Guide to Effective &

Authentic Networking
What Exactly Is Networking?
Networking is the activity of connecting with others to gather and share information.
For some, the prospect of networking can elicit feelings of discomfort or concern about feeling fake. As long as you focus
on it being a process of curious exploration, those feelings can be replaced with excitement to build your professional
community.

Networking is a two-way street. Networking is NOT asking for a job.

You may initially feel like you are asking most of the When connecting with someone, remember that the
questions to another person, as opposed to an even goal should not be to ask for an internship or job.
exchange. While this may be true in many cases, keep Instead, always interact with others through a relational
in mind that your ideas and experiences, both now and — NOT a transactional — approach. Seek to learn and
in the future, may also be interesting to your contacts. gain advice from others; you never know where it may
People with whom you network might be interested lead.
in hearing about your research or projects related to
their line of work, updates on life at Princeton as a
student nowadays (if they are an alum), etc.

Networking happens across cultures.

Before connecting with individuals from different

cultural backgrounds, be sure to research and
observe cultural norms surrounding networking.
Communications that seem polite in one culture may
be considered strange or rude in another. If you find
that certain norms are very different from how you Since nearly 70 percent of individuals are hired by
typically operate, find a partner with whom you can companies where they have a personal or professional
practice and hone your style. connection (according to LinkedIn), networking is
a critical aspect of the career exploration process.
Beyond making personal connections with others in
careers of interest to you, networking allows you to
gain insight into many aspects of work, including:
• Trends within fields
• Personal career journeys

“
(such as someone’s post-college transition)
• Insights into organizations or companies
(like workplace culture)
• Job search resources and interview practices
The currency of real • Strategies for achieving your goals and
networking is not roadblocks/hurdles to consider

greed but generosity. Networking conversations can also open your eyes
to career fields and jobs that you may not have
-Keith Ferrazzi, author, entrepreneur
considered. Approaching each conversation with both
curiosity and an open mind will allow you to connect
with others in an authentic and meaningful way.

Guide to Effective & Authentic Networking 2020 2

 Work Your Network
PHASE 1: LAY THE GROUNDWORK

Know your “why” Figure out your “who”

Start by clarifying your goals and objectives for Whether or not you realize it, you already have a
wanting to connect with others. There could be many network. Networks do not just consist of high-powered
reasons you may want to start networking, including: people, like CEOs or executive directors. Rather,
• You are curious about exploring careers beyond networks consist of people we know, people they
those that are already familiar to you. know and people we make an intentional effort to get
• You are considering summer internship to know.
opportunities and wonder which might be the
best fit for you. Start by taking an inventory of your network. In the
• You are very interested in a specific career and chart below, list individuals or organizations with
would like an insider’s perspective to determine if whom you would like to connect and learn more about
your understanding of the work is accurate. work that interests you.
• You have decided upon a specific location after
graduation and want to better understand how to
find opportunities in that area.
• You are preparing for an interview in a certain
career field and want to gain insight and advice
from someone who’s been through the same
interview process before.

Relationship People you know Contacts you would like to

Talking with these people about their make
career journeys can help strengthen These can be as particular as an individual
existing connections. you would like to connect with, or as general
as someone in a specific role or organization
that interests you (e.g. “Someone who works
in a law office.”)

Friends and family

Educators
Past teachers, faculty members,
preceptors, administrators, tutors, etc.

People you admire

Alumni from Princeton

or other schools

Affinity groups
Extracurriculars, religious groups, athletic
teams, professional associations in a
career of interest, etc.

Guide to Effective & Authentic Networking 2020 3

PHASE 2: “PLUG INTO” YOUR NETWORKS

Find your people

There are many resources you can use to find people Beyond online resources, opportunities to engage in
working in your areas of interest. A great place to start face-to-face networking are all around you, including:
is online. professors’ office hours, speakers at Princeton,
career fairs and other employer events on campus,
coworkers and managers during summer internships
or volunteering, contacts you have through on-campus
LinkedIn
jobs and professional conferences.
www.linkedin.com
Identify individuals, organizations and specific roles
Your Princeton experience offers you chances to
that may be of interest to you. Be sure that your
naturally engage in networking, sometimes without
LinkedIn profile is updated and well organized, so new
even realizing it. These include:
contacts who read your profile learn can about you.
• Participating in student organizations and
volunteer opportunities such as serving on
TigerNet department committees
www.tigernet.princeton.edu
Find Princeton alumni with whom you’d like to • Connecting with alumni and other students
connect, including their contact information using during Reunions
the Alumni Directory search tool on TigerNet. • Getting involved with local Princeton alumni clubs
near your hometown, post-graduation location or
the place where you’re working for a summer

• Participating in the Center for Career

Development’s City Treks and Princeternship
program

• Shadowing alumni and other professionals at

their jobs

“
Talk with many people about what you are doing and what you
would like to do. Also take the time to listen to what they are doing,
their successes, and their pain points. This way, you can build a
genuine connection.

Guide to Effective & Authentic Networking 2020 4

Reach out for informational interviews

Once you have mapped out your “who” and “why,”

start your outreach. When connecting with a new
contact for the first time, you should email them to ask
for the chance to set up an informational interview.

Informational interviews are informal conversations

with others for the main purpose of collecting
information for your own career exploration process.
Informational interviews can act as entry points into
networking with people working in jobs of interest to
you.

If you’re feeling apprehensive about reaching out

to new contacts, remember that many people are
flattered by a request to connect and talk about their

Subject line: Request for career guidance from a Subject line: Fellow Tiger connecting about your
Princeton sophomore choreography career path

Dear Inge, Dear Amir,

As a current sophomore at Princeton, I am considering As a current senior at Princeton, I am curious about

a career in journalism and am excited to explore this becoming a choreographer. I was recently conducting
career path. I [found, received] your information [on some searches in the Princeton alumni LinkedIn group
Princeton’s LinkedIn Alumni page, from Jane Doe, and noticed your profile.
etc.], and am interested in learning more about [your
I find your path from being a part of [dance group xyz]
experience at abcxyz company, your role as xyz, how
at Princeton and writing about dance in your senior
you determined a career in this area was right for you,
thesis, to working for a dance nonprofit and becoming
etc.].
a choreographer, to be very interesting and admirable.
I would appreciate an opportunity to learn more about I am involved in a variety of dance-related groups
your experiences, as well as any advice you might be on campus, and feel that my study of anthropology
willing to share with me. When time allows on your end, alongside my passion for connecting people with
could I take you out for coffee at a location convenient meaningful performances may point towards a career in
to your office or schedule a time to talk with you for choreography.
about 20 minutes on the phone?
I’m currently exploring next steps for my career post-
I look forward to the possibility of connecting with you graduation and was wondering: do you have a few
and thank you for considering my request. minutes to connect via phone to discuss your career
path and experiences with me?
Sincerely,
Theo Tiger Many thanks in advance for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Tamara Tiger

Guide to Effective & Authentic Networking 2020 5

Networking Guide- Email Invitation Examples for Graduate Students:

Subject line: Request for career transition guidance Subject line: Request for a brief chat for start-up
from a Princeton Ph.D. student career exploration from a Princeton graduate student

Dear Julia, Dear Dr. Jing,

I hope this message finds you well! I hope this message finds you well! My name is Chloe
Tiger, and I’m a second-year Ph.D. student in sociology
My name is Justin Tiger, and I’m a Ph.D. candidate in at Princeton. I am curious about career opportunities
chemical engineering at Princeton. As I am planning beyond academia, especially related to diversity and
to defend my dissertation next spring, I’m currently inclusion. Recently, I conducted some alumni career
exploring my next career step after Princeton and searches via LinkedIn and found your profile.
hoping to learn more about technical consulting.
Your career journey from being a diversity fellow at
I found your information on Princeton’s TigerNet and Princeton to becoming a founder of a startup working
noticed you’ve been with [company name] for a while on racial equity and inclusion in the community is very
after Princeton. I would appreciate the opportunity to inspiring and admirable. As a head of diversity fellows
learn more about your transition from Ph.D. to work and this year at Princeton, I am eager to learn more about
experience at [company name] as well as any advice your graduate experiences at Princeton and your current
you could share with me. If time allows on your end, I role at [company name].
was wondering if I could schedule a time to speak with
you for about 20 minutes over Zoom or phone. I know you are very busy but I would truly appreciate
it if you had any availability for a brief chat via phone
I’d be happy to provide any further information that’d anytime next month.
be helpful! Thank you in advance for considering my
request and I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you in advance for your time and consideration. I
hope to have the opportunity to connect with you in the
Kind Regards,
Justin Tiger near future.

Sincerely,
Chloe Tiger

Guide to Effective & Authentic Networking 2020 6

PHASE 3: PREPARE
Once you receive positive responses, you’ll be moving Do Your Networking Homework
into the next stage of networking: preparing for your
You should be ready to talk about yourself and ask
first interaction or informational interview with each
informed and specific questions about your contact
contact. A little preparation will go a long way.
during a networking conversation. This requires some
research ahead of time. Familiarize yourself with
Confirm logistics
your contact’s professional background and current
affiliations so you can build your questions from this
Be sure to confirm all meeting logistics with your
information, connect with your contact on similarities
contact ahead of time: date, time, location, and
and demonstrate the level of time and attention you’ve
method of communication (in-person, phone, video
given to preparing for the conversation.
chat, etc.). In order to be courteous from the get-go,
it is best to defer to the plans that would be most
Resources for gathering in-depth information about
convenient for your contact.
your contacts include (but are not limited to): LinkedIn
profiles, company websites (particularly the staff or
If conducting your informational interview by
team pages), professional bios, publications written by
phone or video chat:
your contact(s) and articles/news about them or their
• Be aware of time-zone differences between your company.
and your contact’s locations.
If something in a contact’s background strikes you as
• Find somewhere quiet and private, where you will
particularly interesting or similar to something in your
not be interrupted and where you have a reliable
own life, make a note of it and ask more about it when
signal.
meeting with them.
• Confirm ahead of time who will be calling and the
best number or username with which to reach your
contact in order to avoid any last-minute confusion.

If conducting your informational interview in

person:

• Confirm the location ahead of time. Ideal settings

are public places where you could talk easily and
uninterrupted, such as a cafe or an office.
Suggesting a location near your contact’s office is
always a plus.

• Plan your mode of transportation to the location

and give yourself more time than you think you’ll
need to get there.

• Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early; it sets a

strong impression if you are at the location and
ready to go before your contact arrives.

• If you’re having a conversation over coffee/tea or a

meal, offer to cover your contact’s bill, if possible.

However you connect with your contacts, be sure

to be very responsive as you’re making plans and
then follow through on those plans. Being a no-
show to a planned meeting or ghosting a contact is
unacceptable and could damage your professional
reputation.
Guide to Effective & Authentic Networking 2020 7
Prepare your questions Be professional during the conversation

When preparing the questions you want to ask in Respect your contact’s time.
your networking conversation(s), keep in mind the Everyone’s time is a commodity, even when someone
information you’ve gathered in your research as well as is excited to connect with you. Consequently, you
your “why” (see Phase 1). Build your questions around should keep your initial conversation to 30 minutes.
the topics that genuinely pique your interest. Keeping tabs on the clock and wrapping up your
conversation within this timeframe will demonstrate
respect for your contact’s time. This could also make
your contacts more willing to schedule follow-up
Examples of effective networking questions: conversations with you and/or refer you to other
• How did you choose this career and get to contacts of theirs.
where you are now after graduation?
Listen twice as much as you talk.
• How has the field changed since you started? Be attentive during the conversation and practice
What are the leading professional organizations active listening. Give your undivided attention to your
in the field? contact; refrain from having your phone or laptop
out during the conversation in order to cut down on
• How does your organization compare with its
distractions. Ask open-ended questions to get the
competitors?
conversation going and ask clarifying questions when
• If you had to do college or graduate school all needed. Seek to understand, not to judge, what the
over again, what would you do differently? other person is saying.

• (For alumni) What aspects of your Princeton

Stay positive.
experience did you find to be particularly useful
Communicating a positive attitude through both
when you were first transitioning from college to
your words and your body language is essential to
work?
making a good impression. When telling a story about
• What skills, personal qualities or abilities are a challenging situation from your past, be sure to
important to being successful in this job? frame it in a positive way and wrap it up with what you
learned from it.
• What next steps would you recommend for my
(concentration or career) search? Re-frame sensitive questions.
• Could you recommend anyone else in your For example, if you are genuinely curious about the
network with whom I can connect? tough parts of someone’s job, instead of asking: “What
do you hate about your job?”, ask: “What are some
• Can you tell me more about your workplace common challenges you face in your role?”
culture as I consider an opportunity with this
company?

Some Questions to Avoid:

• How much money do you make?

• What do you hate about your job?

• Does your company have a job/internship

opening I could apply to right now?

• Can you get me in touch with your company’s

hiring manager for a position?

• Can you recommend me for a position at

your company?

Guide to Effective & Authentic Networking 2020 8

PHASE 4: MANAGE THE RELATIONSHIP

Track your process • If you get along well, you both may be interested in
staying in touch and possibly developing a mentor
Any process can become overwhelming if not well-
or professional relationship. In this case, you may end
organized. A simple spreadsheet can serve as a useful
up communicating regularly.
tool. You can design your network tracking system
however works best for you, but usually you’ll want • If you ever have a negative experience, don’t give
to capture the following information: your contacts’ up on your networking efforts. Conversations \
names; contact information; current positions and that don’t go well could be due to differences in
companies; dates of your conversations with them; personality or someone having a bad day. It’s
notes/takeaways from these conversations; and follow- always best to send a thank-you email and move
up steps you’ve taken or plan to take afterwards. You forward to other things.
can find an example of a tracker here:
https://bit.ly/309qqnQ. You can use the network tracking system to stay in
touch in ways that don’t feel forced or fake. Record
Follow-up and say “Thank you” takeaways or follow-up items from your conversations.
Then, use them as segues for keeping in touch and
Sending a thank you email after each conversation
updating your contacts over time. Examples could
takes only a few moments of your time and leaves
include:
your contacts with a strong impression of you as a
courteous professional. Take the time to personalize • If a contact suggests that you contact one of their
your thank-you note; refer to specific topics or colleagues, check back in with them once you’ve
takeaways from the conversation that were particularly done so. You can discuss what you learned from
impactful to you or about which you plan to follow up. their colleague, ask other questions that arose and
thank them for their help.
Subject line: Thank you!
• Ask if your contact would be open to sharing their
Dear Inge, thoughts about your resume and experience.

Thank you very much for taking time to connect • Add people on LinkedIn following your
with me and share your wisdom and experience informational interviews with them.
as a journalist. I especially enjoyed hearing about
• If your contacts mention a milestone in their lives,
your adventures abroad, as well as the many
reach out to congratulate them.
interesting places you have lived throughout your
career. • If something you discussed with a contact comes up
in a class, the news, a publication or a project you’re
Thank you also for referring me to your colleague
working on, tell them about it.
Hector. I look forward to hopefully connecting with
him soon. Many thanks again! • Use transitions in the year (e.g. holidays, the start
of new semesters) as excuses to reach out to
Sincerely,
contacts whom you haven’t heard from in a while,
Theo Tiger
wish them well and update them about yourself.

Strategize if & how to keep in touch One day in the future, you may find yourself on
the receiving end of a request for an informational
How you remain in touch with a certain contact will
interview or networking conversation from a student or
depend on the nature of your relationship. There
a new professional. From your experiences here and
could be many outcomes from an initial conversation,
now, you will know just how to pay it forward!
including:

• After gaining insight into someone’s workplace or

career, you may no longer be interested in exploring
that profession. In this case, it is fine to not pursue
any further connection with a contact after sending
a thank-you email.
Guide to Effective & Authentic Networking 2020 9