Solicit Your Contacts Assistance
- When contacting someone you don't know, be professional, explain your purpose, and respect their schedule. Always get permission to use a person's name and contact info if you wish to have them assist you in your job search.
- Give contacts a copy of your resume and explain the type of career you are seeking. The better they understand your interests and goals, the more effectively they can assist you.
- Never ask a contact for a job. Instead of asking “Can you get me a job at your law firm?”, ask: “Do you know of any openings at your firm?” Many organizations have employee referral programs and tap their own staff to help them find new hires.
- Don't ask inappropriate personal questions. This is a professional interaction and the impression you leave will determine how hard that contact will work on your behalf.
- If you schedule an informational interview, be sure to dress professionally and prepare questions to ask during the interview.
- Nurture relationships through periodic contact, saying "thank you", and letting your contacts know the results of your job search.