"I don't want to waste my time networking with a bunch of other unemployed people" I can't tell you how often I have heard this. I also hear "I don't have time to network, I am too busy with my job".
The reality is, you don't have time NOT to do these kinds of things.
Anyone can be the "right" person. The key to networking is to develop and nurture relationships.
The facts are that the majority of jobs are filled through internal hires. If you can't be an internal candidate, then your next best bet is to be a referral. How can you be a referred by someone within the company if you don't network?
If you have developed a friendship with the wife of a business owner, do you think she might say something to her husband about this interesting new person she's met? And when that business owner announces that he needs a new Accountant, Product Developer, IT guru, who do you think he will talk to first? His wife. He'll probably complain that he can't find any good talent in his company or that he dreads the interview process or whatever. That is when she'll remind him of you. At least that's the theory. Sound simplistic, I hope so.
We never know how our next opportunity will show itself and therefore, we'll balance our time and network with as many people as possible, because you just never know!
Read around the blogosphere. There are tons of people who are writing about networking and how to do it better. Liz Lynch is one such person who writes and talks about it.
If you know of others, please share!
Mike, how do you know who is in a position to help you? And how do you know you cannot help them?
Pepe Le Peu says "This is the beginning of a beautiful relationship". If you choose to eliminate possibilities and opportunities, you'll never know.
Part 1 of the answer lies in communicating a clear message about what you can do and where.
Part 2 lies in nurturing relationships into trusting ones.
So, I agree, to network blindly is a waste of time. You will want to set goals each time you leave your house. This is hard to do if you don't have and end-result in mind.
I also agree with your final statement, it is too late, you must consider networking a new lifestyle and commit to it. But you've got to start somewhere, so start today and never stop.
Posted by: Career Sherpa | May 14, 2009 at 05:53 AM
Liz Lynch isn't spending time networking with unemployed people. But you are right...it isn't fair to generalize. Some unemployed people might be worth some time if you are unemployed yourself. It is always good to add new people. It also might be worth your time if you are employed and a hiring manager. It is always good to have a pool of potential candidates.
But...Even if I am subscribing to Alba's 60 hour a week plan of job hunting activities, I cannot allocate time to meeting people that are not in a position to help me. And the same holds true if I can't help them. There is nothing in that for ANYONE.
There are "right" people to meet. Especially now - with SO many people looking for work. You cannot afford to be meeting people just to justify to yourself that you showered, put on a clean shirt and paid too much for a cup of coffee. You need to be finding and HELPING others that will ultimately be able to help you at some point in the distant future.
And - it's too late anyway - networking should have been a daily part of your professional routine LONG before the credit market went bad.
Posted by: mike lally | May 13, 2009 at 12:11 PM