Anyone who has heard me speak knows I am a strong advocate of networking. Every job I have ever landed, both internal and external moves, has come from networking. And several of those either didn't exist or already had someone else in the job at the time.
What constantly surprises me is how difficult so many find it, especially in a career search. After all, I grew up as an introvert. I then went into the actuarial profession, where we were not known for our communication skills, so if I could learn to be a master networker, why can't everyone?
I think a lot of people never get past the basic psychology of effective networking, and that blocks them right from the start. I've written and spoken volumes about the right way to approach networking, and the traps to avoid, yet find that those who've read or heard those messages still trip over the nuances that can make it successful.
First off, networking is about relationships.
If you approach it as an attempt to talk to as many people as possible and tell them what you are seeking, it isn't going to work. This is the "get as many business cards as I can" approach, and it is totally ineffective.
Before I'm willing to use my precious time and connections to help you, you have to make the investment in the time and energy to get to know me, and for me to get to know you. In other words, we have to have a relationship!
This is one reason why it is so important not to wait until you are looking for a job to start networking. Then it's an uphill battle, trying to build those relationships essentially from scratch, which obviously takes a lot longer and a lot more work. It can be done - I've shown my clients exactly how to do that - but it's so much easier if you've been maintaining powerful relationships all along the way.
Second, networking is about giving.
If your approach is to simply tell people what you are seeking, and then to ask them for their help, why should they help you?
For the rest of the article, just drop me a note at John@JHACareers.com, or you can visit my website to check out the contents of past issues and selected articles at www.JHACareers.com/Newsletter.htm
Other topics I covered in this most recent issue include:
John
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John West Hadley Career Search Counselor (908) 725-2437
"Land The Job And Pay You Deserve" Get 100's of Career Tips at www.JHACareers.com
