Networking Tools and Advanced Strategies 209 Chapter Nine Networking Tools and Advanced Strategies We've been talking all along about a strategic approach to highly effective networking, and now we're going to push that a little fur- ther. If you do the things we've talked about so far, you'll be highly effective in your job search networking--well above average. If you also add some of the things suggested in this chapter, well my good- ness, who knows how good you could get? I say "some of the things in this chapter" because I don't expect everyone to use all of them. Consulting, for example, is not for every- one. But I included it because some people will effectively use it as part of their search. On the other hand, I think everyone should do the first two things on the list, Looping Ahead and Staying Systematic. "Looping Ahead" is about looping back to people you've already talked to in order to move your search ahead. It's an easy way to make networking more effective, and it's also just plain good manners, so we'll take it up first. Second, we'll take a look at staying systematic in job hunting. I'm well aware that some people see being systematic as an important part of anything they do. These people always want things organized and are uncomfortable when they're not. My wife is in this category, and when you want to get something done, you're lucky to have her around. 209