The Desert of My Dreams

One of the benefits of attending SI is the school’s strong alumni network. You can find alums working at some of the hottest companies and in almost every industry. This aspect of the school was a major draw for me when I was applying to grad schools. If others who attended the school could get a good job, I figured I could too. Later when I learned more about social networks and Granovetter’s work on weak ties, I realized that having that network could be important for my career. Admittedly, when I was looking for a job after graduation, I didn’t directly use those weak ties – it just sort of fell in my lap. I learned of the position opening for my current job and was able to interview for it through an alum (via a classmate). And when I got my summer internship in 2005, a second year student who had held the position the summer before offered invaluable advice about what to expect and how to get the most out of the experience. In short, SI alums helped me along the way and I like being able to help others. At the same time, I think there is a right way to contact alums and a wrong way to contact alums. Here are a few painfully obvious tips:

• Don’t send me a generic email. Nothing says tacky than getting a one-liner that simply says “I’m interested in your company.” OK, why? Show me that you really are interested. Why do you want to work in UX and why at Microsoft? Be specific about your request – what sort of advice or feedback do you want? Simply sending me your resume and expecting me to somehow get you a job or plaster your resume isn’t going to cut it.
• Don’t spam all of my friends with that same generic email. Guess what? I still keep in touch with other SI alums, especially the ones who live in the Bay Area. Some of them are even my friends! And I even work with an alum! We talk! Spaming a large number of alums with the same email doesn’t make me want to help you – it says that you’re lazy, unprofessional, and rude.
• Don’t send me a generic LinkedIn request. If I’ve never met you or communicated with you before, don’t send me a LinkedIn request, and worse yet don’t send the generic LinkedIn request! “Noor, I’d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.” Um, ok, but why should I add you? I don’t know you. Why would I want you to see my network?
• You’re not entitled to anything. I don’t have to help you. I don’t have to get you a job. Don’t send me an email with that attitude. First of all, I can’t believe you’re so naive as to think that I’m somehow capable of getting you a job – when I’ve only been out of school 1.5 years myself. Again, ask direct questions about what sort of help and feedback you’d like. Try to build a relationship. Asking me to plaster your resume isn’t building a relationship.
• Say thank you. If I’ve sent you a response to your email, say thank you! How much effort does it take to say, “Hey Noor, thanks!” OK, so I probably didn’t get you a job, but if I’ve offered tips on your resume, passed you somebody’s contact info, or given you advice about interviewing at Microsoft, say thank you! It takes time and effort for me to respond to you so send a quick note that says you appreciate it. Not saying thank you doesn’t make me more willing to talk you up to my colleagues. Again, it sends the message that you’re lazy, unprofessional, and feel entitled to that feedback.
• Be prepared/show you care. Have somebody look at your resume (umm, like Career Services?) and portfolio before contacting me. Attaching a sloppy resume is bad form and again won’t make me want to pass it around. Again, you’re sending the message that you’re lazy and just don’t care. If I recommend you to one of my colleagues, my reputation is on the line – I’m less likely to do that when your resume is unpolished and sloppy. It is also a waste of my time (and yours) for me to send you basic feedback about your resume.

I don’t want this post to make it sound like I’m grumpy and don’t want to help people. Because I really do. I enjoy getting emails from current students and like sharing my experiences with others. But nobody likes feeling used. The bottom line is – when contacting alums, seek advice and try to build a relationship. After all, only you can get yourself a job.