Relying on warm contacts

Some job applicants may find it difficult to use networking in their pursuit of a good job because they cannot rely on their warm contacts to provide the information needed. It is almost a certainty that the average job applicant would, at some point during the job search, have to ask his/her list of warm contacts for referrals to at least two people they know who will be able to provide job-related information.

However, there are times that a warm contact – particularly if s/he doesn’t know the applicant well – may not readily provide the information requested; and some warm contacts might feel reluctant about vouching for the applicant to their other contacts.

Based on this set of facts – if you are the applicant – it could possibly be difficult to effectively use your network in your pursuit of acceptable employment. Therefore we’ve put together a few tips we hope will be helpful in simplifying your networking and referral-getting efforts.

Nurture your warm contacts

Before you even have a need to all on your warm contacts or before you even ask for help, make sure to keep in touch with each member of your warm contacts list. You can easily do this by sending notes or greeting cards from time to time; you can make a phone call to chat a little with them them; you could also invite them to lunch, show interest or help in their business; or do anything to cultivate your relationship with them.

By nurturing the relationship, you will find it much easier to reach out to them when you need their help, because they will remember you and therefore will more readily provide information about their other contacts that are able to assist you.

Be polite and listen

Since you might not have close personal relationships with some of your valuable warm contacts, it may inappropriate – depending on the individual – to just give them a call and ask them for information about your field of interest. Sometimes, sending a note in advance, or asking to meet them for lunch is a better way to ask for their help.

Most of the time, even if your warm contact knows little about the field in which you are attempting to find a job, they might still offer you advice. However, it is during these interactions that you must be polite and show interest in what they are saying; because, who knows? the information they’re sharing might possibly be valuable to you in the future.

 

There are times when your warm contacts may be giving you tips on which approach will work best when you talk to the persons you are being referred to; and your warm contacts may also imply what qualities and qualifications the person is looking for, so it is important to listen attentively, thereby showing interest in what they have to say.

Ask for at least two referrals

Before you ask for referrals, make sure your warm contact had said everything s/he has to say about your field of interest. Even if s/he knows little about that field, it is impolite if you interrupt while s/he is speaking simply to ask an inane question like, if s/he knows anyone who will be able to help you.

If s/he wasn’t able to refer you to at least one contact, thoughtfully ask why s/he couldn’t do so. You might get answers that include indirect comments or suggestions. The contact may also indicate a lack of confidence in your work strategy, and if so, you may have to make follow up calls/meetings with them to prove that you are indeed credible and have the ability to match his/her requirements.

However, there are also times when a warm contact can’t refer you to his/her own contacts because s/he simply doesn’t know anybody who might have the information or interest in the product. In this case, ask that s/he keep you in mind and continue looking for opportunities that you might be interested in. Of course you could also leave copies of your resume with all your warm contacts.

Ask only for two referrals

The rule of thumb is that two referrals are enough from each warm contact since a job applicant should have a second option in case the first one didn’t work out. On the other hand, asking for more than two referrals could be seen as impolite because it could be too time consuming for your warm contact.

Also, such a request might make your warm contact feel that you are relying too heavily on him/her for your job search. So unless they volunteer the information, don’t ask for more than 2 referrals.

Contact referrals as soon as possible

When your warm contacts provide you with referrals, they might also call these people to personally provide more information about you. Contrarily, when you contact the people to whom you were referred, your referrals may call your warm contacts to verify the information or to ask for more information about you.

Either way, you have to contact your referrals early enough so that these they can still remember their conversation with your warm contact, or your warm contact can still remember you have talked to them. At times, after your referrals were contacted by your warm contacts, they anticipate your call and even prepare questionnaires and exams for you to take.

Do not waste this opportunity by delaying follow-up on referrals. We hope that keeping these tips in mind will help you during the occasions that you have to ask your warm contacts for good referrals.