When to Call / Write to People

People are generally freshest during the morning, so try and make your calls at this time, but if possible avoid calling business people on a Monday morning or a Friday afternoon. If you cannot get past the receptionist/secretary who is 'guarding' their boss, try calling early in the morning (before 9am) or late in the afternoon (after 5.30pm), when the receptionist/secretary is not likely to be there.

Calling people at home can be more problematical. If you know someone has young children, try calling him or her at about 9pm, when they are likely to be more relaxed after having put the children to bed. If you are going to call someone after sending them a letter you should try and ensure the letter arrives on a Monday or Tuesday, then you will be able to call them later in the same week - whilst they still remember your letter.

Marketing Yourself on the Telephone

If you are a confident speaker on the telephone you should positively enjoy networking. But supposing you are not confident on the telephone and you freeze when the person at the other end starts talking to you. The answer to your problem is forward planning. Before making your call go over in your head what you are going to say and try and prepare for all possible outcomes. It may help you to write down on paper what you want to say - your telephone sales script!

Just like any other script your telephone sales script will have a start, a middle and an end. You should start by saying who you are and why you are calling them. The middle part will either be arranging a meeting time/place or just finding out information if they will not agree to meet you. Always remember at the end to thank them for talking to you.

Building Your Network

To find a job through Networking you may need to build an extensive network of contacts. You will need to constantly add to your list as well as maintaining a rapport with your existing contacts. If you run out of names on your list, have a look at the section below entitled "Other job searching ideas" to find some new ways of meeting people.

The network you build during your job searching campaign will not only prove useful in uncovering jobs, but will also prove very useful to both you and your new employer in the future. Never under estimate the power of personal contacts - people are often recruited to a company because of their good connections.

Whilst you are networking you should be prepared to ask everyone you know whether they are aware of any suitable vacancies. You may even hear of job vacancies from your hairdresser or doctor - so do ask everyone.

Maintaining Your Network After Your Job Search

Once you have found yourself a job it is important not to just lose contact with the network which you have spent so much time building. This network can still be very useful to you in your new position, giving you vital market intelligence. Just little things like a Christmas or birthday card or a hello call on the telephone every six months, is enough to keep in contact.

You should also remember how much the people in your network have helped you. If these people come to you for help, try and use your network to help them solve their problem. If you help someone they will be more willing to help you in the future.

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