Organize Your Network – Part 2: Keeping Track of Your Network Contacts

In last week’s blog, you saw a list of affiliations where you most likely know people in your life. By now, you’ve developed a list of nearly 200 people, if not more. Now how do you manage the contacts you’ve listed? How do you keep track of who you talked to, who s/he referred you to, who was helpful, and with whom you followed up?

My idea of keeping things organized is throwing everything about the topic or person in a folder. As you can imagine, I have a lot of very thick folders, but it works for me. Everything is in one place. One of my colleagues has folders within folders within folders. Some people like a lot of detail; some people don't. Some people feel like a nut...never mind.

Here are three different samples of networking contact logs that can be developed on a spreadsheet or in a table. Each contains a different degree of detail. Which one will work for you?

For Sample 1, you want to make sure you include how you made contact (e.g., phone call, e-mail, LinkedIn, etc.), when you made contact, what was discussed, and the outcome. Also include the dates that you sent thank-you notes and when you can/should reconnect with the contact (more about this next time when we talk about follow-up).

If you want to keep more detailed records about your interactions with your contacts, develop an individual networking log page (Samples 2 and 3) for each important contact and keep a log of each and every interaction with that contact.

Click the PHOTOS box accompanying this blog for a closer look at each sample individual networking log.

When you get a good start on organizing your job search network contact list, it's much easier to use it effectively.

So now that you have a system for organizing your job search network contact list, be sure to read next week’s blog on developing a communications plan. Learn what to ask for when you connect with your contacts.

Many people use electronic/online methods, including ACT! What online methods do you use and how effective are they for you? I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,

Peg

coachpeg@peoplegrowthllc.com
www.peoplegrowthllc.com

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