Networking Forum

Here are seven streamlining tips I've picked up during the last few months.

First, use the same ID and password for all social networks you join (and keep a record of both), but open a separate, free e-mail account for each network you join (perhaps using a key word that applies to your job search in each address).

Second, the key to managing e-mail within each account is to keep only a few (under 30) e-mails in your inbox at any given time.

Third, read each e-mail only once. The first time you read an e-mail, try to delete it, respond to it, and/or move it to a folder.

Fourth, to minimize the number of inbox e-mails, sort e-mails into folders for different matters. Streamline this process by establishing "rules" in Outlook or LotusNotes that automatically deposit e-mails from specified individuals or groups into the right folder.

Fifth, be sure to use an application you find accessible to automatically cross post your newest blog entry or Twitter comment or LinkedIn comment in other social networks -- all at the same time with the click of one single button.

Check hellotxt or Ping.fm . There are others as well, and you can read about few of them in "Six Ways to Update Your Status".

Sixth, find a system that works best for you to organize your information by contact person, by company, by industry etc.

Whatever system you use, you should be able to record and retrieve information about each contact person easily and quickly. Such a system needs to include slots for these details:

Contact information:

• Contact name
  
• Contact title
  
• Contact company
  
• Network address
  
• Where you first received the contact's name
  
• Questions you asked or topics you discussed
  
• Contact's area of expertise
  
• Record of message exchanges

Contact's response to you:

• Motivated?
  
• Involved?
  
• Interested?
  
• Sympathetic?
  
• Confused?

Specific information you obtained:

• Details about your targeted job
  
• Feedback and advice about your career marketing campaign

Information for each referral you obtained as a result of the contact:

• First and last name
  
• Title
  
• Company
  
• Network Address
  
• Telephone
  
• E-mail address
  
• Area of expertise
  
• Name of person who gave you this referral

Follow-through actions for direct contacts:

• Telephone call needed to obtain referral information?
  
• Thank you message sent? When?
  
• Schedule for next message?

Seventh, organize your contact information so you can easily identify which contacts are

• motivated and
  
• involved.

  Those are the people who can have the most impact on your job search. Use their suggestions. Follow up on their referrals -- and use their names.

  For a glimpse into how managing information in a social network is similar to keeping track of contact and referral information generated by in-person information interviews, go to "Managing Contact Information."

  James J. Elekes, M.Ed, MPA, CPM has provided us with an example of how to organize (and track) contact information in today's online world. Here's what he wrote in this forum last week:

  "Having established (my) consultancy in April 2005, I now have approximately 100 strategic contacts in several industries (I) routinely contact (with) updates on a variety of topics.

  "For each individual, (I) maintain a "Profile Card," synchronized between PDA and PC, which includes Contact Name, Job Title, Organization, Professional/Personal E-Mail, Telephone Numbers and Best Time to Call; Contact's Spouse Name; Contact and Spouse Birthday; Wedding Anniversary (if applicable); Children, their ages and quick fact about their activities (school, extracurricular etc.) and any significant notes from previous e-mail or telephone conversations.

  "To facilitate management of this "Contact List," (I have it) on an Excel spreadsheet. In this way, when making contact, the last date contacted, (and) topic of last conversation can be readily accessed, using information as the starting point for updates.

  "Aforementioned personalized information adds a personal touch to the conversation/communication, demonstrating focus on the individual and what's of meaning in his/her life.

  "An Excel spreadsheet is also useful as I can log the date of the last contact, insuring no one drops-off the list and a schedule is maintained.

  "It takes personal discipline to maintain an Excel spreadsheet, but the benefits are the ultimate reward."

  What tip do you have for keeping track of job search information you generate through social networks?

  
  

  
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