Start with A Plan to Grow Your Network

Why Do You Need A Network:

The chances of your securing your next job solely because you had resume posted online or submitted a resume online are slim to none.  Can it happen?  Sure.  But, when was the last time you were struck by lightening?  Those are the kinds of odds I'm talking about. 

Everyone, must start purposefully growing their network. Perhaps I should more clearly define what I mean.  Purposefully and genuinely start nurturing and expanding the people you interact with and share information with.  Climb out of your cube.  One day, maybe sooner than you think, you will find yourself either dissatisfied with your job/employer or laid off. 

Dan Schwabel's Personal Branding Blog shared these stats, that I hope will shock you into taking action:

• 70% of jobs are secured through networking (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
• Jobs seekers spend 68% of their time looking at online job postings–and less than one-third of their time reaching out to others (UpMo.com)

If you are interested in reading his full post, you can find it here!

Who Do You Need To Know:

Start thinking about who you need to know.  This can be truly difficult if you haven't thought about it before.  Who are the people in your industry or occupation you need to meet because they are doing it really well or being recognized as top performers.  You may find them in a trade publication, association news letter or even the newspaper.  They win awards, give presentations, hold leadership positions.  Start creating a "Wish List" of people you would like to meet.

How Will You Meet Them:

Before you start "cold calling" these "need to know" people and asking to network (YUCK!), find out who you know who may know them.  Ask your friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, everyone, if they know this person and if they might be able to introduce you.  You will need to explain to everyone WHY you want to meet them.  Bear in mind, it isn't just about you.  What do you know that might be of value to this "need to know" person?  Again, this requires a bit of thinking and perhaps research. 

If they belong to an association, they may attend monthly meetings.  They may be giving a presentation.  They are, most likely, networking.  Find out where they "hang out"and go.

If you are on LinkedIn, it is much easier than ever before to find out who knows who.  If you aren't already on LinkedIn, now is the time.

What Will You Say:

This, my friends, is most important.  You don't want to sound like a stalker.  You don't want to come across as desperate either.  Genuinely and sincerely state the reason you would like to meet them and share something you know will be of value to them.

Theory vs Practice:

I know, I know, in theory this sounds really simple.  It is much more difficult to carry out.  But don't let that be the reason you don't do it.  Ask really good networkers for advice.  Read books and blogs.  Think of it as a self-improvement action item. 

Comments

[Recruiting Animal]

I'm in agreeance with the idea of joining a professional association.

You don't even have to take on a role with a lot of responsibility.

I'm the doorman of a genealogy society and I meet everyone and everyone thinks I run the joint so they are always asking me for help.

I'm not on the executive so I never get into power struggles with the other volunteers so they don't hate me and they love it that I show up to work for free.

The one problem is that I don't take this humble role too seriously so I get sloppy. If you're doing professional networking you have to take the work seriously as a demonstration of your ability.

[Career Sherpa]

Hi Animal, (I guess I've made it to the "big time" if you've visited my blog!) I totally disagree! I've been general, not vague.

Each person would have something different to offer of value...it could be an introduction to a future business contact or person of interest, it could be an industry article, it could be something more personal, like a referral to a good mechanic. If they can't figure out how to connect the dots, shame on them.

No one wants to be seen as pathetic, and I suspect that those fears limit people from networking in the first place. Stumble and fall a few times and you'll figure it out, right?

You've opened up an opportunity for good discussion, hope someone takes the bait.

[Animal]

Not a bad article but too abstract.

For instance: "Share something you know will be of value to them."

What are you suggesting here? I can't figure it out.

You're connecting with the person so you can use him. That's obvious. How likely is it that you have anything to offer that is of value?

If you bring something that isn't of any value it will only make you seem pathetic. Better to be humble and accept the role of a true supplicant.

[Donna Svei]

Hi Hannah,

Yuck indeed on asking strangers to network!

I'm a fan of "soft" networking. One of my favorite approaches is active involvement in a trade or professional association. I blogged a "how to" yesterday at http://bit.ly/9JBlMq after reading about how Molly Goldstein of Kansas City found her new job. She learned about her new company through contacts she made while volunteering at a food bank with other members of the Society of Women Engineers.

Cheers,

Donna