Anyone looking for a job today has heard that networking is vitally important for the job search process. There’s no denying that. However, not everyone fully understands the fine lines of etiquette that exist when it comes to networking. It’s important to avoid making a few notable missteps as you begin your networking efforts.

1)   Making it all about you. It’s tough, when you’re feeling pretty desperate and/or discouraged with your job search to think about anything else but your need to find a job. However, if you approach the people in your circle of friends, business, and social connections and can’t be bothered to take an interest in what’s going on for them, then you’re not likely to get the results you want. It’s much harder for them to be sympathetic to your situation and needs, after all, when you can’t be bothered to take an interest in theirs.

2)   Asking someone who has no reason to offer a recommendation or reference to provide one. If you haven’t worked with someone in a professional capacity, it’s difficult for them to provide a professional recommendation. Not only does it put them in an awkward position but it would also serve as a weak, at best, endorsement of your qualifications to a potential employer.

3)   Diving right into your plea for assistance. It will leave the person on the receiving end of the request feeling a little bit used. Taking a little time to engage in small talk, ask about the family, and find out what’s going on in the world of the other party is a small price to pay for waiting a few minutes before stating your case. And you aren’t running the risk of raising the ire of a friend or potential future networking partner.

4)   Don’t push friends into helping if they aren’t willing. Respect the wishes of your friends and networks or connections in this matter as well. Don’t hold it against them. You never know what’s happened in the past that will prevent them from wanting to provide a reference. You also never know if they believe they’re doing you a bigger favor by not offering the recommendation due to issues or disagreements with certain executives in the organization.

5)   Failing to be prepared. It’s important to have your spiel in mind before walking up and asking for help. While you don’t want to dive right in without the requisite small talk, you always do not want to stammer and stutter your way through what you have to say. Value their time and your own by practicing your lines ahead of time and having your pitch squared away.

The bottom line is that you don’t want to alienate friends and networking partners before you even get started. Keep these mistakes in mind and you’ll be able to maintain a long and productive relationship within your networking circles.

Ready to learn more about networking as a job seeker? Read our previous relevant posts for expert advice from Davis Staffing:

Job Hunting While Employed – Cover Your Tracks

Is Your Networking Helping or Hurting?