Warm contact list
Usually when you are looking for a job, you would ask for help from family and friends, in the sense that you would contact these folks to ask for information on current job openings, business opportunities and tips.
Your family, relatives and friends belong on your warm contact list since the warm contact list is comprised of people with whom you have, or have had, a personal relationship or association. So an example of a warm list contact might be a former classmate, office mate or neighbor, not to mention a brother, sister, aunt or uncle.
In view of the above we have provided a selection of individuals who may be included in your warm contact list.
Relatives, friends & associates
These are people are always willing to help you in your job search or business venture. They will be able to provide you information if they have it, or refer you to trustworthy people who will be able to assist you. If they were to introduce you to some of their contacts, they can surely provide you with honest and reliable information regarding the person you are going to be associated with.
Members of the church, political party, social club or fraternity or sorority – You probably would not have expected it, but people who share the same faith, beliefs or hobbies may also help you with finding a job. You may have a different career from theirs, but they might know somebody who is in the same field in which you are seeking employment or will be able to help you in your career.
However, depending on your level of association with them, they may think twice about giving their opinion or thoughts about their contacts. Their opinion can sometimes help you in developing a strategy on how to approach and ask for help from their contacts.
Those you buy from
People who sell you things – You may think that your relationship with these people is purely based on trading goods and services, then paying for them. However, people who sell you things are also sources of information when networking.
Since these people sell their goods to different types of individuals and businesses, they might be associated with somebody who belongs to the same field that you are seeking employment in, or have heard information about your target job from their other clients.
These people will also be happy to help you, since they know that maintaining a pleasant relationship with you means a stable business for themselves. Also, you having a good job means you have increased your purchasing power, and then it could also mean that you may purchase more from them.
Past workplace buddies
Former employers, colleagues or co-workers – Maintaining a good relationship with previous employers and colleagues has more benefits than you can imagine (it pays not to burn bridges?). This is the reason that most people try their best to iron out any difficulties with their previous employers even if they are no longer associated with the company.
Aside from the possibility that your potential employer will call previous employers when they review your job history, former employers and colleagues are also good sources of information relating to that field.
When you ask for help from family and friends, there is a possibility that the information they provide you with is just from another source. They may not be able to give you first-hand information or detailed information unless they also work in the same field that you are seeking employment in or would like to return to.
Things are very different when you consult former employers and colleagues from the same sector. They will be able to provide you with valuable information and may also be able to clarify such information and answer any questions you may have.
Your professional orgs’ members
Members of your professional organization – If you belong to a professional organization related to the field in which you are looking for a job, you can consult that organization for current postings from the members. If you don’t belong to any such organization, consider joining one since this will be beneficial to you career growth.
A professional organization can provide you with unbiased information on current job openings from its members. The organization can also give you details on the company profile and even on current market and career trends.
These are the most important people that you should include when creating a list of your warm contacts. It is better if you contact them all so you can have as many options in your job search as possible. When you talk to them, tell them that you are actively seeking a job.