Networking for your job search
Gain practical networking strategies to support an active job or internship search. Learn how to research employers before you apply, start conversations with recruiters at career fairs and events, follow up in a way that keeps you on their radar, and ask for warm introductions that can help open doors. By the end, you’ll have clear next steps for turning your network into real opportunities.
Are you a graduate student?
This content is tailored for undergraduates.
Graduate students, see Academic Job Market Preparation
Still building your network?
Not actively searching yet? See Networking under Plan & Apply for guidance on making connections, maintaining relationships, and conducting informational interviews.
Research employers before you apply
Before you click Apply, spend 20 minutes learning about the employer. Read the company’s About, Mission, and Careers pages to understand what they do, what they value, and what it’s like to work there. That research can help you tailor a stronger application, find the right people to contact, and ask better questions in interviews with confidence.
- Start with the company’s website. Read the “About” and “Careers” pages to understand what the company does, where they’re located, what they value, and what their goals are. If they have a “Why Work Here,” “Culture,” or “Our People” page, read that too. It gives you a sense of what the company highlights about itself and what they look for in candidates. Pro tip: check the company’s LinkedIn page. Their posts often show updates, team culture, and behind-the-scenes work you won’t see on the website.
- Find UT alumni who work there in Handshake. Search for the company and see whether UT students or alumni work there. Make a list of 3 to 5 people in roles that interest you. These connections may be able to share insights about the company, team, or hiring process.
- Look for UT alumni on LinkedIn. Search the company and filter by School: “University of Tennessee, Knoxville.” Focus on alumni who are a few years ahead of you and working in jobs you’d like to have one day. Save their profiles so you can reach out later and follow them to monitor their updates.
- Search recent company news. Spend 5 minutes searching “[company name] news.” Look for updates about new product launches, location expansions, or any major announcement. Mentioning something specific in a conversation helps you stand out from generic messages and shows you’ve done your homework.
- Find the company recruiter(s). Check the job posting or search LinkedIn for the recruiter or Talent Acquisition team member connected to the role. Write down their name and address your cover letter greeting to the recruiter or team. Pro tip: if you engage and comment on the recruiters’ LinkedIn posts, your name will start to feel familiar when they see your application later.
- Write down 3 questions. This is the homework most candidates skip. Think about what you’d want to know if you landed an interview tomorrow. If you can’t come up with 3 thoughtful questions after 20 minutes of research, keep going.
Generic messages get generic responses. Don’t skip the research.
Make the most of a career fair
A career fair is a networking event, not a job application event. The goal is to leave with 3 to 5 real conversations, not a stack of brochures or business cards.
Before the fair
Pull the employer list from the fair’s Handshake event page. Choose your top 3 employers, the ones you’re actually excited about, not just the biggest booths. Research each one (see Research employers before you apply above) so you can talk about them confidently.
Prepare a short introduction (about 30 seconds): your name, major, year, the type of role you’re looking for, and one specific thing that caught your attention about the company.
- Print 5 to 10 copies of your resume.
- Bring a portfolio or padfolio so they stay clean.
- Plan your outfit (business casual is the default for most UT career fairs).
At the fair
Start with a smaller booth to warm up before going to your top employers. When you approach a booth, make eye contact, introduce yourself, and share your 30-second pitch.
Ask one question that shows you did your research. For example:
- “I saw you opened a new office in Austin last quarter, are you hiring there?”
- “I read about your sustainability initiative, how does that show up in day-to-day roles?”
Get the recruiter’s name and email (or LinkedIn) before you leave. Take a photo of their business card or write down a note on your phone. Thank them and move on, don’t stay at one booth too long.
After the fair (within 48 hours)
Follow up with every recruiter you spoke to. Send a short email or LinkedIn connect request with a message.
- Mention one specific detail from your conversation.
- Attach your resume.
- If they shared an open role, apply soon (within a few days) and let them know.
- If they’re not hiring right now, stay in touch every 3 to 4 months until you graduate.
Pro tip: commenting on a recruiter’s LinkedIn posts helps them recognize your name later when you apply. Consistency matters more than perfection, this is how you stay on their radar.
Ask for warm introductions from your existing network
The fastest way to connect with an employer is through someone who already knows you or knows someone at the company. Start with the network you already have, faculty, supervisors, alumni, family friends, and other trusted connections.
- Make a list of 10 to 15 people you already know. Think about faculty members, former supervisors, internship mentors, family friends, alumni you’ve met, or other professionals who would recognize your name and be willing to help.
- Look for connections to your target employers. For each person on your list, identify companies where they may have contacts. You’re not expecting them to know everyone, you’re simply looking for possible connections.
- Make a specific request. Avoid broad questions like, “Do you know anyone who’s hiring?” Instead, be clear about the role, company, and person you’re hoping to connect with. For example: “I’m applying for the [specific role] at [specific company] and noticed you’re connected to [specific person] on LinkedIn. Would you feel comfortable introducing us? Happy to send a short blurb you can forward.”
- Always offer to draft the intro email. Make it easy for them to say yes. Write a 4 to 5 sentence message they can forward to the contact. Include who you are, what role you’re pursuing, and why you’d like to connect with that person.
- Follow up once. If you don’t hear back within a week, send a brief reminder. Many missed messages are the result of busy schedules, not a lack of interest.
- Always say thank you. Thank people for making an introduction, and follow up later with the outcome. Whether you get an interview, a job offer, or neither, they’ll appreciate knowing how things turned out.
Need help getting started? Visit the Vol Edge Networking Basics module for the Map Your Connections activity to identify people already in your network and connections you may not have considered.
Sample outreach language
The hardest part is sending the first message. Use these examples as a starting point, then personalize them with details about your situation and the person you’re contacting.
Career fair follow-up (within 48 hours)
Hi Ms. Smith, it was great meeting you at the UT Career Fair yesterday. I enjoyed learning more about ABC Company’s internship program, especially what you shared about opportunities for first-year students to gain project experience. I’m very interested in the Marketing Intern position we discussed and plan to apply this week. I’ve attached my resume for reference. Thank you again for your time, and I hope we can stay in touch. Smokey Dog (Your Name)
Warm-introduction request to someone you already know
Hi Dr. Johnson, I hope you’re doing well. I’m applying for the Operations Intern position at XYZ Company and noticed you’re connected to Jordan Lee on LinkedIn. Would you feel comfortable introducing us? I’d love to learn more about the company and the role from someone working there. If it’s helpful, I’m happy to draft a short message that you can forward. Thank you for considering it. Smokey Dog (Your Name)
Connecting with a UT alum at a target company
Hi Taylor, I’m a first-year student at UT Knoxville majoring in supply chain management. I came across your profile while researching careers at ABC Company and noticed that you’re also a UT alum. I was especially interested in your transition from an internship into your current role. If you have 15 to 20 minutes in the next few weeks, I’d love to hear about your experience at ABC Company and any advice you have for students interested in this field. Thanks for considering, and Go Vols! Smokey Dog (Your Name)
Turn a conversation into a job lead
Networking works best when you turn a conversation into a next step. The goal isn’t to ask for a job right away, it’s to build connections that can lead to opportunities.
- Ask for advice first. People are often more comfortable sharing advice than job leads. Try: “I’d love your perspective on getting started in this field.” The conversation will feel more natural than “Do you know of any openings?”
- Ask who else you should talk to. Before the conversation ends, ask: “Is there anyone else you think I should connect with as I explore careers in this field?” The answer is almost always yes. That’s how one conversation can quickly turn into three new connections.
- Listen for unposted openings. People mention things in passing, a team that’s growing, a role they’re trying to fill, a colleague who just left. If you hear it, follow up: “That sounds interesting, would you be open to making an introduction to the hiring manager?”
- Ask about referrals when the timing is right. If you’ve built a connection and found a role that fits your interests, be direct. Try: “Based on what we talked about, I’d love to apply for [role]. Would you feel comfortable referring me, or is there someone else I should reach out to first?” The worst they say is “not yet.”
- Stay in touch. Not every conversation leads to an opportunity right away. Send an occasional update, share a success, or check in every few months. The people you meet today may be the ones who think of you when an opportunity opens tomorrow.
Every conversation should lead to a next step: a referral, an introduction, or another conversation.
Keep building your network
Career fairs at UT
Find upcoming career fairs, workshops, employer events, and guidance on what to wear.
Networking (relationship-building basics)
Not actively searching yet? Start here. Learn how to build your network, conduct informational interviews, connect with alumni, view sample LinkedIn messages, and develop networking skills that last beyond your current search.
Connect with UT alumni on ConnectUT
Connect with Vols who have signed up to mentor and support current students. Search by company, industry, role, or location to find alumni who can share advice and career insights.
Do this next
Ready to put this into action? Choose one employer you’re interested in and spend 20 minutes researching them this week. Then identify one UT alum, recruiter, or employee you’d like to connect with and send your first message. If you’d like help building a search strategy, schedule a career coaching appointment and work one-on-one with a coach who can help you create a plan and move forward with confidence.
Want help turning your network into a job?
A career coach can help you build a target employer list, prep for a career fair, draft your outreach messages, and work through a tough warm-intro ask. Most students start with a single in-person or virtual appointment.
Career Coaching & Education
Center for Career Development & Academic Exploration
865-974-5435