This letter is designed to generate informational interviews - not job interviews - which allow you to meet individuals who can give you specific information about your intended career (see Informational Interviewing handout available from the Career Center). Your purpose for seeking informational interviews may vary, but your reasons for wanting to meet with a contact person must be genuine and sincere. Informational interviewing, or "networking," has been tainted in recent years by job seekers who misuse this approach, but it remains a viable way to conduct job market research, refine career goals, and uncover vacancy information in an industry or a geographical region. Informational interviewing is not a magic shortcut to employment. It requires solid preparation, sincerity, and much effort. The networking letter is the first step in the informational interviewing process. (Sample Networking Letter)
