Use a Network Profile for better discussions and follow up.

Network Profiles trump Resumes when Networking.

Often a resume can be a turn off. However a Network Profile can help create conversations.

When networking, you don’t want your contacts (new & old) to focus specifically on finding you a job, rather, have them focus on the #1 question of networking for mutual benefit – “Who do you know that I should talk with?”

Therefore, in order for the people you are networking with to be able to help you, they could use a “leave-behind” document about who you are. We call this a Network Profile

Often job seekers leave their resume. This is all well and good if they are recruiters and know how to decipher a resume to be able to introduce you to that next great conversation.

Here is likely a better idea, give them a Network Profile document that includes:

Your contact information
Areas of Expertise
Specialties

Target Market Characteristics

Objective
Target Positions
Industry or Type of Organization
- Culture, Work Ethic, etc
Size of organization
Geographic Location

With this information they can think about you and who they need to introduce you better. They’ll be able to think about specifics rather than resume content.

Here is a sample Network Profile. Consider writing your own in this format and use it as your leave behind instead of your resume when appropriate and useful.

Not only will this help your network contacts, but it will leave them thinking that you are different and better. This will help them to remember you and thus, help you.

Here is a new Networking Profile Template you can use to develop your own.

Sample #1 Networking Profile

Sample #2 Networking Profile

When you send this document to your networking contacts, consider using the Subject Line {Your Name} – Personal Profile or {Your Name} – Professional Profile

Use Dropbox (or another cloud based document storage system) to be able to share your networking Profile with the people you want to network with.

Get a Dropbox account, you’ll love using it for lots of stuff beyond your Networking profile or Resume.

Check out the Dropbox help – https://www.dropbox.com/help/90/en

Or watch this quick video of how to use Dropbox for uploading and sharing your networking profile.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=on0iAUxXLPU[/youtube]

Check out the book Networking for Mutual Benefit if you want to learn more about how to do this properly.