Curiosity filled the cat's address book

Most of us are blessed with an incessant need to know other people's business. Nightly news bulletins and current affairs programs are loaded with human interest reports, reality tv continues to ply us with salacious storylines and deeply personal information on its subjects. Our conversation with colleagues, friends and family tends to be about specific people in the media spotlight rather than events - we use information as a way of connecting with one another and establishing common interests.

Similarly, we talk about ourselves in order to establish close bonds. Besides being a favourite topic for most people (whether the news is good or bad), talking about yourself is an important means of establishing trust and loyalty. Your listener gets the message that you have selected them as an ally, someone who will keep your confidence and treat your sensitive information with respect. Ideally that message is reciprocated, and a mutual bond is formed.

In sourcing new work opportunities, this instinct for human self-disclosure can be used to your advantage. Everyone you come into contact with, either over the phone, online or in person, has valuable information worth storing and recording. There is no need to arm yourself with microphone bugs and freelance for ASIO, this is more about broadening your awareness of the infinite network around you. If you go to a barbecue on the weekend (ideally with outdoor heaters and good coffee - denial is no match for winter!) the questions are there to be asked. How do you know the host, what do you do, what does your partner do, how long has that been happening, how did it come about, how is it going, who is that, can you introduce me. Anyone who has worked as a telemarketer or in a supermarket check out knows that a simple "how are you, how's your night going" is a small blessing and starts a much more interesting conversation.

The key is to write these details down. Who you met and what they said is not only going to be of use to you, it could also benefit someone else. Helping others establishes you as an important contact, and you know they will come back to you in the future. The infinite online network of people is available without even leaving the house. Let your curiosity off the leash and start asking questions!