7 posts tagged “networking”

So, you're graduating in a few months and wondering, "How am I going to get a job in this economic climate?"  Or maybe you've already graduated -- or are mid-career -- and have already experienced the tightening of the employment world.  It's certainly true: employers are reducing hiring at this point.  Well, many of them are.  Others are holding steady or, surprisingly, increasing hiring.  But we'll get to that in a minute.

So, you're graduating in a few months and wondering, "How am I going to get a job in this economic climate?"  Or maybe you've already graduated -- or are mid-career -- and have already experienced the tightening of the employment world.  It's certainly true: employers are reducing hiring at this point.  Well, many of them are.  Others are holding steady or, surprisingly, increasing hiring.  But we'll get to that in a minute.

The old adage, "It's not what you know but who you know" holds sway.  Networking is the premier way to find a new job.  Of course, the word "networking" strikes fear into the hearts of many.  I've discussed the topic before -- and will again, I'm sure -- because of its value (and its largely misunderstood nature).  Today, though, I'm going to focus on the technological tools that making networking if not a breeze, at least a relatively painless process. 

There are hundreds of social networking sites to explore -- and hundreds more social bookmarking sites.  New sites are cropping up constantly.  The social web is the place to watch.  Some of the top spaces are:

Facebook  (http://www.facebook.com)
MySpace (http://www.myspace.com)
Bebo (http://www.bebo.com)
iMeem (http://www.imeem.com)
Xanga (http://www.xanga.com)
Classmates (http://www.classmates.com)
Gaia Online (http://www.gaiaonline.com)
Friendster (http://www.friendster.com)

These are generally social spaces, but they can be used for making employment contacts and finding jobs.  Job seekers be wary --

*  Know your friends (you're known by the company you keep, even in cyberspace)
*  Reveal discreetly to avoid discrimination (photos, gender, marital status, religion, political affiliation, etc all reveal information that is illegal to ask in interviews and could screen you out of the job search)
*  Manage digital dirt (know what's online about you, make sure good information is visible and bad information is invisible)

The net is a tool like any other -- use it as such.  If you use a tool well, it can be an invaluable aid in your job search process.  If you use a tool poorly, it can hinder or sideline your progress.

I have to confess . . . networking doesn't come naturally to me.  I love meeting new people, and I love talking to people but the part about the "two-minute infomercial" is definitely an acquired skill.  After much, much practice.  A great deal of which has been enhanced by my Internet interactions.  Contacts on the other end of a chat screen generally want the brief, attention-getting version of your life story when they say, "So tell me about yourself."

How did I overcome my aversion?  Pure and simple . . . I read a book by Andrea Nierenberg called Non-Stop Networking.  Then, I practiced online.  The more social networking I did online, the easier in-person networking became.  Plus, I set networking goals for myself at an event.  While it's tempting to cling to people I know, I realize that networking with new people exposes me to new ways of doing things.   Sometimes I imagine that I'm an ambassador on a mission to mix and mingle -- focusing this way gives me extra impetus to make connections.

And my next confession . . . quite honestly, I love hearing how others do things differently (even if it's better).  Each time I step out of my comfort zone, it gets a little easier and more natural.  Maybe I'll be a natural networker by the time I retire!

Networking is a concept that is difficult for many to grasp, particularly those who are transplants to the American culture or who are reserved by nature.  Another confession . . . for the longest time, I thought networking was only for people who were actively job hunting and wanted to make contacts to find a job.  A huge (and common) misconception!  Upwards of 60% of jobs are gained through networking, but networks provide a wealth of resources. 

I now realize that networking is a careerlong process.  You can search for leads, recruit new hires, promote projects, raise venture capital, and gather knowledge and resources through your network.  I would posit that your career horizon is only as strong as the network you build! 

As with a real web, the links are bi-directional -- meaning it is meant to be a mutual relationship with each person benefiting at some point.  Like a social network, a face-to-face network has the potential to connect you to multiple branching networks.

myspace-networking.jpg

A college student or new grad may wonder:  What do I have to offer to a young professional or a seasoned careerist?  Plenty -- your fresh perspectives of the field, cutting-edge classroom ideas, and as you build your network and progress in your career, other people to introduce to your contacts.

So, where do you start?  If you happen to be going to a business meeting, conference or convention, or anywhere amongst other people -- start there:  meet new people, preferably those you can identify as having some connection to your goals, aspirations, or interests.  Online sites make it easy to target individuals with commonalities through interest boards.  Make sure to also join professional networking sites, though, and build your network including both current and new contacts. 

When you have trouble thinking of whom to include in your network, make lists of all your circles of involvement in life (past and present): schools, family, friends, church, civic organizations, hobby groups, co-workers, employers, professional associations, campus clubs, sororities/fraternities, honor societies, etc. 

To nurture your network with etiquette in mind -- choose carefully (quality over quantity); stay in touch (seasonal cards, relevant resources); always be respectful of privacy of contact information and acknowledge assistance from your contacts along the way.

Great resources on the topic of networking include:

Andrea Nierenberg's Self-Marketing Blog (general insights, not all networking -- but she is the networking guru)
http://thenierenblog.typepad.com/

Career Bloom: Networking
http://workbloom.com/employmentblog/networking.aspx

Quintessential Careers: Tools for Networking on the Internet  http://www.quintcareers.com/Internet_networking_sources.html

College Recruiter.com (see "Do Employers Really Hire Candidates from Facebook and MySpace?")
http://www.collegerecruiter.com/weblog/

From time to time, the Girl Scout song I learned in second grade or so runs through my head:
"Make new friends, but keep the old,
One is silver and the other gold."

As we go through life, particularly in our careers, it's important to remember to build our contact list -- not just out of a "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours" mentality that seems so harsh and transactional but out of a genuine interest in surrounding ourselves with both people who know us from "way back" and people who can bring new perspectives to our lives.

How do we meet those new people?  Well . . . here's where that word that strikes fear into the hearts of many pops up: networking.  Yes, networking is the key to meeting new people.  Seriously.  Once you're out of school, particularly if you're out of the singles scene, it's really hard to meet new people.  You tend to be surrounded by the same people every day -- at work, at home, at church, in volunteer organizations (which are potential places for networking).  You go places and do things that put you in contact with people you already know.  So .  . . you have to work harder to get out there and network.

Prime places for networking:
* business luncheons/meetings
* trade shows/professional conferences
* volunteer/civic organizations
* fundraising/social events
* sporting events
* educational activities
* religious activities
* craft/hobby groups
* social networking sites
* anytime, anywhere -- make opportunities

Easy steps to networking:
* Be ready to introduce yourself -- the basics (name, title/slogan/what you're about, unique/distinct features that might be beneficial for people to know about you)
* Have a contact card -- people in industry typically have business cards; if you're not in industry, you can make simple cards that look pretty professional as long as you have a decent ink-jet printer at home; otherwise, you can order them through http://www.vistaprint.com for a minimal fee or have them printed at a local office store. 
Remember:  K.I.S.S.  (Keep It Simple Sweetie)
* Practice a system for remembering names and details of people you meet -- this is critical!  Get contact cards.
* Follow up with contacts -- send them a thank you note or a quick email.  Tell them you enjoyed the conversation.  Share a website or suggest an article/book of potential interest.  Send a holiday greeting.  As for an update on a project-in-progress -- they'll be pleased you remembered.   Give them a referral, if appropriate. 

Key to networking:  Networking is a mutually beneficial relationship.  You give and you get.  You share some resources, you get some resources.  You give some advice, you get some advice.  You send some referrals/job leads/resources, etc -- then you can ask for some assistance.  It's not all "help me, help me, help me."

I used to feel embarrassed with the whole networking process.  Then again, I was approaching it from the perspective of foisting myself on the upper-level workers and asking them to give me a boost in the hiring process -- without offering anything in return.  Well, I was right to have felt embarrassed.  Even a brand new college grad has resources and insights and ideas -- and other contacts -- to offer.  A person who doesn't bring anything to the mix has been living in a hole and has an entirely different set of problems!

So, start networking today.  You can even try a twist:  introduce two people you know who don't know each other but would have something in common.  Then ask if either (or both) of those people can introduce you to someone new in your area of interest.  Share your networks -- it's not how many contacts you have, it's what you do with them that counts.

Maintaining a relationship -- be it a friendship, a networking connection, a romantic partnership, or a working team -- shares some of the complexities of paddling a canoe upstream, against the current.  In order to have a chance at going the distance, you need two people paddling together, in coordination. 

With canoeing, when only one person is paddling on one side of the canoe, the canoe tends to go in circles rather than move in a defined path.   To gather momentum, it works best to use two paddles on opposite sides of the canoe in coordinated fashion -- and, of course, it's most efficient if two people work together to provide the elbow grease for power.

In a relationship, if only one person continually puts forth the effort, the communication will tend to flop.  Reciprocity is required to build and sustain a successful relationship.  Relationships are about give and take, although not necessarily equality.  In any relationship, one person may carry more of the weight for a time until another person can make a meaningful contribution.  The goal, though, is to strive to meet halfway -- or take turns.  Remember the kindergarten lessons!   Listen.  Be kind.  Say please and thank you.  Say you're sorry.  Invite people over.  Share.  Do things together.  Building relationships is so simple a child can do it.  Why do adults complicate the process?

In networking, for example, a student may be approaching a potential employer or colleague for job leads or professional advice for months -- or even years -- before being able to truly reciprocate with professional resources and ideas in return.  In a romance, inevitably there will be times when one person leans on the other for support and encouragement, and this will be true in a long-term friendship as well.

Ultimately, though, the goal of a relationship is to find ways to put your paddle into the stream and pull your weight, be it lending an ear to listen, sharing a professional tip, or offering words of encouragement.  Life offers enough obstacles -- wear the life preserver and don't be afraid to head for land before you hit the rapids.