they usually began with a phone call.

If you find yourself engaged in informational interviewing, you will no doubt make many phone calls. Sometimes they go well; other times you know in your gut that this person wants to get rid of you as soon as possible. If it's the latter, it can mean a couple things about the person you are calling, including:

A. It has been a long time since this person was in a situation of having to look for work or make contacts.

B. He or she is basically a considerate person and you are catching them on a bad day or at an inconvenient time.

As you make calls, you will find a great variance in how receptive people are to your calls, which in turn depends upon a few other key factors, few of which are in your control.

Sometimes it is simple timing. I often found that the best time to call someone was just after five o'clock . That's when the gatekeepers have left the office, but most of the decision-makers are still lingering around, and the atmosphere is more relaxed.

However, no matter what time you call someone for the first time, there is the chance that you will get them at a bad moment, and you must try to remain sensitive to that. When you first get the person on the line, ask if you caught them at a bad moment? If you get someone who is dealing with more pressing demands of the moment, quickly giving them the opportunity to back out will accomplish two things in your favor:

1. First, you convey a genuine respect for the other person and their time.

2. The other person sees you as a true professional, and will immedi ately take you more seriously, and take a greater interest in following up.

Most importantly: Don't ever assume that once a person answers their phone they have time to talk.

Believe it or not, many people do not understand the concept of networking. Even if you are just out to meet people and are not seeking a job, an individual may automatically assume that you are, and not wish to deal with you. They don't realistically accept that you “just want to shake their hand and become acquainted.”

I don't know how many times I would call someone, and upon telling them that I am interested in seeking their professional advice, become acquainted, and gather some information, I would hear them respond: “Well, we don't have any positions open right now. Just send me your resume and we'll call you if something comes up.”

The above is an excerpt from The Last Guide to Networking You'll Ever Need, which is available for sale for $17 in our bookstore or for free to those who subscriber to our free career newsletter. In this tough economy, people who find jobs usually do so by networking. Written by Keith F. Luscher specifically for the job hunting students and recent graduates with zero to three years of experience who use CollegeRecruiter.com. Are you networking at least two hours a day? Those who are finding jobs are. Don't be left behind. Read this book and you will quickly find a new job. To receive a free copy, subscribe to our free career newsletter.

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