Asking for a reference/recommendation when you haven't kept in touch

Career Launch August 2017

August Greetings! This month we're talking about grad school -- how to know when (or if) you should go, tips for choosing a program, and Tufts resources to help you. Whether you're thinking about applying this fall or in a few years, this issue is for you. Don't need grad school info? No problem. Check out this month's career events, job listings and free career webinars.  Discuss Grad School Options with a Career Advisor Spotlight on ... Grad School Decision-Making Roughly 77% of Tufts grads tell us they plan to pursue graduate education after their undergraduate work. Reasons vary: perhaps it's necessary for moving up in one's career or perhaps it will facilitate the transition to a new field. Whatever the impetus, Tufts alumni career advisors can help. We regularly discuss things like when to go, where to apply, how to finance programs and what to do to strengthen application materials. Read these tips and make an appointment if grad school is in your future. Apply to Grad School: Advice from the Career Center Where Do Tufts Grads Go? Grad School Destinations by Major Should I Go to Grad School? 5 Questions to Make Sure it's the Right Move Criteria for Choosing a Graduate Program Review a Grad School Application Timeline from Idealist.org Bonus: The Idealist Grad School Resource Center offers great info for applying, financing your program, considering alternatives to grad school, and more. Whether you're considering a social impact career or something else, it's worth a look. FAQ of the Month I want to ask someone for a reference, but I haven’t done a great job of keeping in touch with him/her. What should I do? Hey, it happens. You intend to stay in contact with someone and life gets in the way. Think about the following as you reach out: Be honest. Don't disguise your reasons for getting back in touch. If writing an email, you might say, "Dear Jane, I know it's been a long time, and I'd really like to hear what you've been up to since we last spoke. I'm also writing because I'm applying for [grad program, position], and I think you're still the best person to speak to my [experience, abilities]. Do you mind if I give you a quick call sometime to discuss this?" Be as helpful as possible. In a phone call or in-person meeting, share your reasons for applying to the job or grad program. Explain why you think this person's reference will help you. Give him/her your resume and a copy of the job description. If applying to grad school, provide an overview of the program and all the necessary forms (e.g., envelope with stamp!) that the recommender will need. Be prepared to hear 'no.' If the person doesn't feel comfortable writing a recommendation or giving a reference, don't force it. A lukewarm endorsement isn't in your best interest anyway. Explore your backup options and talk to a career advisor to strategize. The Right (and Wrong) Way to Ask Someone to Be a Reference Alumni Career Webinars Offered by the Career Center & Tufts Alumni Association, these FREE hour-long presentations feature career experts speaking on a variety of topics. There are dozens of archived webinars available via the Webinars Library tab, including: How to Build Your Brand Online Powerful Phrases for a Successful Interview How to Write a Killer Resume Check out the Free Webinar Library Featured Listings in Handshake Fellow -- Tufts Institute of Environment, Medford, MA Associate - Asia Business Development & Regulatory Consulting -- Pacific Bridge Medical, Bethesda, MD Nonprofit Financial Administrator -- Work for Progress, Boston, MA Junior Environmental Due Diligence Consultant -- Environmental Resources Management (ERM), Hartford, CT Account Executive -- Architizer, New York, NY Intern Coordinator -- Columbia University, Teachers College, New York, NY Associate Consultant (part-time) -- AchieveMission, remote work from Boston, NY or DC ELA/Social Studies Teacher, Grades 4, 5 & 6 -- Collegiate Charter School of Lowell, Lowell, MA Career Fairs, Events and Special Opportunities Boston MBA Forté Forum for Women -- Tuesday, August 15, 6 - 9 pm Idealist Grad Fair -- Monday, September 25, Boston (visit site for additional cities and dates) Schwarzman Scholars Program -- 1-year expenses-paid MA in Global Affairs at Tsinghua University in Beijing (apply by Sept. 28) Meet Handshake -- Our New Job Database Tufts alumni now have access to Handshake, a database with 500,000+ opportunities posted by 120,000 companies, non-profits and government organizations. Explore Handshake Want to network with Tufts alumni in your field? Register for the new Tufts Online Community and join the Tufts Career Networking Group on LinkedIn to make career connections today! Career Launch is a publication of Tufts Alumni Career Services. Alumni Career Services is a lifelong resource for alumni of AS&E and the SMFA. Contact us for assistance as you navigate your career path. In-person, phone, email and Skype appointments are available.

Tufts University Career Center   9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday Dowling Hall Suite 740 617-627-3299 See Calendar

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