Live Q&A with Belma

Networking email from member Kate Barney:

Here is the guideline for outreach emails that I use, and mentioned in our calls. The additional tip is to use this phrase for follow-up, “I just wanted to float this to the top of your inbox, just in case it got lost in the shuffle.” It can feel awkward, but trust me…it works!

Guidelines for Emails: Know the purpose of your outreach!

• Research to create a hook  (this should take no more than a few minutes)
• Make the email about them (use YOU as much as you can)
• Connect their awesome thing to your awesome thing
• Make a simple and specific request – 20 mins in their office (make this simple request the subject line of email: W&M visit- Sept. 2 or 3?)
• Sign with a thank you (50% more likely to return email when signed with Thank you over Sincerely, best, etc.)
• Use a P.S.! (P.S. I will call to follow up on Tuesday) (This works! People will respond because they do not want you to call AND it holds you accountable to follow up!)

Here is a sample email using this format:

“Hello XXX,

Your interview in Wired was fantastic! I was struck by your insightful comments on the skills new tech hires need to be successful. We’re asking the same questions here at GCU!

I’d love the chance to talk with you about your experience at GCU, how it led to your success and your hopes for today’s grads. Could I stop by your office for a brief 20-minute chat on 1/14 or 1/15?

Thank you, Kate”

This specific sample email is based on a fundraiser’s request to meet, but can be adjusted accordingly for an informational interview.

Let me know if you have any questions and/or thoughts!

Share a question and an update in the Slack channel.

Conversations during the call

00:05:40 Jennifer Scheib: Hitting the job boards hard right now!

00:06:12 Judy Levin: interviewing for a few positions. one i’m interested in but I suspect money will be an issue. grappling with that because in this environment not sure what else might come along.

00:08:02 Kate Barney: I’m currently working through the Finding My Mission work, but have also found a company whose mission is something I really gravitate towards. I just applied and have been given a pre-interview review survey to submit. The survey asks for salary expectations, and I know we’ve touched on this, but would love to hear thoughts on the best practices for answering this question. And, any tips/tricks to make sure my answers put me in a good position for an interview.

00:28:46 Judy Levin: I have to jump off for about 20 minutes. I will come back when my overlapping call is over.

00:33:35 Sarah Donna: Hi! I’m job searching as well – it’s definitely a journey as Jen says…I try to limit myself to an hour a day otherwise I go down the rabbit hole…I’ve had some luck recently with a woman who responded to my cold-Linkedin-message and we had a zoom informational interview last week (yay!) but now it’s kinda like “now what” because she was a bit more junior than I thought, and doesn’t have a ton of influence at the org. I’m hopeful but there are definitely days where I’m realizing we’re going to be in this limbo phase of covid until 2021 and that gets me super anxious. BUT I started volunteering at a mission-driven org that’s helping democratic candidates with their election which is helping me feel needed/wanted/using my brain and making an impact.

00:53:47 Sarah Donna: Hi Samantha,

I hope you’re doing well! I recently (today!) applied for the role of Brand Strategist in the NYC office of Fairygodboss. I’m really interested in the role, as I have been a member of the community for some time, and have the skillset required for the position.

Do you have some time to chat next week? I’d love to hear more about the role, what makes the ‘ideal’ team member and overall ins and outs of life at Fairygodboss.

Thank you!
Sarah

00:59:43 Kate Barney: I’ve got to hop off for another call, but thank you all for your help!

00:59:52 Belma McCaffrey: Thanks Kate!!