They say the best method for finding a job is via “networking.”  (The second best is to find a job on a company’s own website, made simpler by LinkUp.)  But since few of us “network” for a living, we are awfully bad at it.  I am trying to help here with a new tool you can use.

The typical networking conversation goes something like this, “I am looking for  a job, do you know anyone who is hiring?”  Ok, that might be too blunt, but generally speaking…that’s not too far off.   The networkee, the person who legitimately might want to help, is left scratching his head, hoping to remember that one company he heard about on the golf course.

Instead, imagine that you have completed a BUILDING MY NETWORK form in advance of the meeting.  The form lists the companies you are interested in, the contact people, the issues confronting the business and the department where you want to work.  This way your contact has something to react to, and to refer to later.

I would love to be given a completed form from anyone who networks with me.  Chances are pretty good, I would think, that I might know someone who knows someone who knows someone…but I need a cheat sheet, a sort of thought starter to get me started on really trying to help.

Brenda created this form for you to use.  The second image is how you might like to complete it, an example if you will.

You should be able to download and print it.  Let me know if it helps you.

Download here the blank form here.

Here is what a completed section might look like: