Introduction

A professional contact list is a list of people that can help you shape your career. The people (contacts) on your list can

• know about jobs
• know what a job requires
• know about local markets
• know about business opportunities
• know other people who know, etc.
• be potential customers, clients, or partners

You create and continually update the professional contact list. Use it to give yourself tasks that help you get a job, better jobs, or start or grow a business. Add new people often. The steps below outline how to create a professional contact list.

Step 1: Create a Network Map to find Professional Contacts

Create a list of everyone you know. This list will include family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, Church members, classmates, and business cards you may have collected.

Create a network map like the one below. You can do this with paper and pencils or on a computer. Use colors to help you visualize different network paths better. Follow these guidelines:

• The center is you.
• Surround the center with categories for family, friends, classmates or alumni, coworkers, past co-workers, neighbors, church members, etc.
• Then choose one category at a time and list all the people you are connected with in that category. For example: build boxes and connection lines for all your family members.
• For that one category, ask yourself “who is each of these people connected to or friends with?” Build a new box and connection line for each of those new connections.
• Continue extending the map out like this for one or two more degrees of separation.
• Do the same with your other categories.

Step 2: Make a List

Look at this network of connections and identify ten individuals who may be good professional contacts, who may be connected with or have information about opportunities or employers you are interested in. Facebook, LinkedIn and other social media sites are opportunities to locate old friends, lost family, alumni, and other people and opportunities. Write these ten contacts on a list. Keep the list updated. Get into the habit of reaching out to one or more of these contacts each week to pursue opportunities or find more contacts. The professional contact list is an excellent networking tool.

To help with this, consider the following potential resources:

• The article called Tips for Effective Professional Networking
• Local employment service brochures, documents or websites
• Job-search or career development internet sites catered to your industry or region
• Industry forums or professional organization websites
• LinkedIn or other social media articles and posts catered to your industry or region
• Local job fairs provide opportunities to ask a lot of questions to many different recruiters in your
  industry and region, without the need to set up a future appointment
• Ward and stake employment specialists, if available in your area
• Career Development: Making a Plan to Meet Your Career Goals