Few things make Ed happier than seeing his former interns spread their glossy wings and fly. Consequentially, fewer things make Ed sadder than spending months working with his enthusiastic interns and never hearing from them again. Staying in touch can be intimidating, but lucky for you, Ed’s friends have mastered the art, and they’re spilling all of their secrets.
Don’t let them forget about you! Ed can’t stress the importance of staying on your former supervisor’s radar enough, and for good reason. “It’s crucial to stay in the background—quiet but present—so they’ll remember you and call on you when the opportunity for a job or internship arises,” said Chloe Metzger, beauty editor at Stylecaster.com. After all, an editor who can speak for your work or recommend you for a position is a valuable tool in an industry where most positions are word-of-mouth.
Touch base regularly. Abbe Wright, editorial director at Penguin Random House’s ReadItForward.com, suggests reaching out to old bosses or colleagues via email every semester with a compliment about one of their recent projects, or even a quick note about what’s going on with your career since you’ve left your internship. “I like when interns update me with what they’re up to, like if you’ve either gotten a gig somewhere or a piece has been published. A simple ‘Hey! I wanted to share this article I wrote that was published on a blog,’ is an effective way to combine a check-in with a humble brag.” Holidays and birthdays are also nice opportunities to reach out. “I love to get Christmas cards from former interns and those who remember my birthday—wow, well that’s impressive!” says Chandra Turner, founder and president of Ed2010 and Executive Editor at Parents.
Keep it short and sweet. You’re more likely to get a response if you send a quick email than a long-winded update with a bunch of questions. “I find it daunting to answer a question like, ‘What advice do you have for getting a job when I graduate?’ in emails from my former interns,” says Turner. “I could write a book on the subject! And besides, do you really want me to answer? Or are you just trying to think of something to say in the email?” Instead, update them on your campus experience, other internships, when you’ll be moving to the city, or other news. You’ll know you’ve succeeded when the reply you get is along the lines of: “That’s great! Stay in touch!”
Get personal. If you had a friendly relationship with an editor, staying in touch can be even easier by dropping them a line with a conversation topic. Wright recalls a former star intern who remembered her love of award show season, so after each show he’d send her an email asking what she thought of the winners. “It’s a way for him to say ‘hi’ without asking for something in return.” And while it’s definitely the handiest form of communication, your options aren’t necessarily limited to email. Consider a handwritten note or a copy of the college magazine you work on with a sticky attached noting the pages you wrote or edited.
But not too personal. Some editors consider their Facebook accounts sacred so unless you’re already friends, so don’t send them a friend request now that your internship is over. LinkedIn is a better option for connecting on social media—it’s still personal but more professional than Facebook. “Just because you worked with the editor, it doesn’t mean she wants you knowing everything about her personal life,” says Metzger. “And, even if they do accept your friend request, do not Facebook chat them. It’s awkward for everyone.”
Know your limits. Other faux-pas to be aware of? Dropping into the office unannounced, sending gifts (um, that’s bribery!), and emailing too often (stick to once a semester, max) should all be avoided. But Ed’s number-one intern pet peeve is when interns only reach out when they need something. “If that’s the reason that you’re getting back in touch, do so very carefully,” said Wright. “If you’ve kept in touch with me since you’ve left, I’ll be way more eager to assist you than if you just pop up out of nowhere. Don’t act entitled like you deserve to be helped into a job.”
Staying in touch doesn’t have to be a daunting subject. Keep Ed’s advice in mind while reaching out to former bosses. You never know, it may be just the lucky stroke that lands you your next gig.
Event: Refinery29 and Delish.com Editors Share Their Secrets to Success
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