Making New Contacts
The important elements of networking can be summed up in four simple steps:
- Contact the person
- Follow up after your meeting
- Take the suggested action steps
- Follow up with the contact regularly
The name of the game in networking is regular and consistent follow up. If the contact welcomes the initial networking meeting and it goes well, they will want to hear about your progress. Remember that networking is a give and take process, offer any contacts you have and back up this offer with action.
Why Network?
Networking is a powerful way of building professional relationships. It is a process of actively fostering contacts and creating ways to disseminate information.
Networking Fears
Many people hesitate to contact others for fear of imposing or asking for help. The reality: most people are happy to do something for someone else, if asked. The mistakes most candidates make is not preparing sufficiently for each meeting.
Beware Common Networking Errors
Problems occur when a job-seeker only goes through the motions of contacting others. It is not enough to just meet someone and conduct a 15-minute interview or ask others for a leads or to pass along their resume. Whether you are approaching a colleague, a friend, a family member or stranger, how you present your purpose will make the difference between a satisfying or unsatisfying experience. Come prepared.
There are two basic goals to networking:
- Greater visibility
- Increased information
- Don’t forget
Thank the contact and make plans to meet again. Keep the contact aware of your future career moves and ask about their plans. This process of nurturing contacts will sustain and enhance your career.
