Mastering Your Professional Network

Keeping track of your contacts is extremely important if you want to thrive in your industry. Having connections might be the most important aspect of getting a job, growing in the workplace, and expanding your career opportunities. In many fields, networking often makes the difference between landing a position and being overlooked. Beyond job hunting, maintaining relationships with your contacts can lead to new collaborations, mentorships, and valuable advice.

However, maintaining and managing these contacts can be difficult, so here’s a great way to keep them organized without ending up with a pile of business cards scattered throughout your house.

First, remember that opportunities can come from the least expected places, so it’s essential to have your contact list readily available on your phone. In my experience the most effective way to do this is by creating a spreadsheet using Excel or Google Sheets. Both platforms offer mobile apps, making it easy to access and update your contacts on the go. 

What’s the difference between adding contacts to your phone versus using a separate app or spreadsheet? Keeping your professional connections in a dedicated space is crucial. In your phone’s general contact list, career contacts can easily get lost among personal ones, making them harder to find or follow up with when needed. A spreadsheet or contact management tool keeps your professional network organized and easily accessible.

The value of your contact list comes from the details you include, not just the basics. Here are a few key categories to make your list more useful:

• How, where, and when you met. People often forget brief encounters, so noting how, where, and when you met helps personalize follow-ups and makes it easier for them to remember you.
  Example: “Hi Daniel, I hope you’re doing well. We met last Thursday at the job convention, and I wanted to follow up with you.”
• Why is this person in your contact list. Adding a description of their specific skills or why you connected helps when you’re searching for someone with a particular expertise. For instance, “This person builds websites—a great option if I need help with web design.”
• Additional information. This category is for random details that show you took a personal interest in them. People appreciate when you remember small things about them, so bringing these up in conversations can strengthen your relationship. For example, “Has two kids and loves mountain biking” or “Big fan of jazz music.” Mentioning this in future conversations shows you’re paying attention and value the connection on a personal level.

Finally, always follow up after meeting someone for the first time. Ideally, you should follow up the next day or within a week while you’re still fresh in their mind. A quick email or message reinforces the connection and shows you’re serious about building a relationship. This step is crucial for solidifying new contacts and maintaining momentum.

By including these details and following up promptly, your contact list becomes a powerful tool, helping you manage not just names but real relationships that can benefit your career in the long run

Here is an example of a sheet, feel free to use it.

Useful links: 

https://workspace.google.com › products › sheets