KIT

It must be scrawled on every elementary school yearbook-KIT (Keep in Touch, for those of us who have forgotten).  Keeping in Touch is the single most important part of networking.  If you attend an event and meet 100 people and you don’t keep in touch with any of them, the event was probably a waste of your time.

Keeping in Touch is as simple as taking the time to write an email to someone that you’ve met.

It’s not too late to keep in touch, review your recent contacts and pick one person, just one person to follow up with this week.  

Keeping in touch is the very step in creating a lasting relationship.

Following Up Without Fear

Following up after an interview can be nerve wracking.  

You want to appear interested, but not desperate.

You want to be confident, but not cocky.

You want to be eager, but not obnoxious.

How do you strike a balance when following up?

Forbes offers four ways to follow up after an interview without being annoying here.

The All-Important Email Update

Remember those networking contacts you have that gave you some great advice?  

Perhaps, they introduced you to someone in their network.  Or maybe they suggested that you attend a particular meeting. 

Send your contacts an email updating him or her on your progress since you last spoke.  Did you get that interview?  Did you meet with that client? Did you email the contact they suggested?  

If they extended advice or a contact to you, they certainly would like to know the steps that you have taken since you last spoke.  If you take their advice and follow up, they will continue to offer you advice and introductions.

When following up with your networking contacts, be open to their suggestions.  You never know what will get your foot in the door or your resume on a desk.