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Networking Made Easy
(Even For People Who Shudder At The Thought)
by Nancy Bergman, Executive Vice President
Stanley, Barber & Associates
Networking is the most valuable weapon in your job search arsenal. It also can be a life-long tool to improve your ongoing career success. Effective and focused networking during your job search campaign will increase your exposure and significantly accelerate the process.
Networking is simply getting out and meeting with people one-on-one or in groups. It is a process that affords an opportunity to meet new and interesting people, many of whom will prove to be helpful to your job search. At its best, networking involves both giving and receiving information-information about jobs and careers, industry dynamics, and opportunities.
Networking Objectives
In the context of a job search campaign, aggressive networking strategies accomplish three primary objectives:
- Acquire information
The advice sought from networking contacts can include the job outlook in a particular industry, an honest appraisal of the search strategy in a particular field, suggestions regarding a career change or suggestions concerning target companies to pursue.
- Secure referrals
A key objective in expanding your network is to request referrals to other decision makers and contacts. Some of these referrals may in turn have extensive networks of their own.
- Obtain position
Networking will place you before decision makers who are able to offer a position. This is of course the ultimate objective.
Networking as discussed here is job search related. However, it is important to recognize that the process should be actively maintained on an ongoing basis. An active network will not only allow you to make many new friends, but also will make future transitions more efficient, increase your professional effectiveness regardless of industry, business or function, and allow you to be able to better help others in the future.
AS EASY AS C, B, A
Too many people think of networking as calling up your friends and asking them for a job. This is not what networking is all about. Networking is developing contacts who may be able to assist you in your job search process. It's really as easy as C, B, A. Each of us know many people who we might call our contact..."C" people.
C
(people you know) |
B
(people in an organization) |
A
(actual decision maker) |
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We can use these "C" people to help us link to "B" people (better people). "B" people are usually those who work in an organization which interests us. They many not be the hiring manager but they often can help us get linked to an appropriate decision maker. Thus, we can use the knowledge and connections of "B" people to help us link to an "A" person (an actual potential hiring manager)! It is not until you have a scheduled interview with a hiring manager that you focus on asking for or about a specific job opportunity. The concept can be illustrated as is shown to the right.
You can get this whole networking process started simply by calling a contact. The conversation might go like this: "Bill, I have an interest in the XYZ company. I'd like to get a clearer picture about what's happening there. Do you know anyone who works there. Any help would sure be appreciated!"
You'll notice there was no conversation about needing or seeking a job. Thus your friend does not fee manipulated into "finding you a job."
When networking is approached in this manner, most of your connections of "C" people will be more than happy to be of assistance.
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