I’ve been on a networking kick my last few blog posts so I’m going to keep it going one more week due to the oh-so-important nature of the act. Last week I told you who to target when trying to network, this week I’m going to assume you took my extremely intelligent advice and now that you have your network I’m going to tell you how to keep in touch with them.

A common concern is how to regularly keep in contact with your network so it does not seem like you are ‘using’ them for a job when you actually need to speak with them regarding a position. I went on the prowl to find ThinkTalkers some useful advice on this topic and came across The Career Doctor Blog and a post which directly addressed this. According to their author, “[you should] find ways to share information with them that is not necessarily about you but will interest them.” He suggests:

• Clippings of articles that will be of interest to them with a sticky note attached that says “saw this article and thought of you”
• If your company produces publications that would be of interest to your contacts, have them placed on the subscription list
• Let them know of events they might be interested in attending

Also consider sending them:

• Amusing cartoons you’ve clipped, or even photos
• After you’ve met a new contact, you can send a quick postcard to mention how much you enjoyed meeting him or her
• Holiday cards

If someone has helped you out in a big way The Career Doctor Blog allows a grand gesture of flowers or taking that person out to lunch.

And if you’re really good, and can pick up on casual mentions of a birthday when in conversation, sending birthday cards will score you points.

So keep these pointers in mind next time your scanning a magazine and you recognize something a contact of yours would like, or hit the Hallmark store and stock up on birthday cards to send out (keep them appropriate please)!

"question mark" courtesy the italian voice via Flickr Creative Commons