“Network,” they say...“expand it,” “tap into it,” “leverage it,” blah, blah, blah. You’ve repeatedly heard about the necessity of networking, but what often gets glossed over is the difficulty of the process and the medium to long-term nature of the results. Unfortunately, the way that networking is often discussed makes it seem as though it’s a simple, 1-2-3 process and then boom, someone puts you into an interview process and/or offers you a job. The problem with this framing is that it’s misleading and it leaves job seekers feeling frustrated, confused or even inadequate because their networking efforts are seemingly leading nowhere. This upsets me because I don’t want my clients or anyone taking on any more emotional stress than they need to in the already difficult job search process. So, let’s correct the record… networking isn’t instant, but it’s worth it.
For years now, we’ve lived in a world where instant access to human connection is the norm. In a few taps on our smartphones or computers, we can instantly connect to friends and family whether they are down the street or around the world through voice or video. Through Facebook and Instagram, we can peek into our fr-amily’s lives and feel as though we’re instantly (re)connected. Connecting to other professionals via LinkedIn can be as simple as hitting the “Connect” button and having our request accepted moments later. We are being trained to think/feel that connections are instant, so much so that we forget that IRL (In Real Life) relationships take much longer to form. So, when job seekers are out there trying to network their way to a job and they aren’t reaping instant results, it makes them feel that they aren’t making progress and/or that they’re doing something wrong. In many cases, this isn’t true, but it feels that way.
Networking Should be Called Relationship-Building
If we think about IT (Information Technology), networking implies a notion of plug and play. When you plug your ethernet cable into the jack on the wall and then into your computer, you are then instantly connected to an exponentially wide network of machines and humans. Building a true connection to another human is different. It takes at least a few, quality interactions through which trust and rapport can be built. How often could you see yourself recommending someone to your boss/HR department for an interview after just one conversation? My guess is that it would be rare because your reputation is on the line.
‘Networking’ connotes a sense of instantaneousness, while ‘Relationship Building’ inherently conveys a sense of time and effort. As the cliche goes, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” I’d add to that, relationships that land you a new job aren’t either...
For this reason, you should start your networking relationship-building process now. The challenge that many job seekers face is that by the time they realize that they need their network (or a stronger one), it’s a little too late.
Create Your Network Before You Need It
Think of networking relationship-building as a long term investment. If you start depositing the social capital now and nurture it with intentional, periodic interactions, your investment will grow over time. Down the line, whether that’s months or years, you will be able to make several withdrawals from your social capital accounts within your industry (or another) and leverage them to get the support you need for that early tip-off to an unadvertised job, an introduction/meeting, or getting your resume handed directly to a hiring manager. It’s hard to develop the network you need overnight to serve the job search you just started. This is why you should be actively cultivating your network relationships focusing on two key audiences.
Build with People from Your Past + Those Where You Want to Be
Never forget where you came from nor the people who helped you get to where you are today. We are nothing if not a collection of our past experiences and the people who impacted or influenced us to date. It’s important to nurture core professional relationships, ranging from former bosses and colleagues to clients and other industry contacts. Having a solid base of people who know you, your work, and your reputation will be key for any successful job search. These individuals know your brand because of how you helped them in the past and how you continue to support them to this day. They are the ones who can most readily be activated to help you once you launch a job search.
Start reactivating these connections as they can even serve to introduce you to the new people that you need to know to reach your next opportunity.
Thinking ahead, whether you are trying to switch companies, industries or simply advance to a more senior position, it’s important to begin targeting individuals to network build relationships with who already occupy the space(s) you wish to enter. This may understandably sound a little icky to some, but it’s no different than when I was in undergrad and approached/befriended a senior who DJ-ed the campus parties to ask him if he could teach me some of what he knew. My motives then were as pure as yours now, if your intent is to build an authentic relationship and not simply use the person for who they are and what or who they know. This brings me to my final point…
Be Genuine in Your Approach to Relationship-Building - Be Curious
Part of the reason that some professionals resist or even dislike the concept of networking is that it feels very disingenuous and/or transactional to them. Some individuals certainly approach networking this way. But if you feel gross about this approach, then you are part of the vast majority who want networking to be and feel more authentic. This is again why I prefer networking relationship-building, because it’s ultimately about cultivating a genuine connection born from a true place. The best place to build a relationship is from a standpoint of curiosity.
Curiosity is one of the purest things we possess as humans. It’s how we learn about the world as kids and it’s also how we discover direction, passion, and purpose as adults. This also applies to relationships — something about someone sparks interest or curiosity in you, so you approach them to learn more. This is what relationship building is. Who is doing something, somewhere, and/or at a level that you are genuinely curious about? Follow that curiosity and reach out. Genuinely share what sparked for you and you may be pleasantly surprised by how many people might be willing to help fan that spark into a flame.
No, not everyone will respond or even respond right away...but that’s the thing…
Networking Relationship-building isn’t instant, but it’s worth it.
If you would like help crafting your relationship-building strategy, I’d love to support you!
Book Now for a free consultation.
NIIATO@AVENIRCAREERS.COM | CALL/TEXT 917-740-3048