If you can’t rely on your hot contacts to give you the information you need, you may find it difficult to use networking to find a job. Sometimes, you’ll need to ask your hot contacts to refer you to at least two people they know who will be able to give you the information you need.
However, sometimes your warm contacts, especially those who don’t know you well, may not provide information easily. Some of your warm contacts may feel reluctant to authenticate you to their other contacts.
Because of this, you may have difficulty using your network. To make networking and getting referrals easier for you, here are some tips.
* Nurture your hot contacts.
Get in touch with your hot contacts before you even need your hot contacts or before you ask for help. You can send notes or greetings from time to time, call them to “catch up”, invite them to lunch, be interested in or help out with their business, or share with them on your own. You can do anything to make the relationship grow.
That way, by the time you need help, they can remember you and pass on information more easily to your other contacts who will be able to help you.
* Be polite.
Since you may not have a close personal relationship with some of your valuable hot contacts, it is inappropriate to simply call them and ask for information about your area of interest.
Sometimes, sending a note in advance, or asking to meet them for lunch is a better way to ask for their help.
*Listen to them.
Most of the time, even if your hot contact knows very little in the area you’re trying to find a job in, they can give you advice. Be polite and take an interest in what they are saying. Who knows the information they are providing could be valuable to you in the future.
Many times your warm contacts will be giving you suggestions as to which approach will work best when you talk to the people you are being referred to. Your warm contacts can also mean what qualities and qualifications the person is looking for.
*Ask for at least two referrals.
Before you ask for referrals, make sure your hot contact has said everything he or she can say about your area of interest.
Even if they know very little about that area, if you downvote them to ask if they know someone who would be able to help you.
If they weren’t able to refer you to at least one of their contacts, thoughtfully ask them why they couldn’t. They can give you answers that may include indirect comments or suggestions. They can also indicate a lack of confidence in your work strategy. If so, you may need to follow up with them to prove that you are truly reliable and meet their needs.
However, there are also times when they can’t refer you to their contacts because they don’t know anyone who might have the information or be interested in the product.
In this case, ask them to keep their eyes open for opportunities that might interest you. You can also leave copies of your resume with them.
*Just ask for two referrals.
Two referrals from each hot contact is sufficient. This is another option if the first one doesn’t work. Asking for more than two referrals can be rude as it may take longer than your warm contact. In addition, it will make your warm contact feel that you are mostly dependent on him for your job search. So, don’t ask for more than 2 referrals unless they voluntarily provide the information.
* Contact the referral as soon as possible.
When your hot contacts give you referrals, sometimes they even call these people in person to give them more information about you. On the other hand, when you contact the people to whom you were referred, there may be calls to your hot contacts to verify your referral information or to ask more information about you.
Either way, you have to contact your referrals early enough that these people can still remember their conversation with your hot contact, or your hot contact can still remember that you talked.
Sometimes, after your referrals have been called by your hot contacts, they anticipate your calls and even prepare questionnaires and exams for you. Don’t waste this opportunity by delaying follow-up on referrals.
Keeping these tips in mind will help you get good referrals from your hot contacts.
