Here’s a quick recap from last week:
- Lots of people look at your LinkedIn “About.”
- Your “About” should include who you are, what you study, what you enjoy,and why you do what you do.
Have a trusted person proofread your “About.”
Cold emails, especially in the digital networking world, are essential.
A “cold email” is basically a first-time email to someone you’ve never met.
Who can you email? Anyone! For example, if you are interested in a particular policy issue — let’s say refugee policy — and as you’re researching the topic you read a study written by someone in a DC think tank that you think is really useful. That’s a person you should talk to!
While some of the people you want to talk to are truly ‘cold’ calls, make sure there aren’t any ‘warm’ calls you can make! Check your network for people who are doing work that you’re interested in learning more about. This includes:
- Alumni from BenConnect/QuakerNet/PIW
- Professors
- Friends of friends/family
No one is out of your reach if you follow these steps:
- Tell WHO you are.
- Ask WHAT you want to know (focusing on them and how fantastic you think they are).
- End with WHEN you can meet (of course, being very flexible). And now that your LinkedIn is ready, include that in your signature!
Finally, cold emails should NOT be cold-hearted.
- Use a title (find out what their title is!): On a first email, always start off with an honorific or greeting— Dear Mr./Ms Quaker; Good Afternoon, Dr. Franklin, etc.
- Be yourself, and be enthusiastic: very briefly tell them why you would be so excited to speak to them. Emphasis on briefly!
- Slow & Steady Doesn’t Win the Race… Reply to emails promptly.
- I’d Like to Thank the Academy… Always follow through with a prompt “thank you,” regardless if your contact could help.
Next week: digital interviews.
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