This post was originally posted 11/11/09. I’ve re-posted today because I’d rather give you guys content with value for the second time than give you new content with no value. Enjoy.
Do you know how to network? Not with Ethernet or Wifi… with people. Do you know how to meet other people that can help you and your career? Networking is essential to a speedy and smooth career transition. If Networking is not a major part of your job hunt, it should be!
Right now, 80% of all jobs are going to people who know someone. 95% of Job hunters spend the majority of their time on job boards and job boards are only 3% effective. Why would a person invest over 50% of their time in a 3% return? That makes no sense!
“Technical” people are built to work on technical things. We have a gift for creating elegant solutions. We’re designed to spend long hours solving difficult and complex problems – alone. “People” people are built to talk a lot, be liked, and generally get along. They have a gift for selling, marketing, and building relationships.
When we’re in the midst of a career transition, the quickest way out is to get out of our comfort zone out from behind the computer. We have to meet some people. This is networking.
Here are a few tips for learning to network:
Start With People You’re Comfortable With
Contact someone that you’re comfortable with, but haven’t talked to in a while. Ask them if they’d be willing to have a cup of coffee, a phone conversation, or lunch. You’d like to know more about what they’re up to.
Yes, it’s that simple. Most people will say “sure”.
Over time, you’ll get more used to this and get comfortable with meeting people you don’t know well or at all.
Make Scheduling Easy
You already know your schedule. Consider theirs. Most people have more meetings on Mondays than any other day, so you may want to avoid Mondays, unless the other person offers them up.
Go ahead and make a suggestion, a time and place that should be easy for the other person to make. If you know the person works in downtown Durham, suggest meeting them in downtown Durham. If you know they generally eat lunch late, suggest 1:00pm for lunch.
Be flexible and offer a second set of times… “I’m flexible and generally available Thursday and Friday mornings as well.”
Don’t Ask for a Job
Many of us in technology are very direct and efficient. We know the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. When we’re learning how to network our way toward a job we may initially think we’re there to “see if the other person knows of any positions.”
The shortest distance between not having a job and getting a job is getting to know people. Not asking about positions.
People love to talk about themselves. It’s their favorite subject. They’ll talk about it all day long. Your job in networking is akin to a research project. You’re learning about that other person. Study them. Learn about them. Listen to them.
When they start talking about work, learn about that company. Learn what they do, how the environment and culture are, learn everything you can. Tell them you’d like to learn more about their company… what’s it like? What type of person works there? What technologies do they use?
Pay
You asked them to lunch or coffee, make sure to pay for it. They’ve already given their time to you, the least you can do is pay for their cup of coffee. Don’t let it be an issue, but wrestle the check from them if possible.
Offer Something
The more you focus on networking being all about you, the less successful it will be. Counter to that, if all you do is focus on the other person it won’t be successful either. There is a balance here and it’s one that a person in transition has to approach carefully.
Make sure that when you’re listening to this other person, you’re trying to think of things that will help them. You want to figure out if there are people that they can meet that will help them in some way. Offer up ways that you can help that person and they’ll be more likely to help you.
Who Do You Know?
The most important question to ask while networking is “who to you know?” You’re looking for people who know people at your target companies in your target region. You’re looking for people who have careers like yours.
I know how it is to have to admit that business in technology is about “who you know”, not “what you know”. The sooner you admit it, the better.
Make Sure They Know You’re Looking
If you walk away from a networking meeting and the other person doesn’t know that you’re looking for your next great challenge in a job, you’ve done it wrong. If the other person walks away from the meeting feeling like you just put your entire job search in their hands and emotionally “dumped” on them, you’ve done it wrong.
The subject of what you’re doing these days will come up. Let it come up. Be honest. Let the other person know that you’re interested in moving on, or that you left your last position and that you’re looking. If they hear of anything let you know. It’s that simple and comfortable.
Be Positive
Who wants to eat lunch or have coffee with someone who’s negative? Smile a lot and have fun!
Get Cards
VistaPrint.com has business cards for free – you only pay for shipping. Get them. Make sure your desired position is on the card just under your name.
Don’t put your resume on your card – all you need is Name, Title (position), Phone Number, Email, Web Address or LinkedIn profile, Twitter handle, and possibly City and State.
Don’t print these out on your printer either. I’ve made this mistake. No one wants a “furry-edged” business card – you can spot these a mile away. Only do this when your cards don’t arrive in the mail and you absolutely have to have them.
Follow Up
Send an email saying “Thanks” and do whatever you’ve promised to do.
Most of all – have a goodtime. Networking is fun!
To work on your networking skills one-on-one sign up for our services. Good luck!
