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1.: John Hadley - Career Tips: About Networking From: Robert Hopson

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1.: John Hadley - Career Tips: About Networking

Posted by: "Robert Hopson" bobhopson@ymail.com robert_hopson

Sat Mar 31, 2012 8:10 pm (PDT)

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: John Hadley <john@jhacareers.com>
To: robert_hopson@yahoo.com
Sent: Saturday, March 31, 2012 4:01 PM
Subject: Career Tips: About Networking

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Career TipsMarch 2012 - Volume 2012/3
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In this issue:
About Networking
Upcoming Events in NJ
Dear Career Tips (Pursuing Multiple Jobs at Same Company)
Dear Robert,
Last month I wrote about a dialog I had with someone very skeptical about networking, who felt that job seekers and coaches were drinking the Kool-Aid rather than looking at it objectively. I invited readers to provide their thoughts, and was pleased with the insightful comments I received. These form my lead article below.

I have a number of in person events coming up in NJ in the next month, described below. If you're in the area, I hope to see you at one or more.

As always, write to me for advice on your biggest frustrations with your Career Search, or the greatest roadblocks to your Career Growth, at Advice@JHACareers.com. ~~~~~~~~~~
About Networking
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At a workshop I gave on common traps that trip up job seekers, I included a couple of points about networking. One person raised his hand and questioned the value of networking, and got verbally lynched by the group.
Afterwards, I wrote to him, which led to the interesting dialog that I included in the last issue of Career Tips. (If you missed that dialog, you can catch up here:
www.JHACareers.com/AboutNetworking.htm.)

It was clear that this person had already made up his mind about networking, and I invited readers to provide their own thoughts. Here are some insightful comments I received (edited for clarity and space). My thanks to all who responded, andfeel free to send me your own 2 cents to add to the discussion at Advice@JHACareers.com.

"If your un-bruised skeptic would put half as much effort into truly networking as he seems to be putting in his search for metrics to prove whether or not it works, he may have better luck.

When I read his response, it seemed to have a negative, skeptical, 'I know better than you', tone. That makes me wonder how off-putting he may inadvertently be in interviews and networking events."
Charlie

"He completely misses the point about networking. It is a method for creating, building, and maintaining relationships, and discovery of potential job opportunities is but one of many benefits derived from a vibrant network. Networking should not begin with the start of a job search, nor should it end with the discovery of a new position.

If he wants data, he simply needs to ask those who have recently landed what role networking played. A cursory review of the last 100 landings from one networking group that I am associated with showed that almost 50% explicitly mentioned networking as a method that helped them obtain the position. I suspect, however, that this particular individual is so far in denial that even these data and their own personal observations will not convince them."
John

"This is a classic example of someone who really doesn't understand the networking process. As I read the remarks from the job-seeker, the major thought that came to my mind is 'Where's my instant gratification?' 'Where's the job lead I need?'

I've been involved in both job club networking groups and business networking groups. They both have the same purpose: to meet others who can help us advance in our careers. But the major differences I have observed in my experiences come down to one thing.

Attitude.

In a job networking group, a lot of participants like to tell their sad tales of woe, and some have a forever pessimistic viewpoint. They come hoping to walk away with a couple of solid job leads, and when they don't, all you hear is "This networking thing doesn't work."

In a business networking group, everyone is upbeat. You never hear someone tell you their business is going down the drain, even if it is. I hear people proudly talk about their business, and intently listen to others talk about theirs. They ask questions so they have a better understanding of how they can help. They understand that they have to meet the same people over and over and over again to build a relationship before someone will send over their best customer. And they understand that not everyone knows someone who might need your service. But when they do, you will be the first one they call.

I understand that networking is a hard concept for people to grasp and even harder to get good at. It takes time and effort. I would offer this suggestion as an alternative to those who are adverse to networking. Volunteer at community service groups, organizations, churches, hospitals, etc. Even better, volunteer at an industry association, or anywhere you get to know people and they get to know you."
Tom

"I know a lot of people that turn their nose down to networking. They think it is only for outgoing, brown-nosing people - and ultimately a waste of their time. Unfortunately, these people overlook a significant principle: The ability to work with and through others is what separates the most successful people from everyone else.
I believe that folks in the more technical professions (actuaries, accountants, doctors, etc.) are probably more susceptible to overlooking it. Why? Because they think their knowledge and expertise will carry them. And for many, it will carry them a long way. But, what are they leaving on the table? In my opinion, a lot.

To me, the best networking is not about yourself. It is not about getting what you want. It is about genuinely caring about and connecting with people. Generic thank you notes, cookie-cutter emails, and similar impersonal interactions are a turn-off to me. That's when 'networking' can be to one's disadvantage. But, if you change your attitude to 'I want to get to know and learn about this person,' then you transform the network experience. As Zig Ziglar wisely said, 'if you help enough people get what they want, they will help you get what you want.' To me, that is the power of true networking."
Brian

And here are a few other thoughts on networking that I received in response to the prior issue on "The Psychology of Networking":

"The Wall Street Journal ran a story several months ago supporting that person to person, face-to-face networking is the most effective way to find a job. This article was appealing because the main character was a woman looking for work during the Depression. She went into an office building and, starting at the top floor, went door to door until she found an accounting firm that had just fired their secretary."
Marvin

"You are so right and I have finally figured it out. I have been unemployed for a year now and for 20+ years never looked for a job. During my year I have had about 3 face to face interviews, tirelessly sent out my resume morning, noon and night, and then decided it would be best if I sent my resume to the actual company sites. As I read your article I realized I haven't networked in a year. Guess I thought that job was going to find me!! News Flash!! It ain't happening!! They forget us, and quite frankly, we forget them too!

My point is that I joined a lunch group, and I get out at least once a week. I see there is something to this 'networking' thing. I might even consider speaking to a crowd one day about my own experience. I would bet there are so many others like myself who sat and waited for someone to hire us like 'back in the day'."
M.B.

"Great column and you are 100% on target about networking being all about relationships. Unfortunately, most job seekers do not get this concept, or are unwilling to do what they need to do.

I volunteer twice a month at a local job club. I'm always amazed at the number of new faces I see at each meeting, when in fact I should see twice as many returning faces. They just don't grasp this relationship concept. I attempt to tell them it takes at least three one-on-one meetings to start to forge a strong relationship. Maybe more.

People often ask me why I volunteer. I tell them:
1. To help someone in need of assistance
2: To build relationships for future considerations.

So for four hours of my time a month, I have built some solid relationships with the other volunteers and some of the job-seekers who have taken the time to do so.

As I tell them, there isn't much to do this time of year. So call someone you met and have coffee with them. Then make plans to meet again."
Tom ~~~~~~~~~~
Upcoming Events in NJ
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"Create a Job Search Marketing Plan" (tentative title)
7-9PM, Thursday, April 4, Career Networking Group
Bernards Township Library, Basking Ridge

"What's Blocking Your Search?"
10AM-Noon, Monday, April 9, Maplewood/South Orange Professionals in Transition
Dehart Community Center, 120 Burnett Ave, Maplewood

"What's Blocking Your Search?"
9-10:30AM, Wednesday, April 25, Dover Professional Services Group
DOL Offices, 105 East Blackwell Avenue, Dover

"Convert Speaking Into Business Opportunities"
8-10AM, Friday, April 27, Somerset Hills Business Network
Olde Mill Inn, 225 Route 202 (I-287, Exit 30B), Basking Ridge
Visit this link for details and to register (free for 1st time guests)

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Dear Career Tips (Pursuing Multiple Jobs At Same Company) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I interviewed for a Sr. Engineering Analyst position on Friday. I was checking the job boards today and saw an opening for a Manager of Capital Planning position posted.

Should I apply for this higher level position; probably reporting to the same hiring manager? If I do, will it jeopardize my chances of being considered for the Sr. Engineering Analyst position that I interviewed for; especially if I am not a prime candidate for this higher level position? Do you think that I call the hiring manager and discuss my concern with him?Don't Want To Blow It

Dear Don't Blow It:
If it is in the same area,it would likely raise questions about both positions if you apply for a second position while you are in the running for the first. The best way to deal with it would be with the hiring manager, but I'm not sure there's a good way to finesse it at this point.

There's a risk that as soon as you start asking the hiring manager about the higher level job, you go out of the running for the first position, because the assumption is that you won't be satisfied with the lower level position. If he brings it up in a follow-up interview, you might have a better chance at a natural conversation about it.

Did the interview go well? Is there a strong expectation of a next round interview?

If I recall, this isn't your first application / interview to that organization. What are you doing to get known by key people there, so that you would automatically find out about and be in the running for a position like the Manager of Capital Planning, and not be applying for the lower level position in the first place?
His Response:

I think I have to agree with you. The hiring manager must have known about this opening when we met and he did not suggest that I apply for it. So, I think I should do as you suggested and wait until I find out about the status of my original interview.

Overall, I thought my interview went well, and my impression is that they will probably make their decision without a second interview.

This was a different group than the one I originally applied with. I am under the impression that the different agencies do not talk to one another. But yes, I agree with you that I need to do more to make my self known there so when an opening does come up, they think of me and ask me to apply. Thank you very much.
And as always, feel free to submit your own questions about issues you face in your search or your career, and I'll address them in a future issue (keeping you anonymous, of course, unless you specifically tell me to do otherwise).
~~~~~~~~~~
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