Welcome to the new Career Services website! If you have any thoughts or suggestions on the new site, please share them with us.

Making & Maintaining Connections

Networking through informational interviews is all about connecting with others who share similarities with you–whether it’s being a Swattie to having similar career interests, this is an effective tool to learn about career pathways.

Its purpose isn’t to “schmooze” your way into an offer; rather it’s to identify people in your network (Swarthmore, personal, etc) who you can call upon for their knowledge. It’s up to you to apply that knowledge to make sure your application materials are competitive for that industry, organization or job function.

Conversation topics include:

  • Answers to specific questions
  • Career advice
  • Insight about a job or internship announcement you’ve seen posted
  • Tips on how to gain experience or break into their line of work

 

A group of people working together sitting at a table with their laptops.

Where to Network

Use LinkedIn and Alumni Directory to research and contact alumni to learn about career paths. Use LinkedIn to search and identify alumni, and then use the Alumni Directory to contact them.

Someone explaining something both looking at a computer screen.

How to Initiate Contact

Once you’ve identified alumni to connect with, email them to set up informational interviews. Info interviews should be used to learn about career paths, gain knowledge in a specific industry, organization, or job function; they aren’t used strictly for the purpose of “getting a job.” The info you gain from informational interviews should be used to better inform you on how to best prepare your application materials!

woman on a headset talking to someone

What to Ask During the Info Interview

Before speaking with the individual, learn what you can about the contact/alum and their place of work. Develop a list of open-ended questions that will help you achieve your goal of the conversation.

man using his phone and computer responding to a message

After the Info Interview

Make sure to send a “thank you” email letting your contact know you’re grateful for the time and info they shared with you. If you haven’t connected with them on LinkedIn yet, this would be an opportune time to do that as well. As your plans start to develop, keep them posted–your contacts like to know that their info helped lead you to an offer!

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Career & Industry Guides

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Career Resources

Swarthmore Alumni Online Community

This online community allows Swarthmore alumni to connect with each other as well as mentor current students.

Request an Interview Room

Complete this form to reserve a worry-free space for your important call or interview. You will receive an email confirmation …

Networking 101 Guide
Swarthmore Alumni on LinkedIn

Filter Swarthmore grads by location, organization, skill set, what they studied or key word.

Swatties Helping Swatties

This LinkedIn Group is comprised of Swarthmore alumni, students and parents promoting networking and mentoring opportunities.

CareerShift

CareerShift was created to help job seekers successfully navigate the published and hidden job market to find career opportunities. Use this resource …

Contact & Location

Phone
(610) 328–8352
Address

500 College Ave.
Parrish Hall 135
Swarthmore, PA 19081

Career Service Hours

M 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
T 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
W 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
TH 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
F 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Office closed daily from 12–1pm for lunch.