Building a valuable network
Individuals seeking employment are
well advised to take a longer term approach in addition to the pursuit of known and
listed job opportunities- a bit difficult to see intuitively when there is a
sense of urgency about finding some cash-flow.
What you really are best advised to do (all the time -even when you are
gainfully employed) is to build a network of people that know who you are and have
a positive sense of you so that they are poised to recommend your name and forward
your contacts when the coincidence of another person in their network asks them
if they know anyone that does x activity. After that you want to make it easy
for them to find out more about what you have done and how you do it so they
can get a feel for whether you fit their needs.
Ironically if you meet people and they remember you as
" person looking for work" it doesn't fuel such a positive network.
If you meet people and ask them to help find you work or tell them you are
looking for a job you have to realize you are presenting them with a new
problem that they didn't have and another chore for them to add to their
list. Real supporters and friends are rare. It is hard for others to step up
and add more chores to their already busy list of to dos- even if they want to.
Instead you are best advised to make it a point to take one
new interesting person out to lunch each week under the premise that you are in
the process of redefining your life path and that you are not in any hurry and
have decided to meet with a broad range of "really interesting
people" and try to get a better understanding about how their career
expectations and lifestyle have evolved before you start your next chapter.
This usually disarms people who are sensitive about being asked to attend a
meeting that could turn into an uncomfortable request for work. Lunch is a good
thing to offer in return for the meeting. Even the busiest and highest level
people tend to eat lunch and they are often only available at that time.
When you meet with
the new contact never ever tell them you are looking for a job. Instead focus
only on asking about “them” in every aspect that they are comfortable to
discuss. Engaging people in a conversation that helps them reflect on their own
life choices and values- that allows them to be the yoda and share wisdom- is a
valuable, memorable and flattering situation for them. Having such a
conversation with them will then be your brand with them- and they will be
likely to remember.
Typically after exhausting a discourse about themselves, a
moment will arrive where the guest asks, " so (enough about me) tell me
about you? " This is a rare opportunity to leave them with an impression
about you that can significantly advance your network and propel your brand. If
you can, match the topics that they felt comfortable to share with you- with
your own ideas about the same.
Be prepared to articulate with clarity that which you are
passionate about. Talk about the kinds of things you are considering in the
future. Again- It is important that you always genuinely communicate that you
are in no hurry.
Before you depart the
lunch ask the contact to suggest two other really interesting people that fit
your interview mission. If all is well they will share some names and this will
be a clear symbol that you have gained their sense that you are genuine in your
mission and can be trusted with their network.
By approaching the relationship in this way you lay the
groundwork to be recommended.
Imagine that on a
weekend not long after your meeting this individual contacts one of their
personal and professional friends. They invite them over for dinner, but they
decline and explain that they can’t come because they are swamped with a
project. In the moment they also ask, “ You wouldn’t happen to know any great
people who can do ( x) would you?” If you fit the bill and left a good
impression then this is the best of all conditions for a personal
recommendation.
As you repeat this process you will exponentially develop a
network of people that are comfortable to recommend you when one of their
trusted network members happens to be looking for someone like you. This is the
way the very best positions are filled. They usually don' ever get listed.
These are the ones you want to have access to- they start with an introduction
from a trusted source.
In my experience it takes some time, as much as six months
or longer before the network effect kicks in, and then one day you will get an
e-mail or phone call.
