A network only helps you find a teaching job if you can remember who is in it and keep in touch. This chapter is for teacher candidates who want a simple way to organize their professional contacts, what to note about each person, and how often to follow up. It closes Section I and builds on the chapter on treating everyone as part of your network.
This is Chapter 15 of 51 from Road to Teaching (2025 edition). Read the whole book free, in order, at Read the Book.
By Dr. Eric Hougan
“If you can organize your kitchen, you can organize your life.”Louis Parrish
As you build your network, it is a superb idea to begin assembling some type of organizational system for tracking your contact information. There are many approaches to managing your contacts; however, the key is to find an organizational system that is easy for you to manage and update on a regular basis. Maintaining a contact list can quickly become a burden if you choose a format that is time-consuming or not easily accessible. For this reason, it is wise to think carefully about what kind of system will work best for you and your needs before you begin.
Consider utilizing a web-based application to manage your network. You can create contact lists through free email accounts offered by Google or Microsoft. Using these services will allow you to easily create contacts and personalize with information such as shared interests, dates/places of meetings, mutual acquaintances, etc. for each related contact. Additionally, you will be able to share and retrieve information from any device with an Internet connection.
Modern contact management systems offer sophisticated features beyond basic information storage. Dedicated contact management apps allow you to tag contacts by categories (e.g., “administrators,” “math teachers,” “university connections”), set reminders for follow-up, and even track your interaction history. These tools turn static contact lists into dynamic relationship management systems.
Further leverage your growing network by joining a professional networking site, such as LinkedIn (https://linkedin.com), which can also be accessed via an app. Simply import your email contacts, and you will be able to view their profiles, which will provide you insight into their education, work experience, and interests. The site will also suggest new connections for you based on the contacts, groups, and organizations you choose to follow, providing even more opportunities for networking. LinkedIn offers other features as well, such as convenient messaging and the ability to join professional groups.
For education-specific networking, consider joining platforms like specialized Facebook groups for teachers in your content area or region. These spaces often share job openings before they’re widely advertised and provide opportunities to demonstrate your professional knowledge through discussions.
Alternatively, you could store all your contacts in a spreadsheet, like Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel. This allows you to use special functions like sorting, filtering, and conditional formatting to organize your network strategically. And, if you wish, you can export your spreadsheet contact file into an email-contact platform or LinkedIn.
When documenting your network contacts, include information that will help you maintain authentic relationships:
- Notes about their professional interests or current projects
- Details about your conversations that you can reference in future interactions
- Important personal information they’ve shared (children’s names, hobbies, etc.)
- Potential ways you might support their work or interests
- Dates of significant interactions to ensure regular follow-up
Finally, once you have established your organization system, stay actively engaged with your network by keeping in touch and sending updates on a regular basis. For instance, simply send an email (or use LinkedIn messaging) once every few months to say hello, tell them about changes in your life, and genuinely inquire about their lives as well. This concerted effort to keep in contact on a consistent basis will nurture stronger relationships. Networking is intended to be mutually beneficial for all parties involved, therefore, being proactive about regularly staying in touch will also keep you from being perceived as a person that only reaches out when they need something.
Consider creating a regular schedule for network maintenance—perhaps dedicating one hour each month to reviewing your contacts, sending thoughtful follow-up messages, and planning any in-person networking opportunities. This systematic approach ensures that relationship-building becomes an ongoing professional practice rather than a sporadic activity only pursued during job searches.
Remember that effective networking ultimately revolves around authentic human connection. While organizational systems are essential tools, they should support—not replace—genuine relationship building. The most valuable professional relationships develop when both parties find meaning and value in the connection beyond immediate professional benefits.
Invest in a robust contact management system that captures not just basic information but also personal details and interaction history that enable authentic relationship building. Regular network maintenance and thoughtful follow-up will strengthen these professional relationships and increase their value over time.
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