Most people start out networking by sending their resume to friends and colleagues along with a note saying, “Let me know if you run across anything”. The message is clear: “I want you to help me find a job.”
This approach doesn’t give you the control you need nor does it encourage your friends to really want to help. Everyone has opinions and they love to have an opportunity to share those opinions and they respond much better when you ask them for their advice rather than “Do you know of any jobs or openings”?
The main key to networking is building meaning relationships. The best way is to start by asking the right questions. The right questions will quickly gather the information you are seeking and will help to put the other person at ease. You want to prompt them to think of other contacts and opportunities for your search. Then, you can better target your efforts toward identifying the information that will lead you to the next person or persons who will make the decisions that could create an opportunity for you.
The first thing you ask is what I refer to as the Intriguing Question:
“What would you do if you were me”? Or preface it with something like, “Given what you know about me, my background, skills, personality, etc., if you were looking for employment opportunities, what would you do if you were me?”
This question engages the other person in mentally joining you. The other person may just get involved in dreaming with you – in creating ideas and new work opportunities. They may see you in a different light than you see yourself and may be able to help you identify strengths that you are not be aware of. You will begin to hear comments like, “Well, you are good at meeting people and I can see you as a terrific salesperson”. or “Have you thought about using your excellent technical skills in another industry”?
This question will naturally generate information in 5 areas:
- Names of industries,
- Names of companies and organizations,
- Names of people,
- Job opportunities,
- Information about you.
Now, you have started building a data base of real information that comes from real people who are in the job market.
To whom do you ask this question . . . . . . .? Anyone: Not only friends but neighbors, relatives, former classmates, other job seekers, former coworkers, members of sports teams, parents connected with teams you kids are on, church members, community associations, bankers, and the list goes on. I once had a client who described himself as a lowly accountant but he was on a first name basis with the CEO of his company because they both had kids on the same Little League ball team.
So, start with the people who are in your comfort zone. Those people you know and are comfortable with are the ones who really want to help you the most.
Practice sharing your experiences, skills and strengths with them. Ask them for feedback on your Resume. Brainstorm with them for new and creative ideas that will keep your search growing.
And this is most important, it is better to speak to the person by phone or better face-to-face over coffee. An email does not create an environment for a conversation.
You see, you never know who knows whom.