Request information rather than an immediate job
Before contacting someone, formulate a question they can actually answer: how their occupation works, important skills, local employers or useful events. A request for fifteen minutes is easier to consider than a vague request to find you work.
Prepare two sentences about your experience, target and reason for contacting them. If changing career, name a transferable skill and what you want to verify. The first conversation aims to learn rather than force a recommendation.
Start with accessible connections
List former colleagues, classmates, teachers, clients, professional associations, local organisations and people met at events. Add professionals whose public activities genuinely fit your target. A nearby contact may offer more concrete feedback than many uncontextualised requests.
Choose a few relevant contacts each week. Read about their work before writing and explain why their experience interests you. Respect their time and preferred channel; no response does not justify repeated messages.
Send a short personalised message
State a genuine connection, your objective and one question. Offer a short conversation or the possibility of a written answer. Avoid attaching a CV to a simple information request unless invited.
Example to adapt: ‘Hello, I am exploring [occupation] in [sector]. Your experience at [organisation] helps me understand this work. Would you be available for fifteen minutes to discuss the skills used most often? Thank you for your time.’
Prepare a fair or conversation
Before a fair, select exhibitors, read their vacancies and prepare two questions showing you understand their activity. Listen, record a concrete point and ask which application channel to use. Leaving a CV does not replace that conversation.
Afterwards, send a brief thank-you referring to something specific you learned. If the person suggested an action, complete it and provide an update. Do not use the contact to approach their whole team without agreement.
Maintain relationships without creating a mailing list
Keep a simple table: person, context, subject, date, next action and response. Reserve regular time for networking without replacing vacancy applications or work on skills evidence. Focus on the quality of information obtained.
Share something useful in return: event feedback, a relevant resource or news about your project. Professional relationships develop over time. If a role opens later, you can present a clear appropriate application.
Obtain useful information
Choose a person whose work is relevant, formulate one question and draft a message with a genuine connection. Plan how to record the response.
- Before using the result
- Remove interchangeable praise, overly broad requests and unnecessary personal contact details.
- What to prepare
- A short message, precise question and respectful next action.
This is an editorial exercise to adapt to your circumstances. It is not an assessment, certification or administrative decision.
Frequently asked questions
How do I start without a network?
Start with your experience, training, associations and local services. Contact relevant professionals with a precise question about their work.
Should I ask for a recommendation immediately?
Usually start by understanding the occupation and having a conversation. A recommendation makes sense only when the person knows your work or plan sufficiently.
How often should I follow up?
A polite follow-up may be useful after a reasonable interval. If there is still no response, respect the silence and approach other contacts.
Sources and editorial method
The linked official resources support the factual points. The workflow, sample prompts and exercises are editorial suggestions. Sources may be in French.