Contacts list

Use advice and help from others

Think about the following situations. Chances are you've been networking.

Situation 1: choosing and applying for my university course

  1. I made the decision on my own and made the application without any help
  2. I got a small amount of help from others in making the decision and/or with the application
  3. I was helped by others in making the decision and/or application
  4. I got a lot of help from others in making the decision and/or the application
  5. Someone else made the decision for me and/or completed the application form

If statement 2, 3, 4, or 5 applies most to you, think about who helped you or gave you advice. Add others that are not included in this list: parent, teacher, careers adviser, friend, relation, neighbour, a student at a university, and others...

Situation 2: making my biggest ever purchase

  1. I researched, chose, and purchased this item without any help at all from other people
  2. I got a small amount of advice from others in deciding which item to buy
  3. I got a fair amount of advice and help in deciding what to buy and/or making the purchase
  4. I got a lot of advice and help from others in deciding what to buy and/or making the purchase
  5. Someone else decided what I would buy and made the purchase for me.

If statement 2, 3, 4, or 5 applies most closely to you, think about who helped you or gave you advice. Add others that are not included in this list: parent, friend, relation, neighbour, fellow student, salesperson, expert (TV/magazine), and others...

Situation 3: getting my internship, placement or part-time/vacation job

  1. I found out about and obtained this job without any help at all from other people
  2. I got a little help from others in finding the vacancy and/or in applying and preparing for the interview
  3. I got a fair amount of help in finding the vacancy and/or in applying and preparing for the interview
  4. I got a lot of help from others in finding the vacancy and/or in applying and preparing for interviews
  5. Someone else got the job for me - little effort was required on my part

If statement 2, 3, 4, or 5 applied most closely to you, think about who helped you or gave you advice. Add others that are not included in this list: lecturer, careers adviser, friend, student, relation, parent, neighbour, and others...

How good are you at using contacts already?

Add together the numbers of the three statements that you chose. For example, if you chose statement 3 for situation 1, statement 4 for situation 2, and statement 2 for situation 3, the total is 9.

  • if your score totals six or less: you may not have used contacts in these situations as much as you could have done
  • if your score totals between 7 and 12: you made considerable use of contacts in making these decisions and taking action
  • if your score totals 13 or more: you may have been too dependent on others in at least one of these situations

Good networkers use advice and help from others to make their own decisions. They then take appropriate action. Which of the people in your previous networks could help you now?