Network now, land new gigs later

By Maggie Zahm

As a freelancer, contractor or consultant, one of the best strategies to implement in your daily routine is networking. Jeff Altman, also known as The Big Game Hunter, attests that this strategy is invaluable when trying to land new gigs. Altman works as an independent head-hunter and has had years of experience placing contract workers.

“Networking now is a full time job- it is 365 days a year, whether you’re on-going or you’re off-assignment, you’ve got to network constantly.”

The idea of continually networking is not a new idea, but at Sologig.com we have a few tips for you to make it a little easier.

Stay in Touch

Networking can be as easy as staying in touch with past clients. Writing newsletters and sending them out to your professional contacts can be a great way to keep everyone up to date on your skills and new types projects you are working on. Feel free to take the newsletter a step further and include personal notes in the mail to past clients. Altman suggests always addressing your contacts and past clients as a friend would. It is important to ask what they are up to, while concentrating on your ability to help them when they are in need. The key aspect of networking is being generous and genuine.

Keeping in contact with past clients will deliver significant results to you, although it may take time. From experience, Altman knows that people often change jobs, and the likelihood that a past client’s new work will also entail outsourcing is high. If you keep in touch with them, even when you are not necessarily looking for new work, they will be more likely to remember you when projects arise.

At the end of the day, Altman stresses, “You can’t wait until you need your next assignment to start working on finding it.”

Jeff Altman in an independent head-hunter, and is also associated with Concepts in Staffing. His websites http://www.jeffaltman.com and http://www.thebiggamehunter.net further explain his career and give advice to those currently seeking jobs.