Sital Ruparelia

“Focus on networking with your warm contacts first”

- hardly rocket science is it?!

Yet so many people (particularly job seekers and career changers), seem to think that networking is all about spending time with “the right contacts” (whatever that means) and connecting with “key players” (a terrible buzz word).

This ‘Person X’ is the holy grail apparently. And whilst this sounds logical and sensible in theory, in the real world it’s completely the wrong approach if you want get connected to with the right people and opportunities.

Here are 5 reasons why you should focus on networking with your warm contacts rather than “the right contacts” (Person X)

1. Person X is less likely to agree to meet/speak with you straight away if you haven’t a warm relationship.

They’re busy and so they will focus their time with their warm contacts first – not you. Whereas your warm contacts (colleagues, ex-colleagues, friends, family) are much more likely to agree to meet with you – and in turn possibly introduce you to Person X or an equivalent contact.

2. Person X is less likely to go out of their way for you

They won’t make calls, send emails or chase their contacts to help you – simply because they haven’t the relationship or loyalty to you in order to justify it.

Their loyalty and time will be spent on furthering their own interests and the interests of their warm contacts. Again, something which your warm contacts and friends are more likely to do if you spent more time with them instead of lusting after Person X.

3. You’ll resist making the call to Person X

It’s a natural instinct – you know Person X can definitely help you move forward, but you resist contacting them and resist asking directly for help because you’re relationship may have lapsed or you may not know them too well. So it’s far better to focus on your warm contacts (who you’ll find it easier to contact) and ask for their help in connecting you to Person X or a similar person.

4. Person X will be much more receptive if you’re introduced (or re-introduced) via a warm contact of yours

That email introduction you ask your warm contacts to make provides a seal of credibility that opens the door to Person X far quicker than if you approach person X direct. So focus on your relationships with warm contacts first – not because you want contacts from them – but just because their you’re warm contacts.

5. Spending time with your warm contacts is a lot more fun

As I’ve mentioned before, your networking should be effortless. In order to be yourself and get results, it should be something you enjoy rather than resist and overly stress about.

So make it easy on yourself by spending what precious time you have with people you enjoy being with. Be clear and open about what your needs are so that they’re best placed to help you – and, if possible, introduce you a Person X type individual.

See, I told you it wasn’t rocket science. I bet you knew all of this stuff already didn’t you?

So why are you spending all that time thinking and chasing after Person X when all the contacts you need are sitting in your diary and mobile phone?

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