Even more important to the job search than a resume or cover letter is your networking strategy. There are three main reasons for this:

  1. Over 70% of the jobs filled in the United States are never posted. They are filled through a company’s network. If you aren’t networking, you’re missing out on a LOT of jobs.
  2. An internal referral is almost guaranteed to lead to an interview. Some companies even pay their employees bonuses if their recommendation leads to a hire! Networking is the only way to get this kind of referral.
  3. Networking is also extremely valuable when you are exploring your different career options. Nobody can answer your questions about financial advising, consulting, or data analysis better than a financial advisor, consultant, or data analyst.

Yet networking is challenging for most people. Below, you’ll learn tips and strategies to use this most effective job search tool.

What is Networking, Really?

Forget about stuffy suits, forced small talk, and trading business cards with strangers. Networking is just making friends and building relationships with people who share your interests.

Think of it as a strategic conversation. You aren't asking a stranger for a job. You are reaching out to learn from their experiences and get advice. Once a relationship is built, asking for job leads and referrals becomes a natural next step.

The Secret Weapon: The Informational Interview

What is it? An informational interview is just a 15-to-20-minute informal chat with someone working in a field, company, or role that interests you. It is NOT a job interview. It’s your chance to ask insider questions, learn how they got started, and get real-world advice.

How to Network in 4 Simple Steps

The Feller Center breaks networking down into an easy, repeatable process:

  1. Map Your Network: Make a list of everyone you know, regardless of their job—you never know who they might know! Use this network tracking template to organize your contacts and track your progress.

  2. Reach Out: Request a quick 15–20 minute chat to learn about their career path. Want a script or sample questions? Check out the Feller Center’s comprehensive guide to informational interviewing. 

  3. Prepare for the Chat: Craft a 30-second introduction, introduction about yourself, review these "dress to impress" tips, and have a polished resume ready just in case they ask to see it.
  4. Follow Up: Statistically, this is where the magic happens! Send a quick thank-you note within 24 hours.

Need a personalized game plan? Make an appointment with our Economics Career Outreach Strategist.

Where to Find Your Network

As a UMD Economics major, you are already backed by a massive network of Terps working in top-tier industries across the country. Here is where to find them:

Terrapins Connect

Unlike LinkedIn, every single alum on Terrapins Connect has explicitly signed up to help current UMD students. They want to hear from you!

  • Learn how to use Terrapins Connect effectively.

LinkedIn Alumni Tool

Can't find a specific niche on Terrapins Connect? LinkedIn has over 320,000 UMD alumni profiles.

On-Campus Events

Meet people in real life. Bookmark the Feller Center’s Events page and the ECON newsfeed and check your inbox every Wednesday for our weekly ECON newsletter featuring curated networking events.

Staying Connected

Like any good friendship, a professional network thrives when you keep in touch. You don't need to overthink this and it shouldn't take up a lot of your time.

  • Focus on the right people: Stay in touch with alumni you genuinely clicked with, or people who seem like "natural connectors" (people who love introducing others).

  • Keep it casual: Drop them an email to update them on your job search, share an interesting economics article or joke you found, or simply wish them a happy holiday season.

  • Give and take: Look for ways to be helpful to them, too. When the time comes and a job opens up at their company, you will be top-of-mind. Ask for that referral confidently, and thank them profusely!

Using LLMs to Draft Your Messages

One of the biggest challenges for students is knowing exactly what to say when reaching out to someone new on Terrapins Connect or LinkedIn.

Large Language Model (LLM) tools are excellent drafting partners. You can use them to generate clear, professional, and friendly outreach messages. If you don’t know where to start, you can literally ask the tool:

"How can you help me with networking as an economics college student?"

Copy & Paste These Prompts to Get Started:

Simply paste these lines into your preferred LLM to get a solid first draft:

  • For cold outreach: "Write a short, friendly networking email to a UMD ECON alum working in economic policy. Keep it under 150 words."

  • For a Career Fair follow-up: "Help me draft a follow-up message to a recruiter I briefly met at the UMD ECON career fair."

  • For LinkedIn: "Draft a concise LinkedIn connection request message to a UMD alum currently working in consulting."

  • For a thank-you note: "Write a thank-you email to send after an informational interview with a data analyst."

  • For a referral request: "How do I politely ask a UMD alum for a referral or application support at their company?"

The Golden Rule: Personalize It!

An LLM is great for overcoming writer's block, but it shouldn't do 100% of the work. Always edit the generated text before hitting send. Add specific details about why you are interested in their career path, and adjust the wording so it genuinely sounds like you!