WHAT KIND OF NETWORKING IS MOST BENEFICIAL?
Networking can make many of us cringe! When it is done poorly, most people feel very uncomfortable and ultimately can feel used. So, why do so many of us have anxiety over this way of making new contacts and building lasting relationships? Simple answer: we tend not to create some reasonable expectations, and we tend not to prepare for the "why" and "how" of networking.
First, and foremost, each of us usually decides who we should contact based on what we want to know. If you want to know about a particular topic, you usually determine who is knowledgeable on the subject and then you proceed to talk to this individual. To be prepared and efficient, you need to know and be able to quickly say "why" you are contacting this person and be able to describe "how" they can help you with your investigation. But when you are networking for job opportunities and contacts, you often don't know who you should talk to, and your list of contacts quickly becomes very limited.
Many of us expect others to give us access to their networks, and this is reasonable if you manage your expectations. Remember their contacts are connected to them not you. You must prepare "why" you are contacting these referrals and get to the point of "how" you think they might help you. For some of you who are not comfortable meeting new people, this will take thought and practice, especially if you are not a good communicator!
Also, not all referrals will be helpful. Therefore, keep your expectations in check. Just because you are referred to someone, this does not mean they will take your call, return your call or be helpful. Some will be very helpful and some not at all. This does not reflect on you, but on the process...just keep going. Eventually, you will talk with people who do want to help and have some useful recommendations for you.
Humor helps when you are networking. Most people like to help if they know what you are trying to do or what you are trying to find out. Help them...remember you are building a new relationship. Remember some of the people who have called you for help. Which ones stand out in your mind as effective? Why?
Finally, check out some of the new networking sites that are highly reputable such as LinkedIn and SpeedNetworking. Be open to new ways to meet people in your field. Let me know what you think? And remember, people do make the difference!
Dr. Bamster
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Reader Comments (3)
I think folks who've yet to do networking earnestly, still have this picture of the smarmy smiling glad-handers, who's mis-understanding of networking is to harvest business cards.
And with no other frame of reference, you can feel very uncomfortable starting.
As you say, setting your expectations is important. As is being yourself and not pretending to be someone or something your not. Lets face it people will like and help you for who you are and not for who you want to be.
I agree with your statement about “Be open to new ways to meet people”. I am new to the world of blogging and my recent introduction of it through an online class that I am taking on Online Networking has stretched my comfort zone quite a bit more.
I have always focused on the traditional methods of networking and have met a lot of people over the years and have experienced many of the issues that you raised in your article. I consider myself a “people” person and have become more comfortable in approaching strangers.
It is quite different to network in person and to participate on a blog discussion. As we learn to hone our interests in a more direct and concise way when we are speaking to someone it is a little more difficult to do this through a blog. However, as you read comments to a particular topic you are exposed to a myriad of different viewpoints all in one sitting which you could not have access to if you were networking in a group because it takes time to formulate the blog responses and the thoughts expressed.
However, what I found was that making a cold call to a busy executive is a fast way to get nowhere. Once I actually was able speak directly to them they are always too busy and offended and bothered by my call. I was a nuisance and, because there are hundreds of carreer consultants shoving thousands of job seekers into 'networking', the number of these nuisance calls must be escalating. I found I was considered a phone SPAMMER and my 'networking' attempts were as unwelcome as Viagra and Peinis enlargement emails.
In my current job search, I see more and more employers stating emphatically that calls about the position will NOT be accepted. CAlls for information will NOT be answered and that NO ONE will be contacted for an interview unless THEY are interested.
All of these attempts at 'contact' and 'networking' are just a thinly veiled attempt at getting a free interview. The employers know it and they aren't falling for it. If I was in charge of sifting through the hundred (or even thousands) of computer delivered resumes, I would not have the time or patience to deal with somebody tring to con their way in to an interview with a phony claim that they are 'researching'. It is like the telemarketers who trick you into 'participating in a survey' but are really looking to hardsell you aluminum siding of a time-share. We are being asked to do the same thing. On the pretext of doing 'research', we are going to slip in a hardsell of ourselves. I am not comfortable doing that. It is deceptive and I wouldn't hire somebody who tried it.