A large majority of new roles come not from recruiters, not from online applications, but from candidates' networks.Our contacts sometimes help us get through difficult situations or lead us to new opportunities.
To the uninitiated, networking may seem little more than having a lunch date with friends and mentioning the notion that you'd be interested in a new job. However, there is more to it than that. Networking is a finely tuned process. When networking, here are A's to remember:
1. Ask for a reference, not a job.
As a general rule, avoid asking for favors for other people at all costs. It puts your contacts in an awkward spot and it makes you look like you're trying to take advantage of someone. Whether you're doing catch-up drinks or grabbing lunch to reconnect your main goal is to get an ally, not a tally of job listings. Adding another helping hand to your search is your aim. So don't ask your college buddy if he knows of any jobs for people like you. If you act like a walking resume, they are less likely to give you a call.
2. Avoid Asking "Who else do you know?"
This sounds like a no-brainer, but I've heard horror stories of people sitting down to coffee with someone for the first time, only to have that person essentially ask for bigger and better contacts point blank!
If you've just started a professional relationship with someone, you should never broach the topic of whom he or she knows or his or her ability to connect you. It's awkward - and transparent.
3. Always Follow-up
Never network and do nothing about it afterwards. If you're doing it properly, you'll need a database approach to your networking activities - your network will grow and, therefore, needs planning. Needless to say, this planning shouldn't be overt - you will simply be adding structure behind the scenes.
