New grads and first time job seekers often receive different versions of the same basic advice from mentors and counselors: Lean on your network. “Turn to your network,” these sources say. “Your network will help you!” But as young job seekers follow this advice and put this step into action, their network contacts answer the call with a common and confounding question: “What exactly would you like me to do for you?”
The next time you reach out to someone from your list of connections—your friend’s parents, your parent’s friends, your former professor, the person you met at an industry event, or your one-time internship coordinator—here are a few things you may decide to ask for and/or expect.
via 6 Ways Your Professional Network Can Help You – Social-Hire.
