How Your RelationshipsCan Help You Network

Created By Terry Newmyer

First, you need to identify what you want to achieve from networking.Are you exploring a new field or just want to learn about it?

Get Ready.

Do some homework first – research within your field, read up on organization websites,and join a professional association so you can be conversant and professional with yourcontacts. Don’t waste people’s valuable time with basic questions that you could answer

with a few minutes of research!

Get Organized.

You will be doing a lot of outreach, visits, emailing and followingup with people. Get a system in place to track the details, using aspreadsheet such as Excel, or whatever else works for you.

Categorize Your Contacts.

For example, categorize by relevance to your job search. Most relevant would bepeople currently in your desired industry, to least relevant, like a best friend in an

unrelated industry, who still may know someone who knows someone….

FRIENDS AND FAMCOWORKERS

FRIENDS OF FRIENDS

CONTACTS

By levels of connection with you.

Ask Your Contacts.

Ask them to keep an eye out for relevant jobs for you, and to forward them along. Askthem to introduce you to people in your area of interest. Ask for tips on the hiring

process in their company. Ask them to recommend you on Linkedin.You have nothing to lose!

Identify Your Inner Circle.

Inner circle contacts are people who know youpersonally and might be able to recommend you.

Leverage Your Existing Inner Circle Contacts.

Contact them via Linkedin, other social media, email or phone, with amessage reaching out to re-establish the relationship. Ask how they have

been and mention that you are soon launching a job search!

Maintain Your Relationships.

Maintain the relationship that you have established with your new and existingcontacts on an ongoing basis, not just when you are job-seeking.

Do this by, for example, sending a hand written card after every interview.If you don’t have their address for a handwritten card, you can always write them a

Linkedin recommendation!

GOOD LUCK &HAPPY NETWORKING!