October 20, 2015

NETWORKING? How? Why?

If you were to ask most executives and sales’ superstars how they advanced their professional careers you would find that virtually none had ever applied for a posted position! You may ask “how is that possible?”
 
NETWORKING on a rather constant basis. “I don’t understand.”

​Throughout the course of most any day you meet people; some that you know and some that you do not. They may be employed and they may not. The greatest, immediate source of network “contacts” are those that (A) were your bosses, or above, (B) were your employees, (C) were your peers, or co-workers, (D) former customers/clients, and (E) a host of other professionals that you know because you were/are classmates, neighbors, old friends, friends of friends, your kids play together, et al.
 
In my article of May 4th, 2015 (worth reading if you are this far) I addressed this subject from a bit of a different angle. Worth repeating, though, is “The Six Degrees of Separation!” Wikipedia defines it as “Six degrees of separation is the theory that everyone and everything is six or fewer steps away, by way of introduction, from any other person in the world, so that a chain of "a friend of a friend" statements can be made to connect any two people in a maximum of six steps.” Scientifically proven, by the way!
 
When LinkedIn used to provide these statistics, here are MY last ones: Connections (1st Degree – People that I know would help me if asked and vice versa – only 84); 2nd Degree (People that 1st Degree “know,” but how well? – 3,400+); 3rd Degree (People that 2nd Degree “know,” but how well? – 2.3 million+) AND THAT’S ONLY ON LINKEDIN and only to the 3rd Degree – exponentially, what would the 6th Degree look like?! How many others could you add to 1st Degree (thus building 2nd through 6th Degrees) that ARE NOT on LinkedIn?!
 
This a rather easy way to initiate a network, but let’s continue. 
 
Although the people that know me well would probably say that I am an A-type, extroverted person - Untrue. I would much rather spend my time with my family, or my work. "Always?" Well, sometimes I have to suck it up and attend a local conference for people in my profession, or with groups and organizations with whom I am a member, or socialize (yuk). "Wouldn’t you rather be at home, you introvert?" Yep! But I go to these to shake hands, renew friendships, and meet new people. Would I carry my resume with me if I were open to a new career? NO! What is the first thing that most people do with 1-3 pages of 8.5 X 11” pieces of paper? Find the first trash can! What do people do with a “business card?” They generally put it in their pocket! So-o, if you are open to a new opportunity, have a card prepared with your name, market brand, mobile phone number, email address (no home address since you don’t want strangers driving by your house at midnight).  For instance:
 
                                                                John J. Jones
                         Creative, Results-Oriented International Power Executive
 
                                              Mobile Telephone:  412.200.0001
                                                 Email:  John.Jones@xxxx.com  

  
Now, when you meet someone, known, or unknown, give them your business card, NOT a resume! Always have them with you – you never know. Online companies can provide 500 cards for about $10! Nothing fancy.

Remember, everyone that you meet is a potential, future employer, or knows one! The majority of new positions are found this way, so stop constantly clicking “Apply” and be proactive, even though you would rather be at home. Then, nurture this network – you may need them again and them, you! Your thoughts?

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