You already have a network; you just need to activate it. 

Start with who you already know:  

• Parents, family, and friends 

• Former co-op employers and co-workers 

• Neighbors and acquaintances 

• Faculty, academic advisors, and teaching assistants 

• Professors in your field  

• Fellow students and classmates  

• Community and religious organizations 

Expand through structured networking:  

• Career Development events – NU Talent Connect, Career Fairs, Industry networking events, Employer presentations, Alumni events 

• Professional organizations – Join campus chapters and attend conferences (great way to meet established professionals and stay current in your field)  

• LinkedIn — a free professional networking platform where you can connect with classmates, alumni, and professionals in your field  

• Industry resources – Read professional journals, newsletters, and websites; identify people doing interesting work and find ways to connect 

Leverage Northeastern networks:  

• LinkedIn – Join the Career Development group and Northeastern Alumni Group  

• NUsource – Access your free NUsource account to connect with 200,000+ Northeastern alumni, most of whom are eager to help fellow Huskies  

• In-person networking – Attend workshops on LinkedIn profile building and networking strategy 

Networking isn’t about collecting contacts—it’s about building genuine relationships. Focus on quality over quantity. 

1. Identify people doing work you admire – Use LinkedIn, alumni directories, and professional organizations 

2. Reach out with a genuine reason – Mention how you know them, what impressed you about their work, or a specific connection 

3. Ask for 20-30 minutes – Don’t ask for a job; ask for advice and insight 

4. Research before you connect – Read their LinkedIn profile, understand their background, and familiarize yourself with their company 

5. Follow up consistently – Stay in touch every few months with a brief, friendly email 

Building the network is only half the work. Staying connected keeps relationships alive. 

When something significant happens in your career, reach out:  

• “I just accepted an offer as [role] at [company]. I really valued our conversation about the industry, and your advice was helpful as I thought through my options.” 

• “I just completed my first semester and wanted to update you on what I’m learning.” 

• “I changed my major to [field]. Remember when we talked about [topic]? It turns out that’s exactly what I want to pursue.” 

People want to hear how you’re doing. These updates strengthen relationships and remind people that you’re progressing in your career. 

Look for ways to help your network:  

• Share an article relevant to their work  

• Introduce them to someone who might be valuable to know  

• Offer to help with a project or skill you have  

• Ask for their advice on something you’re working on 

Networking is a two-way street. 

LinkedIn is where professional networking happens online. Most recruiters start here. 

Getting started:  

1. Create a complete profile with a professional photo  

2. Write a compelling headline (not just your job title)  

3. Fill out the “About” section with your story and career interests  

4. List your education, experience, and skills  

5. Connect with classmates, alumni, and professionals in your field  

6. Join relevant groups (Employer Engagement and Career Design, Northeastern Alumni Group, industry-specific groups)  

7. Attend our LinkedIn workshops for deep training 

Staying active:  

• Engage thoughtfully in your network’s posts  

• Share industry insights or articles  

• Update your profile when you change roles or gain skills  

• Keep your headline and “About” section current 

Networking looks different depending on where you are in your journey. Some students know exactly where they want to focus; others are still exploring. Both are fine—we can help you figure out what comes next. 

1. Schedule a meeting with a Career Counselor to discuss your networking strategy and goals 

2. Identify your network sources – Start with who you already know and structured networking opportunities 

3. Create or update your LinkedIn profile and connect with 10 people in your network 

4. Identify 3-5 professionals in your field of interest and reach out for informational interviews using NUSource 

5. Set a calendar reminder to reach out to 2-3 network contacts every few months 

6. Revisit with Career Design to share what you’ve learned and refine your networking approach 

An informational interview is a brief (usually 20-30 minute) conversation with a professional in a field or company you’re interested in. You’re asking them for advice, insight, and industry knowledge—not asking them for a job or referral in your first meeting.  

Most professionals are happy to help. They remember starting out, and many will be glad to offer guidance. If someone is too busy or doesn’t respond, it’s not personal—they’re just unavailable. Move on to your next contact. 

Informational interviewing isn’t just about learning jobs that are available. It’s also about becoming fluent in the language of your field. The more informational interviews you do, the more you can describe yourself in job interviews in a way employers understand. 

Informational interviews accomplish multiple goals at once:  

• You learn about careers, industries, and companies from someone doing the actual work 

• You uncover potential job leads (sometimes they volunteer opportunities)  

• You clarify whether a career path is right for you  

• You make a meaningful professional connection that lasts beyond the conversation  

• You gain confidence and skills for future real job interviews 

• You learn the language of the field 

Who do you want to talk to?  

• Alumni in your field (search NUsource)  

• Professionals on LinkedIn in companies you’re targeting  

• People working in roles you’re curious about  

• Industry experts with interesting perspectives

The goal of an informational interview request is making a “yes” answer easy to give. This means focusing only on what they need to know to give that yes answer. Write a clear, professional email or letter requesting a brief meeting. Here are the key principles: 

Email Etiquette: Do’s and Don’ts 

Do’s:  

• Keep your message short and clear (4-5 sentences)  

• Use a typeface and formatting that’s easy to read (12pt font minimum) 

• Write a descriptive subject line so they know why you’re reaching out (example: “Referred by [Name] to discuss [Topic]” or “Informational Interview Request”)  

• Specify the amount of time you’re requesting (20-30 minutes maximum)  

• Specify your preferred format: in-person, virtually, or phone call. Remote conversations are easiest for initial conversations. 

• Specify your general availability and timezone (“I’m generally available on Mondays and Tuesdays after 2PM Eastern”) 

• Proofread before sending—check tone and grammar  

• Include a brief, honest explanation of why you’re interested in speaking with them. Generic reasons that could be written for anyone make it seem like you didn’t select them intentionally. 

Don’ts:  

• Don’t attach your resume to a request letter—you can share it later if asked  

• Don’t use “high priority/urgent” flag (save it for real emergencies)  

• Don’t use text abbreviations or emojis  

• Don’t write in all capitals (it reads as SHOUTING)  

• Don’t ask for a job in the initial email 

Subject: Request for Informational Interview – Northeastern Student 

Dear [First Name Last Name], 

I found your name through the Northeastern Employer Engagement and Career Development group on LinkedIn and saw that you received your Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Northeastern before beginning your career as a Social Worker with the Department of Children and Families. I am currently a sophomore at Northeastern, majoring in Human Services and Criminal Justice, and will be going on my first co-op next semester. 

I am looking to speak to professionals to learn more about the field of Social Work and was wondering if we could set up a 20-30 minute meeting, at your convenience, to discuss the field, including your advice and suggestions on additional co-ops that may be helpful, and graduate school. I look forward to hearing from you. 

Sincerely, [First Name Last Name] 

Dear [First Name Last Name], 

I’m a recent graduate from Northeastern University’s BA in Psychology program. I’m reaching out because I’m exploring careers in gambling disorder research and I saw that you used to work at Cambridge Health Alliance coordinating responsible gambling studies. I’d love to chat about what your daily work responsibilities actually looked like to get a sense of what this work actually involves. 

Do you have 15 minutes to meet virtually in the next two weeks? I’m usually free on Thursdays and Fridays from 8:30 to 10AM and 2 to 5PM Eastern. Thanks! 

All the best, 

[First Name Last Name] 

Subject: Request for Informational Interview – Northeastern Graduate Student 

Dear [First Name Last Name], 

I found your name through the Northeastern University Alumni LinkedIn group and saw that you received your Master of Science in Biotechnology before beginning your career as a Scientific Associate for XYZ Corp. I will be completing my graduate program in Biotechnology from Northeastern in May and am interested in receiving advice and suggestions from professionals in the field as I begin my job search. 

Your work at XYZ Corp. especially interests me because of your focus on researching implantable devices that repel bacteria. I have been an active member of the Biotech Entrepreneurs club and involved with different projects through co-op involving studies of bacteria. I would really appreciate it if we could set up a 20-30 minute meeting, at your convenience, to discuss any advice and suggestions that you might have as I look to enter this field and begin my job search. I look forward to hearing from you. 

Sincerely, [First Name Last Name] 

Subject: Request for Informational Interview – Referred by Professor Doe 

Dear [First Name Last Name], 

I recently completed Professor Doe’s Mergers and Acquisitions course and he highly recommended that I speak to you to get your advice and suggestions as I begin my job search. I will be graduating from the D’Amore-McKim School of Business with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in May. 

I am interested in working in corporate finance, and your work at XYZ Corp. especially interests me because of its strong reputation in the field and the opportunity to work on complex matters with a diverse client base. Through co-op I gained experience completing due diligence for corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, and was an active member of the Finance and Investment Club. I would really appreciate it if we could set up a 20-30 minute meeting, at your convenience, to discuss any advice and suggestions that you might have as I begin my job search. I look forward to hearing from you. 

Sincerely, [First Name Last Name] 

Wait about two weeks, then send one follow-up email. Keep it short and simple. If there’s still no response after your second attempt, move on to other contacts. Some people are busy—don’t take it personally. 

Before the meeting, spend 30 minutes preparing: 

1. Research the person: 

• Read their LinkedIn profile 

• Check their company website and learn about their role 

• Search for recent articles they’ve written or interviews they’ve given 

• Understand their career path 

2. Research the industry: 

• Read recent articles about their company or industry 

• Understand current trends and challenges 

• Familiarize yourself with industry terminology 

3. Prepare your questions – Write them down so you don’t forget 

• Your questions should be ones you can’t easily find answers to online 

• Open-ended questions stimulate better conversation than yes/no questions 

• Focus on learning, not impressing 

• How your major/concentration relates to a specific career or industry 

• Preparing for a specific career path 

• Companies and positions that might be a good fit 

• What the organizational culture is like at a particular company 

• Making a career change and navigating a new field 

• Entry-level opportunities and realistic career progression 

• Industry trends and where the field is heading 

Important: The purpose is to gain advice and insight, not to ask about a specific job opening. However, if they volunteer information about job opportunities, respond graciously and ask if you can explore that further. 

Open-ended questions work best. Here are sample questions organized by topic: 

About the Job Content 

• Could you describe a typical workday or work week? 

• What part of your job do you find most satisfying? Most challenging? 

• What abilities or personal qualities do you believe contribute most to success in this job? 

About Career Path 

• What is the typical career path in this field? 

• How did you get into this industry? 

• What steps did you take to get your present job? 

• Can you tell me about entry-level opportunities in this field? 

About Preparation 

• What advice would you give to someone interested in starting out in this field? 

• What do you see as coming trends in the industry? 

• Do you have any special words of warning or encouragement based on your experience? 

• Are there any professional associations and/or journals you would recommend? 

• Are there any job hunting strategies you would suggest to enter this field? 

• When do companies in this industry typically do their entry-level hiring? 

About Organizational Fit 

• What are some of the top qualities that your company looks for in entry-level candidates? 

• How would you describe the work environment at your company? 

• What types of projects or assignments do you work on? 

• What opportunities exist for corporate social responsibility at your company? 

• How do you see the values of this organization embedded in your work? 

• Do you know the entry-level salary range for this profession/industry? 

About Next Steps 

• Is there anyone else you could recommend I speak to for additional information? 

• Would you be willing to look at my resume and offer feedback? 

• May I send you a LinkedIn connection request? 

During the Meeting 

Be Prepared to Lead 

You requested the meeting, so you’re the interviewer. Come ready to lead the conversation. 

Logistics 

• Arrive on time – This shows respect for their schedule 

• Dress appropriately – Match the company culture (business casual minimum, unless it’s casual) 

• Bring an updated resume – Bring it, but only share if they ask 

During the Conversation 

• Lead the conversation – You requested it, so you’re in charge of guiding it 

• Have your prepared questions – Reference them so you stay on track 

• Take notes if appropriate – Ask first: “Do you mind if I take notes on what you share?” 

• Listen actively – This is their time to speak; you’re there to learn 

• Keep track of time – Stay for the planned 20-30 minutes unless they invite you to stay longer 

• Be professional – This is your first impression; make it count 

Write a Thank You Note 

Within 24 hours, send a thank you email. Keep it brief (3-4 sentences):  

• Express appreciation for their time  

• Mention one or two specific points you learned  

• Reiterate your interest in staying connected 

Example: 

“Dear Mr. Doe, 

Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with me yesterday. Your insights about entry-level roles in social work were particularly helpful, and I especially appreciated your advice about gaining experience in multiple service sectors. I’ll definitely look into the three organizations you recommended. I appreciate your willingness to help and look forward to staying in touch. 

Sincerely, Jane Doe” 

You’ve made a professional connection. Maintain it:  

• Send them a brief update in a few months 

• Share a relevant article from time to time  

• Let them know when you land a job  

• Reference them in future networking  

• Return the favor by helping others when you’re more established 

Your first informational interview can feel nerve-wracking, but remember: most people remember what it was like to be starting out and want to help. Your situation and comfort level matter—we can help you figure out how to make this work for you. 

1. Identify 3-5 professionals you’d like to interview using NUsource, LinkedIn, or professional associations in your field. 

2. Draft your request email using the sample emails above as your template. 

3. Send emails this week – The earlier you start, the more time you have for conversations. 

4. Research before each meeting – Know who you’re talking to and what you want to learn. 

5. Write and send thank you notes within 24 hours of each meeting. 

6. Get feedback on your approach – Visit the Career Studio to discuss your informational interviews or get help refining your request emails.