Done well, networking can lead you to a wonderful opportunity. Done improperly, it can work against you professionally.
The Art of Networking
Networking. That word often produces one or more of the following reactions:
- What is it?
- I am too shy to network.
- Ugh. ANOTHER networking event?!
- I have no idea where to start!
While we have studied the topic of networking in the past (see What Exactly is Networking?), this is a topic that is always worth revisiting. Done well, networking can lead you to a wonderful opportunity. Done improperly, it can work against you professionally.
This month, we are going to distinguish between what I call proactive (preferred) and reactive networking. Let’s take a look at both methods.
Proactive networking
Proactive networking means you are in charge of your own job search. While this may seem scary, you must realize that finding your next job is ultimately up to you. To be proactive is to look ahead. Here are some specific examples of proactive networking:
- Reaching out to professionals you know. Ask to meet for coffee to discuss your career thoughts and options. Ask for feedback on your ideas and your resume as time allows. Ask to be connected to professionals they know. THANK EVERY PERSON YOU MEET WITH A CARD. This genuine act of kindness goes a long way.
- Creating a solid LinkedIn profile. This gives you the opportunity to connect to others through groups and to connect with other professionals you know. Take the initiative to tell others WHY you want to meet them and remember that the job search is about helping others as much as it is about receiving help.
- Attending networking groups that help job seekers. Take along your portfolio and be prepared to take notes on how to improve your job search. Bring along business cards to exchange when appropriate. Polish up your personal commercial so that you present yourself well.
- Dressing for success. Your job search is about working to find work. Dress up when you go out. You will feel better about yourself, and you will impress people you may never have planned to meet. The job search should be spent mostly out of the house, so dress as if you are going to work – because you are!
- Asking for help. It is a humbling question – but a necessary one. People can only help when they know help is needed. Be prepared to tell others HOW they can help you. Do you need a new contact? A new idea? A new vision? Simply ask!
- Networking within your target company(ies). Narrow your search to where it really matters. Determine to meet the “decision-makers” within the company where you want to work. Check out my former blog on conducting an informational interview for ideas on how to accomplish this.
Reactive networking
Reactive networking means you are relying on others more than yourself to conduct your job search. To be reactive means to look back at opportunities that you could have influenced in a much more productive manner. Here are some specific examples of reactive networking:
- Asking professionals you know to give you a job. Directly asking for a job can backfire, making you look desperate and overly dependent on others. Rather, look for opportunities to talk to others about their careers. When people see that you are taking a vested interest, they will be more inclined to ask how they can assist you in your search.
- Using LinkedIn to ask others for a job. Asking for a job online can also backfire. LinkedIn should be used to foster relationships, learn about new industries, and network with people in your target company(ies). People will know how genuine you are or are not even online.
- Using networking groups to improperly advance your cause. Aimlessly handing out business cards or resumes at a networking group is a turnoff. Your personal commercial should be succinct and specific and should not simply be a litany of your greatest accomplishments. Treat others the way you would want to be treated at a networking event.
- Applying for a job and then asking people to put in a good word for you. This is definitely NOT the preferred method to securing a job. By the time you apply for a job, YOU should have done all you can to research the company and meet people there who can help you in the process. Expecting others to advance your resume without work on your end can be perceived as laziness.
- Refusing to acknowledge you need help. Countless times, my offer to help others has been met with a response equivalent to, “It’s okay. I got this.” As I have mentioned previously, the job search is not a process one can navigate solo. Be careful not to burn bridges behind you in this process!
- Networking with no direction. Sure, it can be enjoyable meeting others and learning what they do. But spending too much time meeting with others with no purpose in mind does nothing to get you closer to your goal of employment.
There IS an art to networking. Hopefully you have a better idea of how to network successfully. Now…go set your next appointment!
