Networking Guide
Networking is often viewed as a necessary evil or an awkward task, but it doesn’t have to be.
This guide will serve as an introduction to networking and walk you through the process of a successful networking experience.
Starting off, here are a few things to keep in mind.
Most people enjoy connecting with students. That “.edu” email is a huge asset and will open a lot of doors, so don’t be shy.
Know your audience and do your homework. Personalization is key, and know how to adjust your tone to fit the situation.
Don’t ask for a job (at least not right away).
Networking compounds itself. Consistent effort is critical to seeing exponential benefits
Step 1: Finding the Right Tools
LinkedIn will be your friend here. If you haven’t already, make sure to touch up your profile with the most recent information, such as any recent work experience or projects. Alumni databases are also an excellent place to find people from your school working in your desired industry or in your desired role. Most of them have their emails included, too.
Step 2: Finding the Right People to Network With
To get to this point, we’ll assume you’ve narrowed down your interest to a specific group or type of company. If not, see our “how to narrow your interests in the energy industry” or head over to our Energy Verticals page to read up on a few verticals you might be interested in. Once you’ve done that and identified a few companies you might be interested in, come back here for the next steps.
There are two important things to keep in mind when you’re identifying the right person to reach out to. First, who is going to have the right experience or information to answer my question? Second, what common ground can I establish with this person?
For the first point, look for job titles that match your interests. For example, if you’re interested in a marketing role, look for keywords like “marketing” or “communications.”
For the second point, scroll through their LinkedIn profile to learn more about them. Did they have the same major as you? Did they go to the same school? Are they from the same city? All of these points can be great conversation starters and make them more likely to connect with you. Alumni of your school can be a great place to start, and many schools have an online database where you can find emails, bios, and more.
Another common question is what level of seniority you should target. In general, for most informational interviews, we would recommend someone within 10 years of your current level of experience. They were in your shoes not too long ago, can relate to you well, and can provide greater insight into entry level positions like the ones you might be interested in. Plus, they’re probably more likely to respond.
At the end of this step, we’ve found our ideal target. On to step 3!
3. Crafting the Perfect Message
For this step, head over to our LinkedIn message or cold email templates for more information.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Keep it short.
Make it personal.
Have a clear ask.
Keep it short: A great message should be short enough that they can read it in 20-30 seconds and clear enough that they can instantly understand why you’re reaching out to them. You don’t need to recite your resume; a simple one-liner including your school, major, and relevant position at a company/organization will do. Ex.: “I’m a Duke engineering student and the Co-Founder of Energy Terminal.”
Make it personal: Do your homework not just before the call, but before the email! Read one of their recent LinkedIn posts or find a common interest. Ex.: “I read your recent article about carbon capture and was really interested to learn about X, Y, and Z.” Also, use first names where it feels appropriate. In the professional world, this is more common.
Have a clear ask: The last line of your email should be your ask, typically for a call. Specify a length, propose a few time options, and close with a thank you.
Now putting it all together:
Hey XXXXX,
I hope you’re doing well. I’m a Duke engineering graduate and Co-Founder of Energy Terminal. I read your recent LinkedIn post about carbon capture and was really interested to hear about how your company is partnering with natural gas pipeline companies to build CO2 transport pipelines. My primary interest is in the transition of traditional energy infrastructure toward sustainable applications, so I’d love to learn more about your work.
Would you have time for a 20 minute call sometime next week? I’m free Monday and Tuesday afternoons as well as Wednesday morning. Please let me know what works best for you, and I’ll send over a calendar invite. Thank you, and I'm looking forward to it!
Best, Michael
Step 4: Before the Call
Now that you’ve locked down a date with your networking contact, it’s time to make sure you’re ready. Dive deep into their background and their company to prepare relevant questions. They’ve already volunteered their valuable time to meet with you, so it’s important to make sure you’re well-prepared to make the best use of the time you’re given.
I suggest preparing a list of 5-10 questions. You won’t get to all of them, most likely, but it helps to be over-prepared. Know in advance which questions you want to make sure you ask and focus on those first.
Step 5: During the Call
Start with an introduction! It helps to have a well-rehearsed, short (60s or less) introduction about who you are, and ask them to introduce themselves too.
Next, thank them for taking the time to speak with you and reiterate your reason for wanting to speak with them. Ex. I’m interested in a career in the nuclear energy industry and wanted to hear more about the work you / your company does.
Once you get into the topics, spend most of your time listening. A good rule-of-thumb is to spend 80% of the time listening and 20% of the time talking. This is great for two reasons: you’ll learn more the more they talk, and most people love to talk about themselves!
While they’re talking, take notes. I can’t tell you the number of times that a small fact or reference I’ve written down during a call has come in handy later. Plus, it is very helpful to have on hand for a follow-up conversation.
Step 6: After the Call
Most importantly, send a thank-you email within 24 hours of the meeting. This should be a short message thanking them for your time, referencing a specific part of the conversation that you found valuable, and setting the stage for a future meeting.
Also, connect with them on LinkedIn if you haven’t already. This is a great way to stay in touch and have interactions with them going forward.
Step 7: Rinse & Repeat
The value of networking compounds itself tremendously. You’re not going to be an expert overnight, so be bold and get out there!