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Geneseo Alumni Career Partners

User Guidelines

Table of Contents:
General Tips | Sample Questions | Sample Information Interview
Sample Networking Letter
Sample Script to Schedule a Visit
Telephone script to conduct/schedule a phone Interview
Thank You Letter Guidelines and Sample

Welcome to the Alumni Career Partners program! Career Partners are Geneseo alumni who have agreed to serve as a resource to you. Career Partners may choose to share information about what they do, the organization they work for, the place they live, the graduate programs they have attended, or hiring contacts within their field/organization.

Since you will most likely be having a conversation with your alumni connection, whether over e-mail, phone or in person, it’s important for you to be prepared. Consider taking the time to assess your skills, interests and values as it relates to your career; researching your career field(s) of interest for basic information; and, formulating more specific questions based on your findings.

Some suggestions on helping you uncover your skills, interests and values include:

  • Schedule an appointment with a Career Services counselor to discuss your interests, skills and values and, possibly, the use of interest tests to assist you in this process.
  • Analyze past accomplishments and experiences for the skills and abilities you demonstrated. Think about feedback that you have received from peers, faculty and supervisors regarding your skills.
  • Ask yourself what you like to do academically, at work and with your free time.
  • Think about what you want out of a career. For example, some people want a position where they can help others, are a leader or do a variety of work each day.

    • Researching your career field(s) of interest may be something you have already done. However, if you would like assistance, you may find information such as job descriptions, salary data and supply and demand in the Career Library of our office or on our web site. In general, you do not want to ask for information from alumni that is readily available elsewhere.

    You may wish to connect with alumni simply to gather information about a potential career field. This type of situation is known as Informational Interviewing. In this type of interview, you may ask some of the following questions:

    1. How did you get started in this line of work?
    2. How did you prepare yourself for this profession?
    3. What classes or projects can I do to prepare myself for this career area?
    4. What is the most valuable thing you learned in college?
    5. Knowing what you know now, would you take the same job/career path again? Why/why not?
    6. What do you like most about your work? Like least? What do you find most rewarding about your work?
    7. What do you do in a typical day?
    8. What type of people do you work with?
    9. What are other specialties in this area?
    10. Would you advise others to enter this career area?
    11. What, in your opinion, is the job outlook in this field/geographic location?
    12. In other settings and organizations, would I find people involved in this activity?
    13. What skills are essential in this field?
    14. Do you know anyone else in this career field who might be willing to talk to me about what they do? Would you allow me to use your name when I contact them?

    If you are connecting with alumni for the purposes of your job or internship search, then you are networking. Following are questions that you may ask:

    1. Are there any specific skills or qualifications that I need to concentrate on to be marketable in this career field or organization?
    2. How can I best market myself to potential employers?
    3. Would you be willing to review my resume?
    4. How does the hiring process work at your organization?
    5. Do you know of any other organizations that are currently hiring?
    6. Who would be the best person to contact or send a resume to regarding a position with your organization?
    7. Your initial conversation with an alumni will likely be through e-mail, but don’t forget that telephone and in-person meetings are a possibility. Here are some sample scripts to get you started with your alumni:

    Sample #1 -- Informational interview

    Dear Ms./Mr. ___________:

    I was recently given your name through the Geneseo Alumni Career Partners Program. I am in my junior year at Geneseo and majoring in Communication. I am interested in learning more about careers in advertising. I have listed a few questions below that I would greatly appreciate your response to:

  • How long have you worked in advertising?
  • What made you choose your career field?
  • As an account executive, what is your typical day like?
  • Is there anything you don’t like about your job?
  • What skills do you feel are necessary to succeed in the advertising industry?

    • Thank you for taking the time to provide this information. I would be happy to provide additional information about myself and am willing to schedule a phone or in-person meeting if you are interested. I am looking forward to hearing back from you.

    Sincerely,

    Julie Smith

    Address
    City, State, Zip
    Phone
    E-mail address

    Sample #2 -- Networking letter

    Dear Ms./Mr. _______:

    Recently I accessed the Career Partners program offered through the Career Services Office at SUNY Geneseo. After I graduate in May with a degree in Sociology, I plan to relocate to Georgia and hope to pursue a career in counseling. Your name came up as a human services professional in the Atlanta area.

    In addition to my course work, I have completed a successful internship at Hillside Family of Agencies. I gained an understanding of individual and group counseling during this experience. I have enclosed my resume for your review and hope that you will keep me in mind should positions arise within your organization. I would also appreciate any insights that you may be able to provide into the Atlanta job market.

    I will be available for a telephone conversation at your convenience or we can continue to correspond through e-mail. Thank you in advance for taking the time to provide this information.

    Sincerely,

    Julie Smith
    Address
    City, State, Zip
    Phone
    E-mail address
    Enclosure

    Sample #3 -- Telephone script to schedule a visit

    “Hello, my name is __________ and the Career Services Office at SUNY Geneseo put me in touch with you through the Career Partners program. Is this a good time for you to talk with me?”

    RESPONSE (If yes- “Great!” If no- “When would be a good time to contact you?”)

    “I am a senior and would like to pursue a career in banking when I graduate. I understand that you have been in the field for a few years and may be able to provide me with some information. I was hoping to meet you in person.”

    Sample #4 -- Telephone script to conduct/schedule a telephone interview

    “Hi, Ms./Mr.____________. My name is__________ and I am contacting you as a result of the Geneseo Alumni Career Partners Program. Do you have a few moments to speak with me?”

    RESPONSE (same as above)

    “I am a junior at Geneseo and I have been thinking about going to law school. I have researched the career field but I’m still not sure if it’s for me. I was hoping you could tell me from an experienced perspective what it is really like to be a lawyer?”

    RESPONSE

    “Great! I do have a few questions written down…”

    It is important after connecting with an alumni in your search for information or in your search for a job, to take the time to appropriately thank them. These notes do not have to be formal and long, but they should happen.

    Thank You Letter Guidelines and Sample

    Thank you letters should:

  • Be sent within 48 hours of the informational interview.
  • Be error free.
  • Be concise.
  • Compliment their expertise, knowledge, and helpfulness.
  • Define how the person helped you.
  • Thank them for their lead(s), if appropriate, and tell them how and when you plan to contact the person(s) and that you will let them know how it turns out.
  • Mention that you will keep them advised of your progress.

    • Sample #5 -- Thank you letter

    Date
    Your Street Address
    City, State, Zip

    Name of the Career Partner
    Job Title
    Organization Name
    Street Address
    City, State, Zip

    Dear Ms./Mr.___________:

    Thank you very much for taking the time to meet with me Thursday to discuss the professional growth possibilities in the __________ industry. I was impressed by your knowledge of ___________ and appreciated your insight regarding the way I can use my skills to contribute to ____________.

    You gave me the name of __________ at _____________ to contact and we have an appointment early next month.

    I will be in contact from time to time to keep you posted on my career research. Thank you for your help and valuable information.

    Sincerely,

    Signature

    Julie Smith