The entry-level catch-22
It can feel like every listing asks for experience you haven't had the chance to build. Don't invent a professional history. Class projects, internships, campus jobs, volunteering, and independent projects are legitimate things to discuss.
Your first message should not ask a stranger to guarantee you a job. It should show what kind of work you are pursuing, what you have actually tried, and why you chose to contact them.
Who is worth contacting?
Different people can help in different ways. Check each person’s actual function before you send a message.
An alumnus in the function
Shared school experience provides a natural opening. Check that the person's actual role is relevant before messaging.
An early-career teammate
A peer a few years ahead can sometimes explain what their group does and how it hires.
A relevant recruiter
Recruiters who work with new-grad or early-career roles may be able to identify an appropriate hiring channel.
Five steps you can take
- 01
Narrow the target
Choose one company and one role—say, junior data analyst—rather than asking if they have 'anything open'.
- 02
Find one proof point
Prepare a sentence about a specific project, internship, or campus responsibility, including what you personally did.
- 03
Identify three sensible people
Look for a recruiter, someone doing that job, and possibly an alumnus on the team. Check their current roles.
- 04
Make a small request
Say why the role appeals to you and ask who handles entry-level hiring or whether the team recruits new graduates.
- 05
Follow up respectfully
One polite follow-up may be reasonable. If you hear nothing, move on rather than repeatedly nudging the same person.
A message that sounds like a person
This is an illustrative example, not a verified contact or a promise of an opening. Tailor it to your own truthful experience.
What to avoid
- Asking every alumnus for an immediate referral
- Pretending coursework was paid employment
- Copying the same generic greeting to unrelated teams
Questions people ask
Should I say I have no experience?
Be accurate, but lead with what you have done. A specific project tells more than an apology for being new.
Is contacting alumni appropriate?
Yes, if the note is respectful and personal. Sharing a school doesn't obligate someone to help.
What if there's no job posting?
Discuss the type of role generally. Don't claim a current vacancy exists.