Finding the Energy to Network
It’s an interesting phenomenon that often occurs among many job seekers. Everywhere you go, you hear the call to “network, network, network.”And statistics continue to show that the old adage: “It’s who you know”still rings true. Depending on whom you believe, networking in one form or another can account for anywhere from 60% to 80% of all job placements.
Wow! Those are pretty good stats! So why, then, does it seem so hard for all of us, job seekers especially, to find the energy to do it?
I’m not sure anyone can give you exact reasons, but here are a few that I have compiled after having coached hundreds of job seekers each year through the job search process:
1. Networking isn’t linear. You know, when you apply for a position online, it’s pretty straightforward. The company posts an ad; you submit your resume. Never mind that more times than not you will never receive a response from that company, it still feels like progress to you. You can check it off a list. Pat yourself on the back. You did something!
Networking, however, is completely different from that. You show up at an event, have coffee with an old friend, or start up a chat on a social networking site. The experience may be pleasant, but you often walk away feeling like it didn’t do much to further your cause. You talked about the weather, your kids, the latest American Idol winner, etc. How does any of that lead to a job?
Yes, it is certainly true that networking does not move in a straight line. That’s because it is about people and relationships. Others want to help; they prefer to help someone they feel they know something about. That’s just human nature.
2. Networking requires us to “put ourselves out there. Basically, it feels like selling, and many people don’t like sales. Therefore, the term “networking” sounds cold. Friends suddenly become “contacts,” and we aren’t sure how to move into that realm, or whether we even want to. We’d like to believe that our assets/experiences speak for themselves. We shouldn’t have to “prove” it or “sell” it, especially when speaking with our friends, professional or otherwise.
3. Networking is ongoing and time consuming. If you attended all the networking events in your area and you chatted with all your friends on LinkedIn and Twitter, it wouldn’t leave you much time for anything else. Therefore, it can seem overwhelming to try and utilize all these different avenues.
So what is the cure? How do you overcome that energy-depleted feeling you get when you start to think about networking?
Like so many things in life, it is about setting the proper expectations. And when it comes to networking, most of us misunderstand the goal and, therefore, wear ourselves out.
When job seekers approach networking, they often think, “I’ll call so and so to get me a job” or “I’ll shout out my job need on Twitter and someone will give me a job.” These are nice thoughts, but networking rarely works that way. One of the most overlooked aspects of networking is that it is really about giving much more than it is about taking. It’s an amazing concept but true: People are attracted to those who are willing to help out.
I know, you’re unemployed, so of course, you need to ask your friends and colleagues to consider how they may be able to assist you. But don’t forget also to think of ways that you can bring something to the table. Find a fellow job seeker to encourage or swap info with. Write a blog for your industry discussing how to solve an ongoing issue and send it out to other pros. Pass out someone else’s resume. These are the types of things that make people want to speak with you and recommend you. It’s not necessarily all about charm and personality (although those are always nice characteristics to have). It’s about being a giver.
And it’s an amazing thing how being willing to give, even at a difficult time, ends up benefitting you the most…not just in a potential job contact but in providing you with the energy boost to keep going. You’ve found a way to be productive for someone else, to use your job search to say something to your industry or make another person’s day. That’s energizing! And it’s what makes networking work.
Listen. You can apply to all the position openings you want, and in about 5% of cases, it might get you the job. But all you will ever be in that scenario is one more resume to review. Yet if you post an industry-related article, think of ways to solve a problem for one of your colleagues, or recommend another job seeker for a position opening you know about, now you are really unique. That’s what makes you stand out. And believe me, people notice.
Does it take time? Yes. Should it be the only thing you do? No. Job seekers should take a diversified approach to their job search, and networking is just one tool, albeit a very important, and proven effective, one, if done well.
So take another look at how you have been networking so far. My guess is that you need an “expectation adjustment.” Change the expectation, and you will change your motivation. And the last time I checked, motivated people don’t need to worry about drumming up energy!

2163 total views, 1 today

Tags: Job Searching in 2009, networking