Discussion concept — not an official UVA Alumni Association website

Career support for wherever you are now

What are you working through?

Choose the question that feels closest, or explore the full program below. You do not need to complete everything in order.

The full experience

Explore the program

Short videos, written guidance and clear next steps that connect alumni with the people, tools and services already available through UVA.

01

Get clear on what you want next

Understand what is keeping you stuck, narrow the possibilities and choose a useful next step.

3 lessons · 25 minutes
02

Tell a story employers understand

Strengthen your resume, LinkedIn profile and introduction so people quickly understand where you fit.

4 lessons · 35 minutes
03

Build a smarter application strategy

Choose better-fit opportunities, tailor without starting over and bring a human connection into the process.

4 lessons · 35 minutes
05

Interview like a real person

Build useful stories, prepare for the questions that matter and talk about your experience with confidence.

4 lessons · 40 minutes
06

Manage your energy and momentum

Create a realistic weekly plan, handle silence and rejection and adjust your search using what you learn.

3 lessons · 25 minutes

Section 4

Use people, not just job portals

Networking is not asking strangers for jobs. It is talking with people who sit close to the work you want and asking for specific advice or insight.

3
Short career conversations and follow-up

Prepare useful questions, keep the conversation focused and know what to do afterward.

9 min→

Put UVA’s network to work

Move from learning to connection

Find relevant alumniWahoo Connect →Join an industry communityAlumni Professional Networks →
Guided lessonAbout 8 minutes

Rethinking networking: what it is and who you need

Networking lesson preview▶
Sample lesson preview

“Networking” has a bad reputation. Most people picture awkward events, collecting business cards or asking strangers for jobs. That is not what we are talking about here.

Networking means talking to people who sit close to the kind of work you want and asking for specific advice or insight.

The three types of people you want to meet

1

People doing the job you wantLearn how the work really works and which skills matter.

2

People who hire or manage those rolesUnderstand what stands out and what makes someone credible.

3

People inside target organizationsGet context on culture, priorities and how hiring works.

Connect this lesson to UVA

Wahoo ConnectSearch for alumni by role, organization, industry or location.Find alumni →Alumni Professional NetworksMeet alumni through industry communities and events.Explore networks →

Next: Learn how to reach out when there is no job posting.

Guided lessonAbout 11 minutes

How to reach out when there’s no job posting

LinkedIn outreach lesson preview▶
Sample lesson preview

You do not have to wait for a job posting to talk to people. The goal is not to ask for a job. It is to ask for advice or insight that helps you understand the work and build a genuine connection.

Ask for advice or insight, not a job

Example language

“I’m exploring customer success roles and noticed you made a similar transition. I’d be interested in your perspective on what helped you make the move. If it’s easier, I’d be happy to jump on a short call.”

Start with warm paths when you can

  • A mutual connection who can introduce you
  • A UVA alumnus in the role or organization
  • Someone connected through an Alumni Professional Network
  • A shared employer, community or professional interest

Next: Prepare for a short, useful career conversation.