If you're competing in the First Annual Networking Challenge (and every job seeker should be), you're probably wondering how to make contact with this year's end person, Gil Stern of Rochester, NY using at least 5 steps.

The simple answer is to check out last Tuesday's first post on Reverse Engineering Your Network to learn the basics. Of course, after you read that post and follow the steps outlined therein, you might wonder what kind of procedure one should follow in working that process. If so, try this simple process:

Make contact. Just as nothing happens in business until a sale is made, no networking can happen until contact is made. After you've reverse engineered your network and asked your contacts to introduce you to people who know someone in your UC's (Ultimate Contact) network (and obtained some info on the new contact), you will need to make contact. In this "REO Speedwagon Technique" ("Heard it from a friend who heard it from a friend who...), you should make a short phone call (the preferred method) or send a short introductory e-mail (not as good as calling). Reference the person you know in common and an item about that person. This serves as an ice breaker.

Make an offer. The person you and your new contact know in common should have provided you with a little "intel" ahead of time. You can use this advanced knowledge to offer assistance to your new contact in some way. Offer some information that may benefit him/her in some way. Offer up a contact or two for further assistance. This shows you know networking is a two-way street and that you're not just a "gimme" type of person. Your first contact should be all about offering your assistance and building a relationship with this new person.

Request. Ask your new contact for an introduction to someone who is one step closer to your UC, but don't do so upon first contact. As stated above, your first contact should be framed around building a relationship and offering assistance. Wait until the second or third time you make contact to ask for an introduction. After you've provided help to him/her, s/he will be more likely to provide an introduction.

IN THE CARAVAN: Make contact with the new person and offer your assistance. Wait until the second or third contact to ask for an introduction to someone closer to your UC.

NEXT TUESDAY: Climbing the Rungs

Check out last Tuesday's post announcing the start of the networking challenge, the end person revealed, and the rules.

Want more Networking advice? Check out these posts and The Lion's Pride section of WildJobSafari.com!

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