Do:
1. Make your networking endeavors personal and do it yourself.
2. Reach out to your personal and/or professional network to ask for help. You'll be surprised at how often people you know are willing to help when and if they can.
3. Respect others time and space.
4. Once you've reached out to your network - leave them alone! Continuing to pester them will often result in the exact opposite of whatever your desired outcome is (i.e. expanding network, a business lead, a job, etc).
5. Use networking sites such as Linked In to boost your professional publicity! Ask your network to endorse you / your work and offer to do the same for them.
6. Keep in mind networking is about building personal relationships not mass marketing yourself to the world.
Don't:
1. Don't rely on "PR Firms" or "Career Marketing Firms" to expand your professional network for you. This is often a waste of money and resources. In addition, Companies will not respect you and dismiss your value. Refer back to Do #1 - your approach should be personal, professional and sincere in order to best maintain your reputation and further your career.
2. Don't ask for a job! This makes you look pathetic. It's acceptable to ask for help i.e. "What do you know about Company ABC?" This will often lead into further conversation about your career goals, value proposition, etc.
3. Don't forget about your contacts! Don't approach them only in a time of need. Again, personal relationships require work and maintenance. Make notes in your contacts information about their birthday, anniversary, or send congrats on a promotion.
4. Don't rely solely on the Internet or electronic resources. Old fashioned networking works! Always keep business cards handy~ you never know when you may make a new contact.
Networking is simple and not as time consuming as many think. Follow the Do's and Don'ts listed above and you'll be surprised at how quickly your network will expand. Even the busiest executives can do their own networking! It really takes no time at all when done correctly. Make it a habit rather than a task and you will succeed!
