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                                                                   Exhibit 10.46
                                                                   -------------

                            [SWITCHBOARD LETTERHEAD]



May 9, 2000


Mr. Kevin P. Lawler
95 Lorraine Metcalf Drive
Wrentham, MA  02093

Dear Kevin:

It is my pleasure to offer you the position of Vice President, Human Resources
of Switchboard Incorporated ("Switchboard" or "Company") reporting to me.  The
Senior Management members of Switchboard with whom you have met believe your
expertise will contribute significantly to Switchboard's ability to attain our
goals and realize our full potential.

The following items comprise the details of the offer:

A.   Compensation
     ------------

     The base salary will be $4,807.69 biweekly, or $125,000 annually.

B.   Sign-on Bonus
     -------------

     You will receive $10,000 as a one-time cash sign-on bonus (less applicable
     taxes and deductions), which you will be eligible to receive as of your
     date of hire and will be paid out in your first 30 days of employment. This
     amount would be recoverable in full by Switchboard should you terminate
     your employment within 12 months from your date of hire.

C.   Bonus Plan
     ----------

     You will be eligible to participate in a Performance Bonus Plan that is
     targeted at an annualized rate of $40,000 at 100% achievement.  You will
     also be eligible to earn up to an additional $15,000 in annual bonus
     payments upon achievement of goals that exceed the 100% performance levels.
     Payment of this bonus will be based upon a combination of Switchboard
     Company performance and achievement of your individual objectives that will
     be discussed and defined with you during your first month of employment.
     You will not be eligible for a performance bonus for the second quarter
     ending June 30, 2000.  Bonus payments are normally paid within 45 days of
     the quarter end.  You must be employed for 30 days after the end of a
     quarter in order to receive that quarter's bonus payment.
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Mr. Kevin P. Lawler                 Page 2                           May 9, 2000

D.   First Year Guarantee
     --------------------

     During your first year of employment you will be guaranteed $20,000 of your
     target bonus paid in equal quarterly installments beginning with the July
     1, 2000 quarter.  In the event of an involuntary separation during your
     first year of employment, you will receive your First Year Guarantee on a
     prorated basis as of the effective date of the termination.

E.   Stock
     -----

     You will be granted an option to purchase an aggregate of 30,000 shares of
     Common Stock of the Company in accordance with the applicable terms and
     conditions of Switchboard's 1999 Stock Incentive Plan.  These options will
     be priced using the closing price on the NASDAQ National Market on your
     date of hire and they will vest 25% on the first anniversary of the date of
     grant and quarterly thereafter for the next three (3) years on the
     anniversary of your date of grant.

     In the event of a Change in Control, (defined under separate cover within
     the Stock Option Agreement document), 50% of your issued but unvested stock
     options in a given vesting schedule shall vest if;

          1.   you remain employed by the Company for a continuous period of six
               (6) months after the effective Change in Control date; or

          2.   you elect to resign within six (6) months of the effective Change
               in Control date because your job title and/or overall targeted
               cash compensation are materially reduced from levels in effect
               immediately prior to the Change in Control.

F.   Benefits
     --------

     You will be eligible for group medical, dental, disability and life
     insurance through the Company.  Coverage for you and your dependents will
     commence on your first day of employment, subject to any insurers'
     eligibility requirements and the payment of any applicable employee
     contributions.

G.   Protection in the Event of Termination
     --------------------------------------
     If your employment is terminated by Switchboard for any reason, except For
     Cause (defined herein), Switchboard will provide you the following payments
     and benefits:

          .  Switchboard will pay you on a biweekly basis your base salary until
             you have obtained other employment to a maximum of six months from
             the effective date of your termination or Switchboard will pay you
             on a biweekly basis the difference between any outside earnings
             (for example in the case of obtaining consulting assignments) and
             your Switchboard base salary for a maximum of six months from the
             effective date of your termination.
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Mr. Kevin P. Lawler                 Page 3                           May 9, 2000

          .  Switchboard will pay you all bonuses you have earned or that are
             guaranteed (on a pro-rata basis) as of the effective date of your
             termination.

          .  Switchboard will provide up to six months of continued medical and
             dental insurance for you and your family from the effective date of
             your termination, subject to the payment of any applicable employee
             contributions.

          .  Termination of employment for cause ("For Cause") shall mean
             termination by reason of (a) any act or omission involving
             dishonesty, gross negligence or serious misconduct, or (b) your
             conviction of, or the entry of a pleading guilty or nolo contendere
             by you to, any crime involving sexual harassment or any felony.
             Termination of employment For Cause will be presented in writing,
             accompanied by a written statement of reasons. A process of binding
             arbitration will resolve disagreements.

H.   Employment Status; Offer Terms
     ------------------------------

     Since Switchboard's standard policy does not provide for agreements
     guaranteeing employment for any specific period of time, this offer is not
     intended to be construed as an employment contract. Therefore, you are, and
     shall remain, an employee at will.

     The terms of this offer are valid for the duration of your employment
     subject to a 30-day notice period of cancellation by either party.

Please confirm your acceptance of this offer for employment no later than May
12, 2000, by signing this letter and providing your start date where indicated
below, and by signing the enclosed Invention and Non-Disclosure Agreement.
Please return both documents to me at your earliest convenience.

In addition, you will be required to provide proof of eligibility to work in the
United States per federal legislation.  A listing of required documentation
(Form I-9) is also enclosed.

Kevin, I look forward with great expectation to you joining our team and leading
the Human Resources Organization at Switchboard.  I am confident you will be
highly successful.

Sincerely,

/s/ Douglas J. Greenlaw
-----------------------
Douglas J. Greenlaw
Chief Executive Officer
Switchboard Incorporated

cc:  A. Milstein, Controller


Accepted:  /s/ Kevin P. Lawler               6/12/00
           ------------------------          -------------------
           Kevin P. Lawler                   Start Date