Networking Abuses to Avoid

· Problematic Pacing: Avoid contacting individuals too frequently, contacting too many people at once, and overstaying your welcome. If you have asked for a 10-minute meeting, you should honor that time frame. It is acceptable to ask how often is too often to follow up.

· Poor Planning and Organizing: To avoid this, create a spreadsheet that lists your contacts, your purpose for contacting, date of contact, key points from the conversation, next steps and a timeline for future contact.

· E-mail Informality: Although e-mail is a widely accepted networking tool, you must treat e-mail messages like any business correspondence - formally and professionally. First, let your contact know why you are writing, and then provide a snapshot of yourself. End by reiterating your interest and asking for assistance.

· Mass E-mail: You must make the recipient of your messages feel that he/she has been specifically targeted. Sending a single e-mail to multiple addresses sends the message that you didn't put much thought into your correspondence. If you're going to use a similar e-mail message, be sure to personalize it with the person's name, or some background information about the individual's company.

And, once you've made contact - don't forget to send a thank you note and keep in touch. You never know when you may need to call upon this contact's expertise or guidance in the future. Send a simple e-mail greeting once a year or take him/her to lunch. It will go a long way in building a secure network that you can lean on professionally.

Barbara Limmer is Director of Career Management Programs, Thunderbird, The American Graduate School of International Management. Barbara Limmer oversees the student preparation functions of the Career Management Center, including job-search related workshops and programs, individual career advising, and the Graduate Associate Program.

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