How to find contacts to network with?

Making professsional contacts in a new city

• How do I build a network of professional contacts in a new city? I'm moving to Washington DC from outside the US in the summer. For me to be successful in my job, I'll have to make lots of contacts with influential and informed government officials and think tankers. Only trouble is, I know no-one in DC. What's the best way to approach this? I'm interested the whole process: how to find prospects, how to make the first move, how to maintain contact, which online networking organisations to use, and systems for managing my contacts when I find them.

• Answer:

  I work as a project manager for an industry association representing high tech companies. Networking is basically a core competency of my job. So... Give yourself six months. Also, I'm assuming you have a job already. Just phone people up that you might be expected to work with, explain you're new to the city, and you're looking to make contacts. Take them out for coffee. Ask lots of questions, making sure to find out what they have planned over the coming year. See if they have a pain that needs addressing. Make sure to inquire about that pain in subsequent conversations. See if you can find a high-quality solution to their pain that is as cheap as possible (in dollars or in social capital). If these people are too important, meet junior members of their staff. Ask each person for two new contacts. The most important thing is to stress that, at the end of the day, you want to help people - this networking exercise shouldn't come off as being self-centered. The key to networking is helping other people be successful, and making sure that you ask for favors as infrequently as possible.