Maintain: Keep In Touch

So you may have created connections with people at events or on social media. How do you ensure that they remember you? And how do you cultivate a long lasting relationship with them?

After an event

Send personalized e-mails to the people you met (It’s too soon for phone calls or texts), mentioning something that you spoke about and letting them know how you enjoyed meeting them. 

A Facebook or LinkedIn request to connect will not make any impact; might even put the person off. After a memorable conversation you don’t want things to end that way. Hence, taking notes is necessary so that you can refer to it to customize your message and in turn, get noticed. 

This is also the time to suggest any follow-ups, for example, to ask your new contact to meet up for an informational interview. 

On social media

Don’t spam. Here are a few talking points you can practice to maintain your relationship with your contact.

Share articles that inspire you and think that it might interest the other person too. Do a thought analysis if you can about the stuff you’re sharing. Ask for the other person’s point of view. 

Occasionally discuss books you read about the industry and how it impacted you. 

If you share interests with your contact, then share information related to that – a new music track, a poem, a pair of golf clubs, or similar foodie interests– could be anything! 

Google alerts allows you to stay updated on new content related to any person, company or topic. Establish alerts for your network members, and you will be alerted each time they are mentioned in a blog or quoted in an article. It’s a great time to e-mail them and start a conversation.

Remember the game Name. Place. Animal. Thing? Let’s play that game again, but with these new titles: Name, Job Title, Company, Contact Details, City, First Date of Contact, Last Date of Contact, and Notes. Fill up the details of all the important people you’ve met. This is a great way to keep a track of your wide network.

Networking is one of the most efficient tools you have for job hunting. 

If you practice the 4 step formula of Discover. Create. Communicate. Maintain. religiously, you can make sure you get the most out of every interaction. Beyond that, relax and have some fun!

Timeline:

After meeting anyone for the first time in a professional capacity, be sure to follow up. Connected with a new contact online lately? Follow up is must! Met a recruiter or a potential colleague for the 1st time? Drop a message with a thank you. Or send appreciation and a ‘keep in touch!’ Let people know you care. 

Key Takeaways:

• Keep in touch by sending an email to new connections, immediately after an event.
• Do not call or text new connections immediately after an event.
• Do not send new connections Facebook and Linkedin requests immediately after an event.
• Ask your connections at events how they would prefer you to follow up.
• Do not spam contacts on social media.
• Share only relevant content, which may truly interest your new connections on social media or e-mail.
• Keep a record of the contact details of all the important people you may meet, online and offline.
• Networking is a great tool for you if you're job hunting.
• Use the 4 step formula of: Discover, Create, Communicate and Maintain to take Brand Me places- and have fun on the way!

Module Summary

In this module, you learnt how to craft your own brand, online and offline, while job hunting.

Up Next:

In the next module, you will learn how to create the perfect resume, how to answer various interview questions and bag your dream job with ease!