Benefits

• Crafts a network of contacts that may be helpful in the future, improving job leads beyond online search engines
• Builds confidence in talking with people while learning what one needs to know
• Gains perspective on work that goes beyond the limitations of job titles, allowing one to see what skills are required for the job and how one might fit into that work setting
• Provides exposure to a variety of jobs and personalities, making the search for a "niche" much easier

• The most common method of making the first connection with a networking contact is in writing: e-mail, letter. In some circumstances, with a family friend or former employer for example, a phone call is fine
• The letter should include: a brief introduction about yourself, why you are writing to the individual; a brief statement of your interests or experiences in the person's field, organization, or location and why you want to talk. Be straight-forward; tell him/her you are asking for information and advice. Do not ask for an internship or job
• Ask for fifteen minutes to a half-hour of the person's time
• Proofread all correspondences

• Be polite! Dress professionally for your meeting as a sign of respect.  Consider each person you talk with part of an ever-expanding network of contacts, and make a good impression in the hopes that the person will welcome you into their network as well
• Ask thoughtful, appropriate questions. You should expect to have about 10-15 questions ready to ask for a half hour conversation. You may not get to ask them all, and other questions may come to mind during the conversation itself, but at least you will be prepared if the person provides only short answers. Really listen to what the person tells you
• Be prepared for the person to ask you about your interests and experiences
• Take notes. While it is important to maintain eye contact during in-person meetings, taking notes also demonstrates interest in what the person is saying. Make sure you write the person's name and the date on your notes so that you can refer back to them, either for your own purposes or when having a follow-up conversation with that contact
• Keep the conversation relatively short. Whether you are talking by phone or in person, respect that the other person has many demands on his/her time
  

• Send thank you notes for anything
• Send an article you think they'd be interested in
• Give a career update
• Holiday greetings and congratualations
• Make a referral
• Assist them with current challenges