Diversify Your Contacts

It's easy to get caught in a rut...hanging out with the same people, doing the same things. It's comfortable and that's OK. However when you are looking for a job, you need to mix things up a bit. Doing the same things with the same people...that needs to change!

I don't encourage blowing off your old friends...but now is the time to meet some new people, reconnect with some old people, and do things you haven't done in awhile or have always wanted to do...diversify your contacts. Whether you keep a handwritten list, a Rolodex, an outlook contact list or you rely on Facebook to keep you perpetually connected, look up some old friends. That's the easiest place to start. Reach out to someone you haven't spoken to in awhile. It's always nice to hear from someone you haven't heard from in awhile...try it! But you need to follow through. Meet at a familiar watering hole or restaurant. Go somewhere you used to go in the "old days". Reconnect and re-familiarize yourself with old friends.

Making new friends isn't always that easy. Where do you go to meet new friends? I would hit up my current friends. Recently an old friend of mine had a party that I attended. I did what all true networkers do, I brought one of my current friends. While I was there, I met someone that we just hit it off and now I have a new friend. So it worked out great!! I introduced a current friend to an old friend (that is a great icebreaker because they have good "material"...particularly with me!). Don't be shy about asking if you can bring a friend. If your friends are really friends, they won't mind more friends at the occasion, right?

Good luck in your quest to diversify your network...it's easy!!