A Professional Email

[Prudence]

Why not call it "informational interview"? That's what they tell us to do for networking. It's meeting people face-to-face - people who are in the field you hope to be in. It's not a "real" interview, and rules are that you NEVER offer your resume (although it wouldn't hurt to have one handy should they ask) or act like you expect to work THERE, just that you are trying to get a feel for what the industry/area are like. Like a ride-along in a cop car.

In theory, this is supposed to help get the word out about you, too. So you go on "informational interviews" now, and then when someone's buddy needs a new hire the someone says "you know, I talked to this person who is moving up here in a month...."

I'd probably call the email something like "[Field] student requesting informational interview". And then, to make it more open-ended and not "do it right now to fit my schedule", you can say that the soonest you will be in the area happens to be in a week, but you are also available [time in future] or by phone. (The idea is that you're trying to tell them the soonest you can make it, if they want to get it out of the way, but that you're not insisting that they fit you in on a moment's notice.) Ask if they would be willing to meet for coffee to talk about what it's like to do that kind of work (or whatever).

[Chernabog]

Originally Posted by Prudence

Why not call it "informational interview"? That's what they tell us to do for networking. It's meeting people face-to-face - people who are in the field you hope to be in. It's not a "real" interview, and rules are that you NEVER offer your resume (although it wouldn't hurt to have one handy should they ask) or act like you expect to work THERE, just that you are trying to get a feel for what the industry/area are like. Like a ride-along in a cop car.

This is great advice -- as far as the sending resume thing is concerned, I'd venture to guess that it is dependent on how specific your job search is. If it is just a "lets chat and see if I'd fit in with anything there" type of inquiry, then have a version of your resume on hand and there may not be a need to send it in advance. If it is a specific type of job you're wanting there, and want to chat with them then hopefully you'll have your resume tailored to that type of job in advance.... I'm not sure sending it would hurt you in that instance.

If you chat on the phone with this person they may ASK to send a copy of your resume too, so be sure to send one ASAP.

Oh, and the followup email (or voice mail) should be a "I sent you an email on XXX day regarding employment opportunities/information regarding your company and I was wondering if you received it. Please call me back whenever you have a moment at XX number, thank you so much!"