Is Networking Real or Fake?

One of the many reasons people give for not networking is that it's fake. When I suggest that you simply go in to gather information, expand your network, be seen and remembered, but NOT to pitch for or dig for a job, most people state that everyone knows you're really looking for a job and therefore believe that the whole network process is fake. 

Well yes, when you're out there networking you are ultimately looking for a job.  And on the rare occasion when someone uncovers a live one through networking, that's great.  But the immediate goals of networking are to...

• gather information 
• expand your network
• get to know more people and 
• enroll them as part of your search network - your cheering squad

You are out there to be seen, and assuming you make a good impression and nurture your network (meaning stay in touch) you will also hopefully be remembered.

AGAIN, the job I now sit in came through a network contact who sent me an e-mail to let me know about a  a new job posting in the field (in other words, not at her company).  When I me this new network contact  three months prior to receiving that e-mail, I knew there were no open positions in her department.  I went in just to meet someone new and expand my network.  I had no clue that this would be the network contact that would lead me to my new job.

The key to networking is to remember that it is an informational interview - NOT a job interview.  The fastest way to kill your networking is to ask contacts if they have any jobs.  If the answer is no you've just stopped the conversation cold. Even if the answer is yes, if you're not the right match it may be hard to transition over to a pure networking conversation.

If I've written it one time, I've written it 500 times - PEOPLE HATE TO BE PUT ON THE HOOK FOR A JOB.  PEOPLE LOVE TO GIVE GUIDANCE AND ADVICE.

So get out there and mingle with purpose.  Go in prepared to talk about who you are, what you're targeting and have a list of questions in hand...questions about the field, the industry, how the person you're meeting with got their job or the skills that are critical for success in that arena.  Your goal should be to leave with new information - the names of one or two new people for you to contact, perhaps some information about a new company or position to consider, and maybe some feedback on your resume.

We all know that the ultimate success at the end of this process is a new job.  Success along the way comes with every new network contact you meet.