The same is true for prominent doctors and lawyers who speak with many people during the course of each day. Clergymen, accountants, hospital trustees, members of the Chamber of Commerce or other civic groups, members of industrial development boards, investment bankers, insurance brokers, and many others also fall into this category. Younger people should think of an influential as anyone who might have influence on your obtaining a job offer. For example, if you were an engineer interested in a particular firm, you could call and ask to be connected to the engineering department. You could then explain your situation to the person who answers, and ask for a referral to someone who would take a few minutes to speak with you.
Most people are eager to help others, and it is easy to develop a network of new contacts.
You can expand your business network by dining in restaurants patronized by those in your field, or attending seminars, parties and supplier meetings. Anything you can do to gain visibility will result in easier initiation of new contacts. Taking an active role in community affairs, politics and service clubs, along with speaking at seminars and trade associations, will serve as a means of accomplishing the same end. Trade shows can be an efficient medium for developing contacts. In one location you usually have dozens of people assembled, and all of them are there because they want to talk to people.