Brought to you by Basic Invite:
This is a significant milestone; sending out graduation announcements is a way to share the news with friends and family, but what if those announcements could do more than celebrate your achievement? Wouldn’t it be useful if they could help you find your next big career opportunity?
Done correctly, graduation announcements can serve as an almost discreet but effective networking tool, which can help you to open new connections and, possibly, job opportunities. Here’s how you can use your announcements to help launch your career.
Why Graduation Announcements Matter in Networking
It’s not just a celebration, there are many reasons to make graduation announcements. Many of your friends, family members, mentors and maybe even people you haven’t seen for years may not know what you’ve been putting your efforts into until they get your announcement. Therefore, in addition to being a way to showcase your accomplishment, it also tells people that you’re ready for the next step in your career.
In addition, your friends and family may have connections in your desired industry or useful tips to share. A good graduation invitation can be a conversation starter, leading to introductions, mentorship, and possibly even job opportunities.
Tips for Using Graduation Announcements as a Networking Tool
1. Tailor the Message
When sending an email, use your name and graduation date, but also include other details like your degree, the field you studied, and your career goals. Here’s an example:
“I am happy to inform you that I graduated with a Bachelor’s in Marketing from XYZ University. I am ready to start my career in digital marketing and have my sights set on opportunities within this dynamic field.”
This makes it easier for them to help you achieve your goals because you have a clear idea of what you’re looking for.
2. Leverage Digital Announcements
Where your network is already active, share your graduation announcement via email, LinkedIn, or other professional platforms. This is especially useful as you can customize the post to include a brief message of gratitude to those who have supported you and your excitement for the future, something that would be difficult to do with a traditional paper announcement.
3. Highlight Achievements
Mention any notable accomplishments like internships, research projects, certifications, or leadership roles. These details can help to demonstrate your skills and experience and could make you more noticeable to potential connections.
Example: “From my education, I have participated in an internship in public relations, have been president of a student organization, and have earned a certification in Google Analytics. I am eager to apply these experiences in my future career in communications.”
4. Include Contact Information
Keep things simple and let people easily be able to get in touch with you. You should add a professional email address and a link to your LinkedIn profile. If you have a personal website or online portfolio, enter that as well.
5. Follow Up Personally
After sending out your announcements, it’s recommended that you make it a point to follow up with key connections. For example, if a family friend mentions knowing someone in your industry, then you should send them a polite email or personalized graduation thank you card to thank them and to express your interest in connecting further.
Pitfalls to Avoid
- Don’t Overshare: There should be no focus on your personal goals other than how they pertain to your professional goals. Don’t make it too personal by sharing things that are not relevant to your career.
- Stay Professional: When making your announcements, ensure you use polished language and a good design with your messages as if you’re already in the professional world.
- Be Respectful: Not everyone will have a job lead or advice to share. Be nice, even if you get a worst-case scenario response.
Your graduation announcements can be more than just a celebration, they can be a stepping stone to your next opportunity. You can make it a thoughtful message and share it with your network in the right way so you can, in turn, open doors to meaningful connections and career possibilities.
So as you get ready to share your milestone, don’t just celebrate. Make your announcements display your achievement, but also your readiness to take on the professional world. Who knows? The next person to congratulate you might also be the one to offer you your first big break.
Leave a Reply