Ten Easy Ways to Network

John Sullivan is a working project manager who writes and speaks on project and career issues.

  Career Development   Communications Management  

Given the “lean and mean” mantra companies have preached the last few years, most workers have picked up duties from “eliminated” jobs, making sustaining relationships harder than ever. It takes time and effort to stay in touch and build up the goodwill that can be tapped for help during a job search. Here are 10 easy tips to help you find some new contacts and strengthen existing ones.

1. Write a “Thank You” note. These notes aren’t just for wedding and birthday gifts. Take a minute and put pen to paper for the gift of time when someone meets you for lunch or for the gift of information if they pass along details of a job opening.Make it easy by keeping a supply of stationery, cards and stamps in your briefcase or desk so you can write one immediately after the event. It’s a good way to stay in touch and the courtesy of a written thank you note will set you apart from the crowd.
2. Send an article. Send an article on a subject of interest. It doesn’t have to be a business or technical article; I have a contact who is a serious astronomer and occasionally e-mail him a piece about a new discovery or pending celestial event. This is an easy way for those who find it difficult to network because they “need a reason” to make contact and it can build a more personal relationship when the article is about a …

Please log in or sign up below to read the rest of the article.