How To Network Without Being A Pest By: Kevin Donlin Okay. You're a savvy job hunter: you already know that networking is how as many as 70-80% of people get hired. And you've been calling and e-mailing your list of contacts for the past month or so to ask for job leads. But what if you need to call back a second or third time to follow up and get new employment leads? How can you avoid turning off the people you need most in your job search — your network of contacts? Here are three ways to ask for repeated help from your network, without being a pest. 1. Be More Likeable It's a fact: we like to help people we like. If you're a personable sort, the kind that other folks want to help, it follows that they won't mind hearing from you every few weeks as you network your way to a new job. "I always try to make time for people who are networking or doing informational interviews, especially if they're people I know and like," says Jennifer Weismann, Account Supervisor at Minneapolis-based advertising agency Colle+McVoy. Despite a hectic schedule, Weismann has regularly mentored graduates from her alma mater, Carleton College, as well as others who tactfully follow up with her. How can you maximize your "likeability" and make your networking contacts happy to hear from you? Try taking an active interest in them and their needs. In the words of Dale Carnegie: "You can make more friends in two months by becoming really interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you." 2. Do What They Say Be careful about the advice you ask for in your job search. If you don't follow it, you may alienate the same people who are trying to help you. "When I get a networking call from a job hunter, I'll give them specifc tips and action items. If they call back weeks later, and I find they've ignored my advice, it's a total turnoff," says Terry Pounds, Distribution General Manager for Marshall Field's in Warren, Michigan. That means if you get a job lead from someone and fail to act on it, don't expect more help later. "Ignoring advice tells me you don't want my help, you want a job handed to you. And at that point, we're done," says Pounds. 3. Say "Please" And "Thank You" — Every Single Time When going back to networking contacts for more assistance, remember two common courtesies: respect their time and thank them. Sadly, most job seekers do neither. "People have called me back repeatedly for job leads, and I like to get a quick call first, as a courtesy, to ask for meeting later, since I always have plenty of work going on," says Pounds. In other words, never assume that now is the best time for your networking call — it rarely is. Always ask, "Is this a good time?" If not, schedule your networking interview when it's convenient for them, not you. And don't forget the power of a hand-written thank-you note — e-mail is not enough. I'll remember that the next time you call," says Weismann. So…if you've been in the job hunt for longer than 60 or 90 days, you can go back to your network again. Just follow the above tips to make sure they're always glad to hear from you the next time you call for employment advice. Now go out and make your own luck. Kevin Donlin Owner Guaranteed Resume About the Author Kevin Donlin owns Minnesota-based Guaranteed Resumes and writes a bi-weekly column providing job search and resume writing advice. Reach him at the Guaranteed Resume web site: www.gresumes.com. Comment on this article