• Write to the alumnus/a before contacting them. Include a resume so that the alum can learn about your background. In your cover letter, state what you would like to discuss and indicate a date and time when you will be following up with a phone call. Be sure to follow up on the day that you say you will. If the date and time that you suggest is not convenient for the alum, let the individual (or the individual's administrative assistant) suggest a date/time that is more agreeable. (See the note regarding this approach in the Letter Writing Tips Learning Guide online on the Career Development website.)
  
  
• Your purpose in contacting alumni is to gather information, not to ask for a job. Although employment opportunities may be discussed at some stage of the networking process, this typically is not a subject to raise when making an initial contact.
  
  
• Whenever possible, do some research on the alumnus/a and his/her employer prior to making the follow-up phone call. This will help you to be proactive and set the stage for you to ask more focused questions.
  
  
• Show respect for the alumnus' time by indicating that you would like for the discussion to last 15-20 minutes. Then, stick to this commitment, at least by acknowledging when your time has expired. The individual can offer to extend this time if he/she wishes to do so. Or, if the conversation is unfinished, ask if you may call him/her again to conclude it. Set a time during this call and follow up with a confirming letter or email.
  
  
• Based on the way the discussion flows, you may be in a position where you can ask the alum for additional contacts in that person's network. If you do receive additional contacts, be sure to follow up with these people in a timely manner.
  
  
• Always send a thank-you letter following a conversation with an alum. Think of the thank-you letter as the completion of the business transaction.

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