Try and connect with lots of people – connect with colleagues, supervisors, friends, family, acquaintances from other community groups (like church or volunteer organizations). The more connections you have, the more potential you have to connect with new people in your field.

Follow groups on LinkedIn like Benedictine Alumni. Do a search through LinkedIn of additional groups you might want to follow. (Enter various terms in the search field at the top, then click ‘groups’ from the list on the right to filter only groups in the search.) Joining groups allows you to view other members of the groups, ask questions, and contribute to conversations online.

Also do a search of specific professional associations/organizations to follow.

When you send an invitation to connect with an individual you might not know (but who might be a fellow alum of BenU, for example, or share some other common ground with you), click on the person’s profile BEFORE clicking the “connect” button. From the profile view, when you then click “connect” you have the opportunity to personalize the note that’s emailed. This is always preferable. The note in this particular space is limited to 300 characters. An example of an invitation could be: Dear [Name], I’m a fellow BenU alum [or whatever your common ground might be] & am curious to learn more about ______. Would you be willing to have a brief chat with me via phone to talk about your career path & organization? Thank you in advance. I may be reached at [email] @ [email].com. Sincerely, NAME