Networking for Business, Leads & the Fun of It
Networking ~ whether for the home office or traditional business ~ is the exchange of information and the cultivation of productive and authentic relationships. Many people claim to get their jobs through their networks. Yet it seems too many would rather visit the dentist than go to a networking meeting.
Networking is about cultivating connections and building your Brand You. According to Owen Frager, below are the five excuses used most frequently. Sound familiar?
I’m shy. Join the club. About half of adults claim they’re shy. But being shy is not necessarily an impediment to being a good networker. Shy people are great listeners and when you let other people do most of the talking, they think you are a great conversationalist.
I can’t afford to go to networking events. Perhaps what you should be saying is I can’t afford NOT to go to networking events. A strong network can help you accelerate your search and land faster. Consider this. If you want a $50,000 salary, your weekly salary is $961.54 and an 18 week job hunt costs you $17,307.69. If building a strong network could help shrink the length of your job search would you still forgo a $25 or $50 event?
I don’t know anyone. Hard to believe, unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past 20 years. Sometimes job seekers believe they don’t know anyone who knows of any open positions and therefore they don’t know anyone who can help. But the point of networking is that you leverage relationships with the people you know to meet the people they know and the people those people know. And the more people you know, the greater the likelihood that one of them will know someone who is hiring.
I don’t like to ask for favors. Neither do I. So don’t. Networking isn’t about taking. It’s about giving — and hoping to receive something in return. Asking someone to help you find a job is a big favor — and not appropriate. Besides, networking is not about asking for favors. It’s about asking for information that will help guide your search. People love being asked their opinion ~ it’s flattering. Asking for information helps build the relationship. When a contact offers you advice, some of that advice may include recommendations for other people you should talk to. And one of those people may actually be hiring.
I’ve lost touch with my network. It would be too awkward to reach out to them now. Not necessarily. Social media tools such as LinkedIn and Facebook have made it easier than ever to reconnect with old friends and colleagues. Much of the awkwardness is removed because the whole point of being on these sites is to find people and be found. Many people rebuild relationships with people from their past online and once the affinity and trust is reestablished, these contacts can be a boon to your network.
What excuses have been holding you back from networking during your job search? Update your website and bio, grab a stack of those killer new business cards, and do like the cruise line commercials used to say, “Get Out There.”
Jeff Zbar, The Chief Home Officer
www.chiefhomeofficer.com
Copyright 2010, author retains ownership. All Rights Reserved.
