People I used to know....and still do

One of the best ways to generate leads is by contacting people with whom you have dropped out of touch with.  Blow the dust off some of those old notes and files and see if you can find out where people are now.  Some pointers that may help that first phone call / email:

• Don't call up and tell them you are looking for job.  No one I've ever met has a few spare jobs in their back pocket waiting to give out.  This turns people off like a switch for a light bulb.
• Do say you're interested in hearing what's going on in their career, get some pointers as to what's working well for them and what's not.  Remeber, you're trying to get a feel for what's happening outside your own corner of the world, to do this you want some perspective.
• Do see if you can meet them in their office, or failing that, offer to buy them a cup of coffee after work.  You are asking for their time as well as knowledge.
• As the conversation progresses, try to garner names of people, companies and projects going on.  Don't immedialtely dismiss anything as you are trying to generate ideas to help get your next job.  Sometimes a really silly idea can seem brilliant after you've had time to think about it.

Ask what they're doing in their spare time what spare time?, for a few reasons. 

• Mom always said it's polite, and it is;
• People will open up to you more when you do (it works when people do this with you doesn't it?);
• People in the industry you're targetting often frequent the same socal events, you need to find out what these are and start attending.

I know a lot of this sounds basic, but based on what I've seen and heard from my friends both here and my photography work, this is hard for many people.  It will take some practice.

Some of these people will be pleased to reconnect, some will be luke warm and others won't return your calls.  That's OK, just keep plugging away. 

I just received a call this afternoon from a woman I worked with over 10 years ago and we're having lunch this week.  She's plugging away too....  :)  I'll keep you posted.

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