carleton college cover letter guide

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• Last Modified: Oct 18, 2023
• Short URL: http://serc.carleton.edu/resources/20940.html What's This?

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How to Write the Carleton College Essays 2020-2021

This post has been updated! Check out our 2021-2022 Carleton essay guide .

Minnesota can get cold, but then there’s Carleton! Home to just over 2,000 undergraduates, Carleton consistently ranks at #1 for undergraduate teaching among liberal arts colleges in the U.S. and keeps up a rivalry with St. Olaf’s across town. Last year, 1,384 students were admitted from a pool of 6,893 applicants, placing the acceptance rate at 20% . 

Operating on a trimester schedule, Carleton offers 1,000+ courses across 37 majors and 33 minors. Around 75% of all alumni end up in graduate school within five years of graduation, and 75% of students also study off-campus at some point, either domestically or abroad. With a student-faculty ratio of 9:1 and an average class size of 16, Carls enjoy four years of intensive academics and a famously close-knit community. Want to know your chances at Carleton? Calculate your chances for free right now.

The school requires applicants to answer several short, essay-style questions. Keep reading to find out how to tackle those supplements! 

Want to learn what Carleton will actually cost you based on your income? And how long your application to the school should take? Here’s what every student considering Carleton needs to know.

Carleton College Supplemental Essay Prompts 

Prompt 1: When did you first learn of Carleton? (150 words)

Prompt 2: Why are you applying to Carleton? (150 words)

Prompt 3: Is there any additional information you feel we need to know regarding your application? (250 words)

Short Answers

We’d like to get to know you a bit better. Please complete the following 3 questions (each in 300 characters or less):

• I am empowered by individuals who … 
• I value community because … 
• I want to better my world by …

When did you first learn of Carleton? (150 words) 

While this prompt may only seem to require a brief, factual response, the word limit tells us that the school is actually seeking a more developed answer. Note that it’s important to differentiate your response here from that of the second prompt. While this first prompt deals with your initial exposure to Carleton, the second specifically asks about why you are applying. Thus, while you can discuss your interest in Carleton in your first response, you want to avoid too much overlap with your essay for prompt 2. You have limited space to explain “Why Carleton?” across both prompts, so plan accordingly and make all 300 words count.

Consider also that the admissions committee likely considers these answers in understanding which of their outreach methods are most effective. You should therefore make at least some mention of the method through which you initially heard of the school, be it through an email, college fair, word of mouth, etc.

A good way to start this essay might be with an anecdote about the exact moment you learned about Carleton. Note that the phrase “learn of” can be interpreted with some flexibility; while you can obviously speak about the first time you ever heard of the school, you can also discuss the moment you realized it was the perfect place for you after months of your parents pushing you to apply. Did you visit campus, or have a great conversation with a current student or alum? Focusing on a specific, significant interaction can double as evidence of your initiative in learning about Carleton. 

Notice that this question also asks when you first learned about Carleton. If your discovery of Carleton was spurred by a newfound interest in liberal arts colleges your junior year, or your conviction since your sophomore year that you wanted to leave your home on the West Coast and explore new parts of the country, you can tie in your developing interests at that period in your life with your discovery of Carleton. This offers the admissions committee insight into the process by which you decided to apply, and for how long you’ve been interested in a Carleton education.

For example, a student with two older siblings in college might have gained an understanding of the cons of the quarter and semester systems from an early age. Knowing from the beginning of their college search that they wanted an alternative to these two options, they could have discovered Carleton with its trimester system early in their junior year and had their heart set on attending ever since. Their essay could provide both a factual account of when and how the student first learned of Carleton, while also communicating the student’s lasting interest in the school and desire for a unique educational experience.

While describing your lifelong desire to attend Carleton could make for a great essay, you shouldn’t write about that if that hasn’t been your experience. Even a story of discovering the college a week before the application deadline can make for a compelling essay, so long as you communicate what exactly about it stood out to you. No matter what you choose to highlight, the key here is to be specific. Well-researched details and references will make for a more memorable essay and speak to your genuine interest in Carleton.  

Why are you applying to Carleton? (150 words)

The second question is fairly straightforward: explain why you want to be a student at Carleton College. The challenge here is fitting a compelling narrative in a mere 150 words. 

Remember that all your essays, including those answering the “ Why this college? ” prompts, are ultimately opportunities to showcase who you are, what you value, and how you think. While you may be tempted to extol the virtues of Carleton here, the admissions committee already knows that their school is great. Focus on selling yourself and making the connection between you and Carleton. 

Again, the key to answering these “Why this College?” questions is to hone in on specifics of the school that stand out to you. If you’re really interested in the physical sciences — a Carleton strength — do some research on the college’s website and mention specific courses and opportunities that appeal to you. Maybe you’re especially drawn to their 3-2 engineering program with Columbia and WashU, and want to take the Paleoclimate class or attend the Geology Department’s annual field trips, which have journeyed to Death Valley and Hawaii in past years. Or maybe you’re a free-spirited artist drawn to Carleton’s strong sense of community and quirky students, and want to propose ceramic hairstyle arrangements for Schiller (research this one!) as part of your senior Comp in studio art. 

Regardless of which details you mention, be sure to link the aspects and opportunities of Carleton with specifics about you, your interests, and your goals. While you want to demonstrate your fit with Carleton, the short word count requires getting to the point as fast as possible. An example of a bad way to approach this prompt would be to provide too much autobiographical information in your response and fail to make your response tailored to Carleton. 

For instance, if you want to talk about your interest in biology, don’t spend the majority of the prompt telling the story of that one time you went on a camping trip and became fascinated with other organisms, and then only mention the school in the last two sentences.

Lastly, think strategically about how this prompt fits in a broader narrative about yourself that you have set up in other parts of your application. If your Common Application essay was all about a specific academic interest or pursuing individualism within a learning community, this could present a good opportunity to contextualize those aspects to Carleton specifically. 

Prompt 3 (optional)

Is there any additional information you feel we need to know regarding your application (250 words).

This prompt is optional, and you do not need to provide a response unless you have a compelling reason to do so. The Common App already has an additional information section that will be sent to all your schools; you can read more about this in our blog post about what to write in the additional information section . 

As that section allows you to clarify unique circumstances or explain unflattering parts of your application with 650 words, there are few instances where you will need to send another 250-word addendum specifically to Carleton. In the very rare cases (e.g. you are applying early decision and there is some aspect of your application requiring additional, context-specific clarification) that a statement here would be beneficial to your candidacy, we strongly suggest that you make use of our free peer essay review service to get feedback. 

Please complete the following 3 questions (each in 300 characters or less):

I am empowered by individuals who…, i value community because…, i want to better my world by….

Carls have a reputation for being quirky above all, so here’s your chance to express how you exhibit this trait! In past years, the premise for these prompts was to not take them (or yourself) too seriously, and while recent events may make the third prompt a little more down-to-earth, we still suggest using the other two to highlight fun aspects of your personality, unique hobbies, or amusing goals — anything about you that hasn’t been discussed at length in other parts of your application. The admissions office is looking for a sense of humor and a more complete picture of who you are, so it’s really just a personality contest! Your goal is to leave a lasting impression, so try to be as specific as possible and don’t worry about going up to the character limit.

The first prompt is asking who inspires you, so consider the types of people you surround yourself with or the people that you look up to, and see if you can draw attention to any specific traits. Note that this is in no way a limitation on the range of answers, as you can be semi-serious and actually describe who you like to hang out with, or highlight offbeat passions, or reference nerdy interests! You can also do any sort of combinations you’d like, and if you’re really struggling, try a well-curated list. (However, avoid just doing lists for all of these prompts.) Here are some examples:

I am empowered by individuals who… 

• meme (proudly but) excessively about their new procrastination habits in the age of COVID-19, preferably at 3 in the morning whilst starting their soon-to-be-due problem sets. 
• insist on playing bishop C4 on the second move, but still reject my pawn sacrifices later in the midgame.
• dislike capitalism, finger puppets, Shakespeare, or all twelve of my stunningly attractive Leghorn chickens …*shrugs*

The second prompt checks in on your sense of community. This is critically important for Carleton, being a small liberal arts college in the middle of almost nowhere! Your interactions with others will have more resonance in such a tight group, and the admissions office is interested in what you might contribute. 

Start by reflecting on aspects of your current communities that you genuinely appreciate — whether it be a sports team, a workplace, your church, or anywhere else you consider a community — and see if anything lines up with the research you’ve conducted on Carleton. (Legend has it that besides quirkiness, Carls are generally nerdy, funny, warm, and humble.) For this prompt, you can also be a little more straightforward and less focused on showing off your incredible personality, but we would still advise some humor or passion where possible. Here are some examples:

• mine frequently consist of hysterically funny, heartwarmingly kind, and surprisingly socially competent caffeine addicts. 
• after five hours of vigorous debate and speculation on what could happen if that pile of rubble had moved a few feet over, we found it in ourselves to (conditionally) forgive Game of Thrones: Season 8. 
• of that rush I get every time we perform — the lights, the movement, the feeling of home and that magic of creating something together, lasting only a moment yet greater than anything we could ever achieve alone. 

The third prompt checks in on your passion for learning, sense of civic duty, and future ambitions. In light of recent events and since Carleton offers top-notch instruction, the admissions committee wants to see that you have plans for using your education to empower others, advance knowledge, and contribute to society. If this sentiment has been expressed in one of your other essays — be it the Common App or Why Carleton prompts — you can again opt for a more humorous, personality-filled response: any unanswered question or unresolved problem could work. Other applicants, however, will want to more clearly express their desire to contribute; when in doubt, look for a personal connection. Some examples:

• studying ADHD symptoms and diagnoses in populations that aren’t white men, helping to tear down systemic barriers in healthcare access and equity, education, and life outcomes for BIPOC children and women. 
• exploring the challenges posed to carnivores in mitigating climate change, starting with my fellow humans but also in considering any darling coyotes I’d be sharing the Arb with. 
• figuring out why the chicken did actually cross the road, as this would finally provide some closure to the countless millions who have pondered this question. (It’s also a matter of intellectual curiosity, as mine don’t seem to care about getting to the other side?)

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Cover Letters

The role of cover letters.

Your resume never travels alone. Each time you submit your resume to an employer, you should enclose a cover letter.  Your cover letter plays an important role in telling your story by showing how the skills from your resume connect to the skills sought in the job or internship description.  If your cover letter addresses relevant skills, your chances of getting an interview increases.

For a deeper dive, check out the video at the bottom of this page.

This Quick Guide will break down the components of a cover letter.

• Cover Letter Guide

Sample Cover Letters:  While the principles of cover letter writing are consistent across fields, here are some examples from different industries.

• View Cover Letter Samples
• Health/Stem Cover Letter and Resume Example

Feedback is available during our drop-in hours or through an appointment with a Career Engagement Specialist (CES).  It is generally a good idea to start with drop-ins and then meet with a CES.

This quick video will teach you the key strategies for writing a cover letter that connects your skills to the skills that are sought.

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Center for Purposeful Work Opportunities and Programs

Cover letter guide.

Writing a Cover Letter 

The purpose of a cover letter is to introduce yourself to a prospective employer and explain why you are sending your resume. Therefore, a cover letter should accompany every resume and application.

For a cover letter to be most effective, it should demonstrate the following:

• How your education and experiences qualify you for the position; 
• How your skills align with the position; 
• How your values and enthusiasm match the organization’s core mission and philosophy.  

Before you begin, do some research and ask yourself:

• What needs of the organization does this role fill?
• Why are you interested in this role and organization?
• What are the expressed values of the organization and do you share them?
• What special characteristic, product, or recent news about the organization excites you?

How to Write a Cover Letter 

Opening Paragraph – To begin your cover letter think about: 

• Why you are interested in this field 
• Why you are interested in this organization and position 
• What is the purpose of your letter (e.g., to apply for a full-time position or an internship) 
• How you discovered the opening and/or the organization (e.g., a personal referral, or Handshake) 

Body of your letter – For this paragraph (or two) think about: 

• Review the job description to determine the qualifications the employer is requiring; identify which skills you have that match the job description 
• Include your personal traits that are applicable to the organization’s needs (e.g., “My passion for equal access to education led me to research and write my thesis about…”) 
• Demonstrate your applicable experience by telling a very brief story – with a result – about a relatable accomplishment you have had. 

Closing Paragraph – Make sure you are clear about: 

• How and where you can be contacted 
• Conveying a positive attitude and your appreciation for being considered 
• When and how you will follow up, if appropriate. Follow-up is appropriate only if the employer asks you to do so or if you are sending your resume when there is no specific job posted. Always read and follow any instructions you receive from an employer. 

Meaningful Tips for Writing Your Letter 

• Look carefully at the qualifications and responsibilities in the job description; be sure to highlight your academic, extracurricular, and/or internship/ experiences that match the position; reveal how you can add value to the organization 
• Communicate your enthusiasm, but keep sentences short and clear; use active, not passive, verbs . For example, use “investigated”, “gathered”, “evaluated” instead of “was responsible for investigating, gathering, or evaluating” (see the Resume Guide for a list of action verbs) 
• Begin the second paragraph with a topic sentence ; consider the main points you wish to make and then create a sentence that introduces those ideas 
• Vary your writing – do not start every sentence with “I”. Use “I” sparingly. 
• There is no “right way” or specific writing style for a cover letter; your letter should reflect who you are and your writing ability 
• Proofread your letter to ensure that it is error-free; sometimes one typo can cause your letter (and your chance at the job) to end up in the discard pile 

Business Letter Format 

In order for your letter to be considered professional, it needs to be in business format. Typically block style formatting is recommended. This format requires that you justify every line along the left-hand margin. The header you use on your resume is fine for the header on your cover letter. 

See below for an example of what your business letter format should look like. 

Saving and Emailing Your Letter 

• Save your cover letter and resume as PDFs. File names should include your name for easy identification. 
• Also, include your name and the position for which you are applying in the subject line of the email. 
• Compose a short email explaining to the employer that your cover letter and resume are attached. 

Have Your Letter Reviewed by the Bates Center for Purposeful Work 

For a review of your cover letter draft, stop by the Bates Center for Purposeful Work in Chase Hall during our Drop-In Hours, make an appointment with an advisor, or send an email with your cover letter draft to [email protected].

Cover Letter Content and Format 

Your present address City, State, Zip Code 

Date of Letter 

First and Last name (Omit title such as Mr./Ms./Dr. in this line) Title of Contact Name of Organization Street Address City, State Zip Code 

Dear Mr./Ms./Dr. Last Name : If you do not know the recipient’s gender identity, use the first and last name e.g. “Dear Cory Smith:” . If you do not have the name of a specific person, try to get it. Review the job description closely for any details, research LinkedIn, or ask an internal contact for suggestions on how to address your cover letter. Do not write “Dear Sir or Madam” or “To whom it may concern.” If it is impossible to find the recipient’s name, address the letter generally by title, “Dear Human Resources Manager,” “Dear Hiring Manager,” “Dear Research Department Representative,” or by organization, “Dear IDEXX Representative.” Use a colon after the greeting. Dear ___________ : 

Opening Paragraph: This paragraph is intended to express your interest and fit with the position, organization, and/or field. Include a sentence or two summarizing your interest and fit. Try to make it interesting, and find a way to incorporate specific information about the organization to demonstrate your genuine interest. If applicable, describe how you heard about this opening or internship. If a person referred you to the organization, mention the person’s name and connection to the organization: “Nancy Smith, who is an alumna of Bates College, suggested that I contact you.” 

Body Paragraphs: This section consists of one or two paragraphs in which you tell the employer why you are a strong candidate for the position. Emphasize the employer’s needs – not your own. Demonstrate your ability and desire to perform the functions of the position by providing examples from your work, academic, and/or extracurricular experiences. You may want to expand on your interest in the position and/or career field referencing specific academic and work experiences. 

Organize your paragraphs according to skills, not experiences. Don’t simply include a separate paragraph about your experience; make the connection between the skills the employer seeks and your experiences that support your qualification for the job. For example, demonstrate strong writing skills by referencing two or three accomplishments related to writing. If possible, also identify a couple of personal qualities that pertain to the job and make you a strong candidate (i.e., responsible, hard-working.) Try to offer specific examples of where these qualities have been demonstrated. 

Closing Paragraph: Indicate your desire to arrange a mutually convenient time to interview; state when and how you will contact the employer, as well as how he/she may contact you. If you plan to visit the city where the organization is located, mention this because employers may be more apt to meet with you. Re-emphasize your interest in the position, thank the individual, and mention that you are looking forward to meeting him or her. 

Sincerely, 

Type Your Name (you don’t need a cursive signature on an electronic copy)

Sample Language for Cover Letter Sections 

Below are some sample sentences and phrases to help you get over a writing block if you’re having trouble with any of the paragraphs on the previous page. 

HOWEVER, REMEMBER: the Cover Letter is your opportunity to demonstrate your own ability to express an argument, prove a point, and write a skillful letter. Be sure to use your own words and customize your letter to the position you’re applying to, and to your own voice. 

Opening Paragraph Sentences: “I n May, I will be graduating from Bates College with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and am writing to apply for the lab assistant position at Jackson Labs that is posted in Handshake.” “When I heard about the Analyst Internship at REI from my advisor Professor Retelle, I was excited about the potential of working for an organization that offers a product I use and admire.” “I am reaching out to you today to discuss…” “I am writing to apply for the XX position at XX, Inc., in the Portland, Maine office…” 

Body Paragraph Sample Language: Sometimes it’s hard to transition from your accomplishments to how they relate to the job you’re applying for: “In my (X course) this semester, I have been able to collect and analyze data using Stata and SPSS. I am excited to bring these skills to IDEXX to help a business I admire make crucial decisions.” “From my internship project management experience, I have a strong understanding of XXX, and am eager to learn more about outdoor education from the LLBean perspective.” 

Closing Paragraph: Think short and simple, but include all the elements noted on the previous page. “I have attached my resume and look forward to discussing my qualifications with you.” “Thank you for your time and consideration.” “I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my interest and qualifications with you in the near future.” “Please feel free to contact me through email at [email protected] or by phone at (617)-555-3333.” 

Kind Regards, Sincerely, Best Regards, Yours Truly, (whichever of these feels best to you)

How To Write a Cover Letter With Examples

Cover letters can help differentiate you from other job applicants and be the determining factor of landing your dream job. By taking the time to craft a custom cover letter, a single sheet of paper can help communicate all the human elements that a resume may fall short of capturing about yourself. 

But what do employers and recruiters have to say about how to write a cover letter? What are the best tips they have to offer for graduate students who are writing a cover letter?

We asked 11 employers for their best cover letter tips. Here is what they had to share.

Let it Set the Stage

In many ways, cover letters should provide background information and context to your resume, while simultaneously addressing how that resume addresses the specific requirements of the job opportunity. The cover letter is your opportunity to "set the stage" and to convince the hiring manager why your specific set of skills, experiences and interests will provide value to their team and its objectives.

Andrew Horrigan '11 BSBA (Management Information Systems), Product Manager at Cisco

Research the Hiring Manager

If possible, find out who the hiring manager is and look them up on LinkedIn. Do your research on the company you're applying for. What's their mission statement and how do they portray their company culture? Hopefully what you're looking for in a job is reflected by those things. Make sure the hiring manager knows that and understands who you are and what drives you. A resume is often about as robotic as things can be. Make sure your cover letter is the opposite—personalize it and let yourself shine through.

Joshua Schlag ’05 BS (Computer Science) ’11 MBA, Digital Marketing Manager at Pyramid Analytics

Utilize Career Development Resources

The University of Arizona and Eller College of Management go to great lengths to make sure students are prepared for their impending career journey. Because cover letters are so important to getting your foot in the door, there are several career development resources online and on campus to take advantage of. The university’s cover letter builder serves as a nice template to get started. And of course, it never hurts to make an appointment with an Eller Career Coach through eSMS to have a professional review your letter before submission. 

Brett Farmiloe, ’06 BSBA (Accounting), Founder, Featured

Discover Past Samples of the Position

Do your research on the company and personalize your cover letter to the role for which you are applying. Don't be afraid to Google, "How to write a good cover letter for X position." Seriously, it helps! There is so much information out there from various perspectives—applicants, hiring managers, etc. Most importantly be yourself and let your personality come through. And don't forget to spell check!

Mariam Nikola '17 MS MIS, Consultant at Point B

Highlight Your Soft Skills

When writing a professional cover letter, there are a couple things you can do to set yourself apart from the pack. First, make sure you tailor your letter to the specific position you are applying for. This should not be a general, "one size fits all" letter—be sure to discuss specific details surrounding the role or the company itself. Secondly, this is an opportunity for you to show a little bit of your personality. Obviously, you want to remain professional, but this is a great time to highlight some of your soft skills that might not be fully conveyed through your resume.  

Brian Ellis ’17 BSBA (Management), Staffing Manager at Randstad Office and Administrative Professionals

Fill in the “Why” Gaps

As a talent advisor, I review a lot of applicants and agree that a cover letter can be a great way to stand apart, if it is done correctly. A great cover letter for me covers the ‘why’ that I cannot understand from just a resume alone. It should clearly state why you are interested in the role, what your goals are for utilizing your graduate degree (if recently graduated) and explain any career pivots reflected on your resume. If you answer those questions in a direct, concise manner it will add value to your application.

Monica Larson , ’11 BSBA (Marketing) ‘20 MBA, Talent Advisor

Tell Your Story

A cover letter is your opportunity to tell your story—tying your experience and personal interests into why you want a position and why you are the best candidate for it. Paint the picture of your journey and what about the position excites you personally and professionally. Similar to your resume, keep it short and sweet. No need to repeat what’s already on your resume. Recruiters and hiring managers don’t have time to comb through a novel, so you need to engage them with as few words as possible while also grabbing their attention.

Kelly Castoro, ’06 BA (Spanish, Portuguese), Project Manager at Squarespace

Tailor Each Cover Letter to the Position You Are Applying

Be sure to research the role and customize your cover letter for each position, relating your experience to the particular role you are applying for. Personalization is key—research who you are sending the cover letter to and address the letter to them directly. End your letter with a call to action, stating you will follow up by phone or email if you haven’t heard from anyone. Follow ups are very important! 

Jessica Rosenzweig, ’15 BSBA (Business Management), Account Manager at PeopleWare Staffing

Communicate Bankability and Personality 

Your cover letter answers two crucial questions; are you bankable and are you someone the company will enjoy working with? Communicate bankability with your knowledge of the company, industry and why your skills, capabilities and interests are a great fit. Share your passion for their mission, culture, brand—whatever excites you about becoming a member of their team.  

When conveyed through a concise, well-formulated, well-worded cover letter, you demonstrate the ability to write an effective business case—communicating that you are a ready professional and worthy teammate who will hit the ground running.

Theresa L Garcia, ’83 BSBA (Human Resources), Senior Change Management and Organization Capability Consultant at Boeing

Keep it Concise but Compelling

A cover letter is your chance to speak directly to the hiring team and tell them why you are not only the best match for the position for which you are applying but also give them additional insight into yourself as an individual that is less visible from your experience.

A great cover letter should be attention grabbing and touch upon the qualities that make you stand out from others in the applicant pool, highlight both your recent and most distinguished accomplishments and drive home why you are the right person for the job. Professionalism is always important, but don’t be hesitant to put your voice into the letter to let your personality shine through. Research the company, understand where they currently are, where they are going and show why you are the right person to get them from point A to point B. Recruiters spend a lot of time reviewing applicants and making yourself stand apart from the crowd is key. Keep it concise but compelling!

Matt Reineberg, ’14 BSBA (Marketing), Senior Talent Acquisition Sourcer at Cox Enterprises

Highlight the “Why”

Why are you applying to this company? Why do you want this position? Your cover letter should aim to answer the why behind applying for the job. Conveying an interest and excitement for working specifically for this job at this company, rather than a desire to get any job anywhere that will give you money, can go a long way. Show the company that they should hire you and your passion over someone that might have the skills needed for the job, but doesn’t care about the work as much as you do. 

Ryan Nouis, Trupath 

Ready to Learn More?

Building Your Career Network

It’s been said that 80% of jobs are made through informal offers; that is, they’re never even posted online or printed in newspapers. This means that the importance of the Carleton network — and chances for alumni and students to meet, network, and connect — are more important than ever.

Whether you are beginning your job search, investigating careers and organizations, or seeking information about internships, Carleton alumni serve as excellent research resources, providing you approach them in a professional manner. With the advent of the online alumni directory, informational interviews can easily be arranged and executed, providing you with a valuable view of your potential profession.

Although contacting alumni may seem daunting, be assured that most are definitely willing to offer their knowledge and advice.

Benefits of networking

• Increased insight into a career field, organization, or specific job
• Awareness of available internship and summer job opportunities
• Reinforced assessment of your interests and needs
• Greater confidence in job and internship interview situations
• Industry contacts

If correctly utilized, alumni contacts can help you build a powerful career network, which is vital today as two-thirds of the workforce secure jobs through personal contacts. To enhance your alumni networking experience, read through the pages below on the networking process, questions to ask alums, and etiquette tips, including the following:

• View an email as you would a cover letter; it’s a professional contact
• Check spelling and grammar
• Check alumni gender so you know whether to say Mr. or Ms.
• Choose a professional tone rather than informality
• Always follow up to let the alum know what has happened as a result of your interactions with them

View the Networking Guide for more tips and tricks.