Guess what new grads? You do have a network right after college.

[Ed. note. This belongs to our series of posts from LinkedIn users featuring tips for recent grads on finding their first job. Lisa M. Cania is Associate Vice President for University relations at St. Lawrence University. She works with the Alumni Executive Council, a group of graduates who help advise students about careers and networking, among many duties]

It’s all about networking, we tell our students, but what exactly does that mean? When you’re starting out, you may feel you have no networks, that you have no clue what to ask in an information interview and that people with jobs don’t want to be bothered. You do have networks, you can develop questions, and people with jobs generally love to help new grads.

Your networks:  Start at home. You know your parents and their friends, you know teachers, you have had supervisors at summer and college jobs. You probably have 25 people you can call right away. They don’t need to be in the profession you want to enter. People know people who know people. Just start getting your name and credentials out there.

Your questions:  While you may want to ask “Do you have a job for me?” you’ll need to be more strategic.  Ask questions that give you a chance to offer your own skills and experiences in response. If you ask “What skills are most important for success in your professional field?” you have an opening to say "Yes, I understand...I have those skills, as you can see from my resume...

Your request: Two questions that anyone should be willing to answer: “What could I do to better prepare myself?” and “Would you be willing to keep your eyes open to possibilities?” The first shows your willingness to learn and grow, the second keeps the door open without making your contact feel awkward.

So, go out there and ask the right questions to the right people and find the right job!