reciting answers out loud you could find yourself forgetting how to answer even the most basic questions.

Source

Remember to channel your inner-Yoda through storytelling and practice. Interviews provide a great opportunity to bring your application and resume to life in the eyes of a recruiter. May the force be with you my friends!

Carpe Diem,
Nicole Brooks
Class of 2016

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Avoid wasting time in the interview process: Part 2 of Prof. Jack Derby's advice on the job search

MOVING THROUGH THE INTERVIEW PROCESS 

The first interview 

As I’m sure you know, first impressions are critical. Jack Derby echoes many job search experts who strongly encourage you to research the company and position, and he explains why. Don’t waste time in your interview walking through your resume step by step - they’ve already seen that. Instead, point out 2 - 3 critical items and focus on your value and what you can do for the company (and this is why you need to conduct that research!). Take notes and ask questions to show that you’re interested.

Follow up after interview

Keep showing your value and your interest. Even after the interview, it’s critical to show that you’re interested. Jack told us a story about one of his students who was applying for a job at a company where he had connections. She did calligraphy as a hobby, and she thought it would be great to send them a beautiful hand-written thank you note. But she didn’t get the job, and when Jack asked why, he was told that they hadn’t received a follow up from her, so they gave the job to someone who seemed to want it more.

Moral of the story, follow ups are important. Don’t send a boring and awkwardly short email that just says “thanks for your time, hope to hear from you!”  But, if you're going to invest time in making your follow up high quality, keep in mind that you need to expedite this correspondence.  The purpose of the follow up is two-fold: to thank them for the interview and the time they spent with you, and to get to reiterate your interest in the job while they're deliberating over finalists.

What's a high quality follow up?  Make your thank you more than a pointless formality - take the opportunity to expand on something mentioned during the interview (for example, link to a blog post you wrote or an article about something you talked about). And keep following up even after the initial “thank you” email - it shows that you really care about this position. People are often concerned about being annoying. Avoid poking them every day to ask if they’ve made a decision, and instead provide something of value without asking for anything in return: Send an article you think they’ll appreciate (shows you’re paying attention to the industry). Even better, do some work for them! No better way to show how you can help than by giving them some suggested solutions for a problem they’re facing. More on how to not be annoying in a follow up and how sample work makes you stick out from other follow ups from career site The Muse.

The offer 

Know what you want in case you get an offer. Negotiation is good because it shows you’ll stick up for yourself, meaning that you’ll also bargain on behalf of the company.  But also, as entry level workers, we don’t have a lot of leverage, and you don’t want to sound arrogant. Know the typical salary range for that position so that you can tell whether you’re getting what you deserve. Look up the position on Glassdoor to see the average salary range for someone with your background and skills. Also, figure out the cost of living for the job location. You might think that job in NYC pays well but once you account for how much it costs to live in the city, the offer actually isn’t ahead of the others. Jack encourages students to figure out what matters to them throughout the whole job search process which includes prioritizing in your salary negotiations.

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What NOT To Do During An Interview

It’s that time of year when students apply for internships, recent graduates look for their first jobs and others make moves to take the next steps in their careers. While a great resume and cover letter can help get you in the door, once you’re in, giving a good interview is vital to securing a job offer. Interviewers not only want to know if you can do the job, but they also want to know what else you bring to the table… they want to know your real value and potential contributions (based on skills and experience). They also want to get a sense of your personality and what type of person you are, and determine if you’d be a good fit for their department/organization/corporate culture.

Even if you do everything right leading up to an interview, when it comes to game time - the actual interview - there are things you can do that will effectively shoot yourself in the foot, negatively affect the interview and potentially take you out the consideration set for the position you’re seeking. These things are completely avoidable!

Here are 10 key things you should avoid to ensure that you have a strong interview.

DON’T:

• … go into an interview without researching the company/industry and if possible, identifying competitors - it shows that you’re prepared and interested. And the information you find might also be helpful during the interview (e.g. you might want to know that the organization just announced a merger or just made a major strategic announcement and you can ask how it would affect the position or the department).
• … just glance at the job description because you think you’re a shoo-in. Read it thoroughly and try to understand specifically what the organization is looking for so you can prepare questions in advance about the position (and questions are always seen in a positive light by interviewers!).
• … be stiff, unenthusiastic or appear disinterested… even if you realize that the job is not right for you because then you leave the interviewer with a negative impression and you never know if they can be helpful in the future. But, on the flip side, avoid being overeager or artificially enthusiastic (interviewers can see through that).
• … forget to practice your answers to the following: why are you a good fit for the position? why do you want to work here? what are your strengths/weaknesses? tell me about yourself… these are not the best or most insightful interview questions, but they are frequently asked by interviewers.
• … wait until the last minute to decide what to wear and then find out your blouse is quite wrinkled or there is a spot on your tie. Plan your outfit the night before - there’s no need to create unnecessary stress as you’re preparing for an interview especially because you’ll likely be a little nervous/stressed already.
• … decide before you leave the house to look up directions to the interview. If you don’t leave enough time to plan your route, you can potentially be late to the interview (a golden no-no) by getting lost or realizing that it will take twice as long than anticipated to get there.
• … arrive too early for an interview. If you’re more than 15 minutes early, you risk annoying the interviewer because he/she might be in the middle of something, but now feels rushed because he/she knows you’re there waiting.
• … wear bangle or jingly bracelets or strong perfume/cologne – these can instantly annoy an interviewer and cause an unnecessary negative impression.
• … keep your phone in eyesight AT ALL (even if the ringer is on silent). It’s a distraction and gives the impression that there’s something more important to you than the interview (and it can also be seen as rude behavior, even though looking at your phone while talking to someone is “normal” in your daily life). In addition, an interviewer can easily tell if you’re glancing at your phone, even if you think you’re being very subtle.
• … forget to ask about follow up -  what is the timeframe for a decision, with whom should you follow up etc.

Alyssa Gelbard

J’92

President, Resume Strategists

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LinkedIn: Your New Favorite Networking Tool

By now, you've at least heard about LinkedIn, the largest online professional networking site... And perhaps you've already made a LinkedIn profile to market your skills and make you look really good when people Google-search your name-- great!

...But now what? Now that you've created your LinkedIn profile, what are the best ways to use it?

You'll be happy to learn-- LinkedIn is far more than just a marketing tool: It's also a networking and research tool that really can, through harvesting valuable connections and focusing your job search, help you get hired.

Here's HOW:

Make *Meaningful* Connections
You always want to connect with people you know (otherwise it's a little creepy [just a little]), so maybe start with your family and friends! Best practice is to delete the "I'd like to add you to my professional network," and replace it with a personal message about how you know your connection, including their name and the words "thank you." LinkedIn is not like Twitter, where it's socially acceptable to follow anyone, or like Facebook where you can friend everyone you met once and their dog (if ONLY puppies had social networking sites!). With LinkedIn you need to be both professional and personable--so channel that deep-seated anxiety you have about your Twitter and Facebook profiles possibly preventing you from getting a job into the idea that maybe LinkedIn will!

Research Companies

There's a "Search Companies" function on LinkedIn where you can search companies by size, location, industry, or keyword. This is great for narrowing your job search or researching a company you're applying to. LinkedIn also shows you if there's anyone in your network employed at the organization. 

Prepare for Interviews

Before an interview, you should definitely look over the company's LinkedIn Page, as well as your interviewer's profile. Pay close attention to the company's values and culture, as well as the skills and job functions utilized by its employees. Think about way you have exhibited the same traits and used the same skills.

Join Tufts Groups
There are over 100 Tufts groups on LinkedIn--many of which are career-specific--so join as many Tufts groups as you find intriguing. Looking for a good place to start? The two largest Tufts groups on LinkedIn: Tufts University Professional Network and Tufts University Alumni are must-joins.

Gather Networking Contacts 

In Your Groups

Search your groups for potential networking contacts. Anyone doing anything you'd like to be doing? Anyone working for a company you'd like to work for? 

Using the "Find Alumni" Tool

Under the "Network" tab, LinkedIn has this AWESOME "Find Alumni" tool that can help you search your alma mater's alumni (THOUSANDS OF JUMBOS!) by keyword, company, location, major, activity, or field! Look for people whose career path is relevant to your interests, and then...

Network with Contacts!

Even if you're not connected, LinkedIn allows group members to message each other. So no need to pay money for InMail--Just search a contact's name in the group to send them a message... But not just any message:

THE INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW

This is essentially the meat (or tofu, if you're vegetarian) of LinkedIn networking. This is what you need to do to get you a job. I strongly suggest reading through this link, especially page 4 on Informational Interviews. In the meantime, here is a sample LinkedIn message:

Subject line: Tufts IR major seeking career advice 

Dear Mr./Ms. (Last Name),

I’m a senior IR major at Tufts and I found your name 

through the Tufts International Relations Program group 

on LinkedIn. From your LinkedIn profile, I see that you’ve 

worked at a variety of NGOs, most recently in Syria.

As I’ve focused my own studies on the Middle East, 

including time spent studying abroad in Cairo, I’d like to 

return to the region after college. I’d love to hear about 

your own experiences living and working in the region, as 

well as any advice you might have for me as I begin an 

international job search.

I wonder if you might have 20 minutes to speak, at your 

convenience, on the phone or via Skype. Thank you for 

considering my request.

Sincerely,

Your Name

Tufts University, Class of XXXX

Perfecting Your Profile
Before you begin using LinkedIn to network, you'll want to make sure your profile says everything you want it to say and is ready to go! Here are some of my favorite Career Center tips:

• Fill in your experience; don't be shy. Your resume should only be one page, so here is the place to show off what you've accomplished in detail. Use targeted keywords and don't forget about any projects, organizations, volunteer work, and causes you've been involved with.
• Update your headline. "Graduating Economics major seeking financial analyst position"--be direct and simple, but also engaging and meaningful.
• Upload a professional photo. You wouldn't trust someone without a profile photo--Adding a face to your profile breeds familiarity, which breeds trust, which is essential to networking.
• Tell your story. The section that says "Summary" is where you can write about what you do and why--or what you'd like to do and why! Write your summary in first person to add a voice to your profile, include targeted words, and keep it career-oriented.
• Market your skills. Give yourself credit for your areas of expertise-- What languages do you speak? Which computer programs or websites can you use proficiently? Are there any skills that you picked up while working in the lab?
• Pick a location and industry--any location and industry! It doesn't have to be "Higher Education in the Greater Boston Area" just because we're Tufts students on the Medford campus. Gives some thought to where you want to be.
• Include all of your links. Have a blog or Twitter that you're looking to show off to a potential employer? Link away! You can also link from your blog/Twitter to your LinkedIn.
• Don't forget to proofread. Because your skills should never be upstaged by the wrong "your" or "there." Because you care.
• Personalize your URL. So that when you include your LinkedIn address on your resume and emails, you won't have to remember: LinkedIn.com/abcdefg983745905820917452334.
• Publicize your profile! Your LinkedIn is one of the few things about you on the internet that you want everyone to see. That being said, it's best to update your privacy settings so you are in fact visible to "everyone."

If you found these tips helpful and want to learn more, call the Tufts Career Center at (617) 627-3299 to pre-register for our next LinkedIn Lab on Wednesday, October 23rd, 12-1pm in Eaton 208.

Until next time,
Best regards,
Nirvanna

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Why Networking is Not Just Asking for Stuff

By Angela Sun

Networking. Of all the ambiguities of internship and job hunting, networking probably takes the cake.

The Career Center's guide to networking is a wonderful overview of the ABCs of networking, and a great place to start for delving into the practice.
But after studying the basics, you may still have some questions, or be wondering why you don't seem to be as successful as you had hoped to be. This post will help you reflect on the purpose of your personal journey in developing a professional network, which should provide some guidance about how to network.

Before writing this post, I asked around to see what questions students had about networking. The key feedback I received was uncertainty about how to ask for things without seeming like you're asking for things.

So very first, the secret to growing a sustainable and substantial network is that it's not just about asking for things! Getting a reference, feedback on your resume, or even low-and-behold--a job offer immediately, is not always the best, or even right thing to have in mind when networking. 

Am I Networking for the Right Reasons?

Despite having found the contact through an electronic database, and potentially exchanged all conversation via email, at the end of the day, there sits two persons behind the computer monitors. Engaging with contacts in a professional network is in many ways similar to connecting with friends and family. One size does not fit all.  Personality, preference, and schedules will dictate how they prefer to communicate.  So consider taking the conversation off-line.

There is still an element of 'unnaturalness' to cold-emailing a stranger, or making a relationship out of a career fair speed date, but acknowledge the human aspect of networking by considering where the other person is coming from.

What does your contact do? How much time does he/ she have to communicate with me? Why would he/ she want to help me? What can I offer him/ her?

Thinking through these questions will help you manage expectations, which should be a range--rather than one item. It is for the most part impossible to know where a conversation with a contact might lead you. Here are just some of the items you could get out of networking:
- Informational interview (range in length and format)
    - Insight into their job
    - Advice for your next steps
- Recommendation/ someone willing to "vouch" for you
- Referral to someone else in the target company
- Internship/ job (information about a job, an offer for an interview).

Think realistically about your contact's position and which items would be appropriate to anticipate. A Human Resources Recruiter is in a position to offer you an interview, whereas a consulting firm employee might not be. Targeting the appropriate expectations will help you avoid asking for too much and putting the contact in an uncomfortable position.

On that note, it is usually not appropriate to ask a contact to look over your resume. They could offer to do this, but refrain from asking. Set-up an appointment with the Career Center for a resume critique, so that you're bringing an already polished resume to the table.

Also recognize that there is no hard-and-fast rule for the timing of networking. Just because you are interested in accounting, doesn't mean if you meet a news producer at an event, you shouldn't follow-up with a thank you note and add them on Linkedin. One of the most common remarks I heard from panelists at the Harvard Women in Business Conference was that your interests will probably change. You never know who could be relevant when.

The human component also means people are busy. Sometimes it's hardest to get a response from senior executives or higher ups in a given company. A contact might offer to help you with something, and then fall through on doing so. You might never hear back from someone--for no real reason. It is important to be mentally prepared and maximize your chances by reaching out to many people, but also establishing a compelling and specific argument for why they should respond to you.

One effective networking technique is to start with your immediate circle. Linkedin is a great resource for this because it tells you if you have a 2nd connection with someone. That way you can ask your 1st degree friend/ contact to refer you to your target contact. Give the same dedication to Linkedin as you do to Facebook, as the more 'connections' you have, the better your chances are at knowing if you have a mutual contact. The Tufts Career Advisory Network also provides you with a good starting point as it is full of alumni wanting to help out fellow jumbos. 

Networking is an exercise in strategically managing relationships. You may find your professional 'lunch buddies', 'study buddies', 'mentors' and so on. Being flexible and intentional will help you network for the long term. Your career begins rather than ends with your first job offer. Taking the time to get to see through the lens of the person you are networking with, and making the effort to stay in touch with holiday greetings, emails, or sending articles along from time to time will go a long way.


Am I Networking in the Right Ways?

So you can already see some of the ways in which a changing perspective on networking affects how to network.

A great tip I learned is to start of with a compliment, what's more revealing about the human component of networking than that? You can't compliment an online job portal and hope it'll bump your resume to the front!

As college students, we might not have the same things to offer a contact. But every relationship goes two ways, and recognize what you do have to offer. Sometimes, it could be as simple as a show of appreciation for someone's dedication to their industry. This could be the best boost for them at the end of a 10 hour cubicle shift!

But we're also bright, educated, hardworking students who happen to be masters of communication. So sell yourself a little in your early correspondence. Explain what your skills are and what experiences you already have relating to the industry/ position. This will help a contact understand why you are reaching out to them. What else? You might be in a position to offer publicity about their initiative, especially if they are trying to reach out to a college audience--offer to spread the word.

And effective communication means being specific about what you are seeking. One pitfall is sending an email that says, "I would like more information about xyz position/ company." Your contacts likely don't have the time to send you 'information', but they might have time to answer your questions about specific requirements, recruiting time lines, or a typical job description. The Linkedin page of the contact is usually a great source for inspiration for questions.

Different communication portals also have their strengths and weaknesses. Face-to-face meetings are always best because they allow you to make an impression on someone, and to adapt to their nonverbal cues. However, this might be unrealistic for contacts who are extremely busy, and might prefer phone or email. Phone offers the opportunity to change questions depending on the answers, while it is difficult to have the same fluid, two-way conversation via email. It is also usually more work for the person answering the email to type out all the answers. However, a contact may still prefer email because it allows him/ her to answer on their own time. So take all these things into consideration when you set-up an informational interview.

Some ambiguities of networking will still be ambiguous. This may sound daunting, but feel empowered that you already have plenty of experience under your belt. Everyday, we manage a complex web of relationships, reading people, adapting our communication styles to their personalities...without even thinking about it! With a little practice and critical evaluation, many of these skills can easily be applied to networking.

With practice, networking will become clearer and even comfortable.  I strongly recommend working alongside a career center counselor through the process.The counselors are incredibly knowledgeable and patient, and great people to connect with professionally...sound familiar?

Please interact with us on Facebook/ Twitter @Tuftscareer. We would love to hear your blog post suggestions!

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