Newbie located a high-level music executive on one of well-known online social networking sites. He then emailed an inquiry soliciting advice about how to break into business.

Mr. Top Dog graciously responded. Unfortunately, instead of asking a few well researched and targeted questions, Newbie wore out his welcome by relentlessly hounding executive. He lost his golden opportunity to make a favorable impression with incessant requests for more and more information without offering anything in reciprocity. Mr. Top Dog, whose executive schedule did not permit this kind of self-centered babysitting, finally demanded to be left alone. Game over.

Relational spamming is a complete turn-off to others. “Don’t bombard any contacts or business relationships you forge on online social networks with continued requests for insider info or high-pressure sales tactics. No one likes to be “forward-sold,” Connell cautions. It’s far better to give than receive.

Here are nine cool career tips to ensure you’re more than just a pretty interface while conducting online social networking:

• Google and find best and most user-friendly online social networks

• Create a Profile that self-markets your premium talents and knowledge

• Don’t copy and paste your resume as a replacement for a OSN profile

• When building your OSN Profile, be careful in giving personal information

• Don’t relationally spam others; respect their time and privacy

• Become “go-to person” by providing useful assistance to members

• Maintain professionalism throughout OSN communications

• If you have a personal website, “link back” for search engine optimization

• Make sure your boss or co-workers aren’t on same OSN if you’re in a job search

Social networking gives your contact development efforts more velocity and vitality because it removes traditional hierarchies. Those who join them are those who want to be connected to others, including decision makers. And, as with viral marketing, more you’re known in these networks as a consummate, solutions-oriented professional, greater likelihood people of influence will swarm to you like moths to a light bulb.

3. Ask yourself if you’d be a jerk if you were your boss. Is your performance or behavior creating problems? Do what you can to improve yourself first.

4. Your manager may be a fish out of water. Most people are promoted because they are good technicians or best producers, not because they are good leaders. Practice tolerance and patience.

5. Your manager may lack leadership, communication and emotional intelligence skills necessary to be effective. You can’t change that, but you can choose to do your job well.

You can change how you see things and how you react. However, in some work situations it may take more than that. In that case, a change in where you work may be in order. If so, put together a plan and move on.

Life is too short to work for a jerk. You have options. First, in how you see it and react, and secondly in what you are going to do about it.