The Power and Pleasure of Networking

Today was one of those days we all wish for when engaged in career transition.  I had an informational interview or 'pure' network meeting that really lifted my spirits.  Let me explain.

When I talk with people about networking, aside from the usual…

      'I don't know anyone to network with',

what I generally hear is…

      'It's uncomfortable'.

      'It's fake.'

      'I know they don’t have a job for me.'

      'Everyone knows you're just looking for a job'.


Yes, those you network with know that you're in the market.  They don't have a problem with that.  It's the way you feel about what you're doing and the way you approach people that can really make the difference between a positive, productive network meeting and one that never gets off the ground.  Again, let me explain.

People become uncomfortable when they feel you expect them to have a job for you.  Most often people want to help, but if your only approach is 'do you have a job for me?' they have nowhere to go if the answer is no.  You must enable the network process by expanding what you're looking for.  Let me explain what I mean by enabling the process.

A network meeting is truly an information interview.  You enable the process by expanding what you’re looking for beyond simply an open position.  The network meeting is an opportunity to get feedback on your resume.  It's an opportunity for you to get information about a company, a field, a specific type of work.  It's an opportunity to get some ideas about other paths you might pursue.  It's
an opportunity for you to get the names of other people you can reach out to who may or may not have an open position but can give you information, guidance and advice as well as the names of other people to connect with.  The more people you connect with, preferably in person, the greater your network of fans will be.  And, the broader your network of fans, the more likely that someone will either have a job for you or know of someone else that does.  Look at all the opportunity you create when you network!

Let me get back to that concept of a 'pure' network meeting.  I got to the person I met with today through someone I'd networked to through a friend.  So this person was twice removed from my main contacts.  I knew going in that there were no open positions.  To me, that qualifies as a 'pure' network meeting.  I went in with a clean copy of my resume and a list of questions, but no expectation that there would be a job there.  What I was hoping for was information, suggestions and connections to others.  I clearly didn't know what to expect, although most people I've networked to and with have been positive and friendly.  But sometimes you leave a network meeting with positive feedback and no new leads to follow, and sometimes you connect with a true networker so you leave the meeting with new ideas and contacts.  That's what happened for me today.  We had a great exchange of ideas and information and I left with three other possible career paths to explore, the names of three people to explore them with and feeling like there are more options out there for me than I was aware of.

There is no question that networking in this climate is tough, as people are getting a lot of requests for meetings.  There is no question that people are not as responsive as they might be if we were operating in a boom economy.  And, while on-line networking is a great way to connect with a lot of people, there is no replacement for meeting someone face-to-face. 

So get out there.  Pick up the phone and make some appointments.  As mentioned in an earlier post, don’t sit down to make one call.  Sit down with a list so you improve the odds of scheduling some face-to-face meetings.  Just try it!  You may not learn to love it, but hopefully you’ll experience the power and potential pleasure of networking and meet some interesting people along the way.