Transparency

Author

Ryan Levy
April 15, 2025

In almost every interview I’ve had with alumni, they tell me being transparent is key.

“Be transparent about your intentions.”

“Be true to your word.”

I’ve found this advice confusing at times. Most people (including myself) get into networking because they need a job. You won’t find much success, though, by asking everyone you meet to find you one. 

So how do you be true to your goals, transparent, and not too direct?

If you get on the phone and say “Hi, I'm looking for an internship, can you get me one?”, that’s too much. If you get on and mention nothing of your desire for a job, that’s too little. You have to find the middle ground.

I asked Beth Leslie about this in our recent chat, and she had some good insights:

“State your long-term goals at the start of the call: “I’m looking for a job at the end of the summer but I’m also interested in learning about your path”. 

If the call goes well, in the last 5 minutes, say something like “this has been a great conversation, is there anybody else you can recommend I speak with” or “do you have any advice for me”. 

People love to give advice, and are usually happy to help.”

Try to remember that the most valuable “favors” come through connections, and it’s important to work on building that instead of coming out of the gate asking for handouts.