LinkedIn Networking 101
How to take advantage of Bishop’s Alumni Network
Did you know Bishop’s has over 22,000 alumni across the world? Our expansive network is filled with alumni who can help you achieve your goals and explore your interests. Whether you have a specific company, industry or role you would like to break into, there is an alum out there who can help, and by using LinkedIn you can quickly find your target audience.
If you would like to work for a specific company:
-Search the company on LinkedIn
-Go to the People section
-Filter by Bishop’s University in the Where they studied section
If you have a specific industry or role you would like to explore:
-Go to the Bishop’s University LinkedIn page
-Go to Alumni section
-Search using keywords like “marketing manager” or “healthcare”
You can use up to three keywords in your search.
Tip: Prefer meeting in person? Filter results out by city, in the Where they live section, so you know who is local.
How to message an alum:
-Send an invitation to connect
-Customize your invitation by adding a personal note: first, introduce yourself (what you are studying, year, where you are from, relevant experience) then ask for a coffee chat, specifying the topic you would like to discuss.
Example: “Hi, my name is Ben, and I am a fourth year Psychology student at Bishop’s. I noticed you were also involved in BU Snow, which is very cool because I am one of the club execs this year! I am reaching out because I am very interested in becoming a social worker. I would love to have a coffee chat sometime to learn more about your career journey and see if it would be a good fit for me. I hope to hear from you soon!”
Tip: Widen your net. By reaching out to a few different alumni, you’ll be more likely to get a response, but remember to keep it personalized. If someone does not answer, respect that and move on. It is never okay to spam someone.
During your coffee chat make sure you have a few questions prepared ahead of time to help direct the conversation. Be courteous and genuine, remember you are trying to build a relationship. Don’t forget the most crucial step: send them an email or message thanking them for their time!
It’s never too early to start networking and most Bishop’s alumni will be very happy to hear from you. Even if they are busy at the time, you never know when the connection could come in handy. They might be hiring in the future and remember your name!