Step 5: Make First Contact and Schedule the Interview

Your first interaction with potential contacts should always be to introduce yourself and ask if they have time to speak with you. From that point, your goal is to establish and relationship and ask for information, not a job. You can reach out to your contacts in several ways:

Email is a great way to reach out to potential contacts; it is NOT a great way to conduct a networking and informational interview. You will get more information through an in-person or phone conversation. However, given busy schedules, you may not have a choice. When using email follow these simple guidelines:

• Pay attention to proper etiquette, grammar, spelling, and punctuation in your email – it is a formal business correspondence.
• Use a professional subject line such as, “CSU Student Network Request.”
• Address your contacts by appropriate titles such as “Ms.”, “Mr.”, and “Dr.”
• Do not use informal instant messaging language or slang in your email.
• Close your email with a professional closing such as “Sincerely,” “Regards,” or “Best,” followed by your name.
• Do not send mass emails. Send a unique and separate email to each of your contacts. You’ll be more likely to get responses
• View example emails

Calling is also an appropriate way to schedule networking and informational interviews. Do not call expecting an alum to have time to speak to you right then (although be prepared just in case), but ask if they would be willing to set up a meeting to talk about their career.

• View example phone conversations