Networking Etiquette With Friends

Social networking has come to be a very important aspect of how we look for potential career opportunities. Many people who are looking for jobs have benefitted from information they were able to get from friends or friends of friends.

Still, there are mistakes we often commit when turning to our buddies for professional assistance.

Here are some things to avoid when going to friends to land a new job:

1. Failing to show an interest in your friend. Never begin your approach to a friend by asking them to do something for you. The better way to start the conversation is to first show a genuine interest in what is going on with your friend. Make your friend feel that you are being a friend first.

2. Expecting a friend to know everything about you. It's your job to remind your friends about what has been keeping you busy the past few days, weeks or months. You can't expect your friends to act as the human versions of your resume. The thing to keep in mind is that when your friend casually mentions a job opportunity in another company, try to tie into your conversation how your previous experience may be relevant to that job vacancy, if the job is within your interests. Summarize where you are at and try to keep things current.

3. Using your friend simply to connect you with other people. Your friend will easily catch on if that is all you are up to. If you noticed some important names in your friend's LinkedIn profile that you would like to have the chance to be acquainted with, you might try expressing a desire to work in the same company as the name you saw in your friend's page. Never ask for an introduction right away. Give your friend the chance to offer the opportunity to you.

4. Asking for a recommendation. The only friends you should be asking to write recommendation letters for you are those who have actually known you in a professional capacity. If they're merely social friends, any recommendation coming from them will sound weak.

5. Calling up your friends only in times of need. We may lose touch with a friend once in a while. However, trying to reconnect with them just to seek their help with a job is certainly out of line. As mentioned earlier, make sure you first show a genuine interest in what's happening to your friend. And make sure it's really a friendship you have by making it a two-way relationship.