How to Build Your Networking Contact List

Networking is an integral part of business life with the goal to gain with new and valuable contacts that may be useful to you in your current job, or who may be able to help you in your future career goals. Building a strong list on contacts can be helpful to you in any number of ways – when you take the time to network, you never know who you will meet.

There are a few rules that you need to follow if you want to get the most out of your networking opportunities and build your contact list. First, you should be aware that almost any encounter could turn into a potential networking opportunity. So you need to be open to meeting new people at all times. You also need to recognize what is not an opportunity to network. No one will be receptive to you if you intrude on his or her personal space and time.

In addition, you need to approach people in the right way. You have to be confident, so firm handshakes and making eye contact are important. Make sure you are prepared to talk about you and your business. You might want to rehearse your opening phrase or plan a few “small talk” topics in advance. Knowing you are prepared will help give you the confidence you need to make a good impression.

At networking events, work the room. Experts recommend talking to each person for a maximum of three to five minutes. If you hit it off with someone, make plans to talk another time.

Now getting back to the actual contact list, here are some quick tips to build one. I think you'll be surprised, when you develop your list, about who you actually do know - and who they know. With that in mind, let's see who you know:

1.Industry Providers - Who buys from your company and who does your company buy from? These contacts can lead to unadvertised openings with your company's clients or vendors.

2.Professional Contacts - Employers, supervisors, co-workers (past and present), subordinates, clients, customers, fellow professional organization members and trade group members.

3.Personal Contacts - List extended family members, in addition to immediate family members.

4.Service Providers - Who do you buy from? On your list, include people you see only once a year or infrequently: hairdressers, dentists, massage therapists, attorneys, homebuilders, physicians, etc.

5.Volunteer Organizations - such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Church, etc. List them all and their members.

6.Personal Sports Teams and Kids Sports Teams - You would need to expand your idea of sports.

7.Alumni - Past, Present, and Future - Who doesn't want to help a fellow alumn, sorority sister or fraternity brother.

8.All the People Your Contacts Know - Just as you have hundreds, or thousands, of people in your network, so does each person you contact is connected to others.

Now that you've made your list, you have to figure out who you know that can help you get the job of your dreams. Be specific with your request, share how your skills will benefit the contact or the company, and tell your network what is the best way they can help you.