Increasingly when I ask workshop participants if they have accounts on LinkedIn (or perhaps other professional networking sites), a large number of hands goes up. And even those who haven’t joined LinkedIn have at least heard of it. It does appear as though job seekers are increasingly seeing the need to join sites like LinkedIn. But I realize that simply joining a site doesn’t mean that we always know how to use it. Increasingly I talk with students who want to know how to use these networking tools to their best advantage. And often the questions are pretty basic: how do I get started? What do I ask? What if I do something wrong?
Clearly the etiquette of networking is different than other types of etiquette: which fork to use first, or the proper way to manage a plate of food and a 
beverage. But networking etiquette is no less important. Following are some of my thoughts for getting off on the right foot with your circle of contacts:
Know Why You’re Contacting Them, Part I
Of course you are making contact with someone because you believe it will further your career path. But in my mind there are two overarching reasons you could be contacting a professional in your area of interest. Either you are looking for more general information (about the field, career path, job outlook, etc.) or you are looking for more immediate advice on how to position yourself for jobs with that organization. Either reason is valid, but things will be easier on you and your contact if you are clear about your primary goal for that particular contact. And especially if you are truly looking more for general information be clear about that with the person; often people are willing to share their time and their advice, especially if they are confident you’re not really asking them for a job.
Know Why You’re Contacting Them, Part II
In an informational interview, you need to take the initiative; you are the interviewer! A prospective contact will want to know ahead of time what you are hoping to learn from them. Perhaps you are curious about how your doctoral skills and experiences translate to this specific career field. Maybe you would like to hear about resources that can help you relocate to a specific geographic area. Or maybe you want to know how a specific organization does hiring, and if there are any positions available right now. Previewing the questions you have conveys to the contact that you are taking this process seriously, investing effort to make the process useful for both of you. And it also allows your contact to determine if they are the best person to address your specific needs. And of course if they are not, you can always ask them to refer you to someone better suited for your questions.
Briefly Establish Your Credibility
A contact wants to know that you have some credibility in contacting them, that you are serious about this potential career path. Your first contact can be a time to briefly establish your credibility and commitment. While I often advocate NOT sending a resume or CV in a first email contact (may be too presumptuous, especially if you say you’re simply looking for information), I do think it’s helpful to provide some succinct background information in an introductory email. This could include highlights from your education or experiences, or other aspects that help an employer understand your interest in what they do.
Finally, you can establish your credibility by setting clear and reasonable expectations for next steps. Maybe you’re looking for 20-30 minutes of their time, in person or over the phone, to talk about the questions you’ve raised. Setting reasonable expectations early on conveys that you understand their time is valuable, and you are not looking to abuse it.
As with any relationship, making a good first impression makes a big difference in its ultimate success. These are some of my tips for managing the etiquette of a networking relationship. What works for you?
Photo credit: KRPSO on Flickr
Very Good blog. It addressed lot of my questions.