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w̶i̶e̶l̶d̶l̶i̶n̶u̶x̶.̶c̶o̶m̶

Software Developer One Specific Professional Networking Tip And How It Has Worked for Me

This has to do with improving a Software Developer’s soft skills, has to do with how to talk more with others.

In another post I wrote about how to do networking deliberately and on to do it on a schedule. ( For a Software Developer How to Network (http://w̶i̶e̶l̶d̶l̶i̶n̶u̶x̶.̶c̶o̶m̶/2016.php#2016-08-31 http://w̶i̶e̶l̶d̶l̶i̶n̶u̶x̶.̶c̶o̶m̶/?p=1374 )

That’s another topic — this post covers one specific part of that previous post.

Today’s tip is to, when calling someone to network, make sure to *explicitly mention that the reason I called is to say hi, to ask how they are doing, and to chat*

The key here is to tell the person up front that’s what I’m doing.

That way it’s not weird that I seemingly spontaneously call the person. Also saying this up front clears the air and sets the expectation — I’m not calling to sell them something, and it’s not an emergency call, and I’m not calling to give them something — it’s a networking call — I’m calling specifically to say hi, ask how they are doing, and chat!

Interestingly I fisrt developed this tip for myself with phone call networking and not until later started to use it for in-person and written-correspondence networking.

The times I’ve used this tip, I’ve had good results with the person positively receiving this type of networking call.

Another tip is: to not take it personally if someone doesn’t respond or if someone says now’s not a good time or if someone says they’re busy.

However those are for other days.

Today’s tip is to tell the person that this is why you’re calling.

Tags: #working

[2019 edit: Moved to: https://i̶n̶v̶e̶s̶t̶o̶r̶w̶o̶r̶k̶e̶r̶.̶c̶o̶m̶/2016/... .html.]