Keeping in touch with contacts - post-internship/job/informational interview etc.

[Cicciolina]

If you're a regular of the Internship thread ( http://www.thefashionspot.com/forums/f90/all-about-internships-work-experience-placements-34819.html ) and you've scored a great internship, how can you help it benefit you after you've done it? Likewise, if you've left a job, had a great informational interview, what else can you do afterwards?

I wanted to post this within the Internship Thread itself but I thought it was pretty important and also overlapped with things aren't related to interning (such as leaving jobs and informational interviews) and want to discuss ideas with everyone else.

I'm not entirely sure myself how to approach contacts you've made through these situations - though I'm going to guess that email is going to trump phone calling, especially if you're in another state or country, though I stand to be corrected. Naturally too, you'll send out thank you emails/notes - but what comes after that?

Just wondering if anyone had any tips out there on how to 'touch base' with contacts, not even necessarily for a job but just to keep in touch in a friendly, genuine way.
eg:
- What do you write in your emails?
- Would you email them to update them on what you've done?
- Would you not email them at all (perfectly understandable - I'm always scared of irritating them!)
- Would you email them to say Happy Holidays/Christmas/etc?
- No response (they are very busy people after all) to your email - what to do?
- etc etc

 

[pout306]

GGGGGGGGREATT Idea!!

 

[Raven_McCoy]

Great thread!

I think the occasional email can do wonders, and if you had a closer relationship and they live in the same city maybe lunch.

Never underestimate the power of a hand-written letter though if you have something to thank them for. Not many people do that anymore so they'll certainly know it was appreciated.

In general I'd say get in touch with them at least twice a year, three times a year is good, four times might be a little too much. It really depends on how long and how closely you worked with them though.

 

[karmacouture]

the idea of a handwritten letter is a wonderful one...

 

[mynn_plastic]

Yes, I'd like to know more about it too.

 

[Fontenrose]

Christmas is a great excuse to send a handmade postcard. If it's clever they'll put it up around their desk for a while. That keeps you in mind.

 

[Cicciolina]

I like the handwritten idea definitely - and holidays I think are a good time to send out cards as mentioned. Hmmm I actually adore making cards but I'm not sure if my talents are up to scratch, or will it feel a bit naff

Personally, I find it difficult to make sure the emails to them are genuinely nice and not sounding needy and desperate for contacts and 'networking' (though I'm not, but you know).

Another tip - keep the emails short! (Admittedly I have a huge problem with this, I'm naturally very long-winded).

 

[Cicciolina]

Ok just wanted to bump this up!

I emailed some contacts yesterday and have yet to receive replies, I know they're busy but it always stresses me out I feel like I'm annoying them

 

[SamanthaBNYC]

I like using the professional networking sites, such as LinkedIn.com, pulse.plaxo.com, and Haute.net. You add your information (where you attended school, companies you've worked for, etc.) and can invite people into your network (you can search for members to see if people you've worked with are on the site). Plus, when you or one of your contacts changes jobs, it comes up in the network updates section.
Another easy way to break the ice with an e-mail without feeling annoying is to send "Friends & Family" discount notifications. Everyone loves getting a discount, and most of them will usually send a thank you. That way, you don't have to feel like you're imposing on anyone. It's a bit of a backdoor way to network, but it shows that you're considerate and thoughtful.

 

[gius]

Usually if I have met someone I found interesting at work
I would have given them more time and attention during my time there.
--So I'd had gotten to know a little more about them, what they like, etc more so than other people
things that may or may not be work-related, etc. --It creates an opportunity to spark up future conversations imo

If you see an upcoming exhibition you think they might like, there's a chance to write an e-mail (as usually snail mail will take too long-- You could use snail mail if you e-mailed them first for example to tell them you got say brochures of something they might like and could mail to them)
You could then add a how-are-you
and just lead up to your end question, whatever that is

There's one place I interned at where my boss even had a blog
so I actually get into regular contact with her
Sometimes I get no replies, so I feel a phone call is best, much more personal

And then I have another person I met long time ago, his business card
and I feel it's been so long that I contacted him that I'd rather see him face-to-face to say thanks and a hello... that it would be give off a much better and personal impression
And there are a couple of these persons in the same category, that I could meet in person
They are all local anyway and my 'field' is so closely-knit it's easy to bump into another person

But yeah the main thing I emphasize would be to show whomever you like at where you worked, that you are really interested in them and would like to know them for a longer time

I met another person just today actually *buzz* I'll see them again throughout this week, so sooner or later I will have his contacts in my hand
It's nice especially if the interest is reciprocated

 

[Fabulyss]

A wonderful topic indeed! I've got a bit of a gripe though...


I'm incredibly competitive, professional, and focused on succeeding...however, I find maintaining contacts to be utterly exhausting.

I've given my all and then some for people that have - out of nowhere- decided to cease contact with me. I don't understand it at all. I've always gotten along really well with everyone I've ever worked with, and our collaborations have always been fruitful. Is it because I'm still in the 'assisting' stage and they can't afford to start paying me? Whatever the reason I find it terribly rude and discouraging.

 

[gius]

You wrote you are competitive and focused on succeeding.. If that's always on your mind, maybe you give off a bad impression to your contacts? That they might think you're only out to get something from them

In that sense I just focus on the contacts who are similar personality-wise. Easier to make & stay friends with them..

 

[christrinity]

Facebook!

Honestly so much networking/keeping in contact with people is done this way nowadays!
I did an internship in Paris for four months after finishing my year at university there over the summer in the PR office of one of the LVMH fashion brands and had an AMAZING time and worked really hard. During the process of being there I added the facebooks of two of the four others in the PR office with me, and so I just keep in contact with them that way! I also added other interns in other departments to my facebook.
While I had to go back home to Ireland to finish my degre, a lot of those people got offered longer contracts or went to work at other companies within LVMH like Givenchy etc. Hence I am automatically opening up my network to outside the brand where I worked.
I find that just the odd hi here and there, oh how are things back in PAris, I miss u gys helpend me sufficiently.
I have now just been asked by the girl I used to work in the PR office with if I would be interested in translating all the Press Releases from the office from French to English as they felt I did such a good job at it while I was there and also to say that they want me to come back and work full time in May after my degree is rapped up and I'm free to come back to Paris!
I sound like I'm advertising a particular website but u know wat I mean hopefully, any social networking site like this allows u just to leave a small comment here and there without having to go to the trouble of a long email where u feel u need a reason to write one! Unless of course ur comfortable enough to write one just saying hey wats up?!lol
I do also agree with the sending a card at Xmas etc, great way to keep urself in the forefront of their minds as it will undoubtedly be talked about and stuck up in the office etc!

 

[IloveDiorHomme]

What should I write in my motivation letter ? No idea, except ' I 'm motivated ' to ' I like your brand '

 

[BerlinRocks]

^you should try another thread ....
like this one
http://www.thefashionspot.com/forums/f90/all-about-internships-work-experience-placements-34819.html

and especially this one
http://www.thefashionspot.com/forum...v-s-cover-letters-jobs-internships-30492.html
All about Resumes / CV's and Cover Letters for Jobs and Internships

 

[harlen]

Facebook!

Facebook is good--try LinkedIn as well. It's a bit more of "professional" networking site, versus a social networking site!

 

[Cicciolina]

I find Facebook better for peers (ie fellow interns). I've added a few of my seniors on Facebook, but I don't speak too much to them.

The occasional email has done wonders though

 

[Cicciolina]

Bumping this up - it's now after the holiday period, I hope all those who wanted to keep in contact with people they met did touch base with them with a brief 'happy holidays' at least!