I spent some time reading How Absolutely Definitely NOT To Build Networking Relationships this afternoon. Beyond just being a great read, it is exactly what the author suggests:

…a rather tongue-in-cheek look at network relationship-building

In this article, the author lists many of the things that you can do to ruin your network. And believe me, there are plenty of ways to cause harm. My personal favorite is:

Don’t invest too much effort in your relationships. Remember, as soon as you have found the job of your dreams, you are going to drop these contacts like a ton of hot bricks anyway – well, at least until the next time you need them.

What makes this article really stand out to me is that everyone has made at least one of these mistakes when it comes to networking. However, knowing and avoiding mistakes is only half of the game. Realizing that you’ve made a networking mistake and taking corrective action is just as important.

Either way, this is a great post. Check it out here.

Related posts:

1. Why network?
2. The Layers of Social Networking
3. The Three Best Ways To Contact Your Contacts
4. Maintaining your network
5. What is networking?