News >> Browse Articles >> Hiring & Career Trends

15 Networking Mistakes You Can't Make

Networking, networking, networking.

We’ve all heard about it and we’re sure you’re all doing it — but are you doing it right? Trying to develop job leads and new business contacts the wrong way can be just as damaging as not trying at all, if not worse. You want to (net)work smart, not hard, so make sure you’re making all the right moves.

MonsterCollege shows you just how to build the network of your dreams without making the mistakes everyone else is making.

Need-Based Contact

Imagine you have a friend or relative that you only hear from when he needs money. Do you take their calls? Do you look forward to hearing from him? Very quickly, you have no desire to do anything to help him.

The same goes for networking. If you only get in touch with a contact when you need something—a job, a reference, etc.—their desire to help you will be quickly vanish. Remember, these people are under no obligation to lend you a hand, they want to get something out of the relationship too.

What to do? Make a point of sending an e-mail periodically to just say hello, ask how your contact is doing, or send her something interesting. Not only will this prevent you from being a networking mooch, it will strengthen your relationship so when you do need something, you’ll get it.

NEXT MISTAKE