NETWORK WITH ALUMNI

Over the Wires

Connecting with alumni via email is more like sending postcards than letters.  Your purpose is to make a brief request for advice on the assumption that graduates of Duke’s advanced studies programs are open to assisting both current degree candidates and each other with career-related information and support. If your alumni contact is already a member of DukeConnect, you should thank him or her for volunteering to be a career advisor. Remember, creating a network has the promise of reciprocal relationships in which your advisors could well become the recipients of your professional attention and mentoring support in future.
 

Email or Phone

• Do not use the high priority option.
• Be careful with formatting since your recipient may not be able to receive an email in rich text or html.
• Insert a meaningful subject in the subject line
• Use the correct form of address for professionals, academics, clergy, etc. See http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0001618.html
• Be concise and to the point. Avoid long sentences.
• Explain how you found your alumni contact, what kind of career information would be helpful to you and how you would like to interact further (email exchange, phone appointment, face-to-face meeting)
• Do not cut and paste your CV/resume into the body of the message or attach it until invited to send it.
• Use correct spelling, grammar & punctuation. Proofread.
• Follow up an unanswered email with a phone call. Avoid leaving multiple voice mail messages, however.