Most
people know that networking is the key to job search success. But most
people also hate doing it. Here are some of the common complaints and
suggestions for overcoming them:
1.
“I feel as though I’m bothering people.”
Most people are quite
sympathetic to anyone looking for work, because they are so grateful
that it’s not them! Therefore, they are usually willing to help.
However, they are also likely to be busy, with limited time for
conversation.
Solution:Keep emails, voice messages, and conversations
short and simple. State who you are, how you got the person’s name, and
how they can help. Don’t make time-consuming requests. In most
situations, asking for a 10-minute phone call is reasonable, but asking
to have lunch is not.
2.“I
don’t know what to say.”
Job seekers are often
uncomfortable discussing why they left their job, embarrassed to be
looking for work, and uncertain about how to ask for help. Since they
are seldom in this situation, they don’t have a standard way of
discussing it.
Solution:You need a script for networking. You don’t
have to recite rehearsed lines word for word, but you do need a plan.
If you wing it, you may not make a good impression, so develop a
paragraph or two that says who you are and what you want. You will need
a separate script for emails, voice messages, and introductory
conversations.
For example:
“My name is Mary Smith. Bob Johnson suggested that I get in touch with
you, because I was recently laid off from my accounting position at XYZ
Corporation. Bob thought you might be able to suggest some other people
for me to contact. If we could schedule a five-minute phone call, I
would really appreciate it.”
3.
“I hate talking to strangers.”
Effective networking
means casting your net as widely as possible, so there’s no way to avoid
stranger contacts. The whole point is to use “people you know” to get
to “people you don’t know” so that you eventually start getting job
leads.
Solution:First, network with friends, relatives, and
neighbors. This will serve as a good “warm up” for talking to strangers
and give you a chance to refine your script. When you contact
strangers, always use the name of the person who referred you to them.
A personal connection will make them more responsive.
When meeting
strangers at a social event or professional gathering, start the
conversation by asking appropriate questions. (“How do you know the
bride?”, “What company are you with?”, “Why did you decide to attend
this workshop?”) Then gradually work into a discussion of your job
search.
4.“Most people don’t have any job leads, so it’s a waste of
time.”
Novice networkers assume
that they are trying to contact people who might hire them. If that
were the goal, your networking list would be quite short. Although job
leads are the eventual objective, they are not the immediate goal.
Solution:The purpose of a networking contact is to get
more networking contacts. If the person has a job lead, then that’s a
bonus. Through networking, you are trying to build a list of people who
might alert you to future openings. You want them to accept a copy of
your resume and give you permission to email them every month or so.
That way, you can touch base regularly, but without taking much of their
time.
5.
“It’s tough to keep track of everyone that I’ve talked
to.”
If you plunge in without
a plan, you will quickly find that you can’t recall whether you have
already talked with John Jones or Brenda Brown. And if you have, making
another introductory phone call would seem really stupid.
Solution:From day one, you need to keep a networking
database. Using a table or spreadsheet, list each networking contact,
their email address and phone number, the dates you contacted them, and
the result of each contact. Keep this information up-to-date.
6.
“I hate saying the same thing over and over again.”
It’s only the same to
you. Each conversation is new to the person you are speaking with. So
you want to be sure that you don’t start sounding mechanical.
Solution:Even if you have said the same thing 100 times,
you need to sound fresh. Don’t repeat your “script” word for word.
Keep your comments conversational.
7.
“It’s hard to sound upbeat when I’m totally depressed.”
Any job search is a
frustrating experience. You have no idea how long it will last, and
until it ends, you are constantly getting rejected. Not exactly a
prescription for happiness! But if you sound unhappy, no one will want
to hire you.
Solution:Before making networking contacts, you must be
in a positive frame of mind. Do whatever will be a “mood lifter” for
you – take a walk, play upbeat music, call an encouraging friend, or
whatever works. To keep energy in your telephone voice, try standing up
or smiling while you talk. When talking face-to-face, smile, be
friendly, and show an interest in the other person. On truly down days,
do something other than networking. For more suggestions, see
Fighting the Job Search Blues.
Will your
resume make an interviewer want to meet you? Or will it land in the
“do not call” pile?
If you send us your
resume and cover letter, we’ll assign them an A, B, C, or D, based
on “interviewer appeal”. Then we’ll give you the criteria we used
to assign the grade, so that you can make improvements.
To get your free
grade, just email us your resume and/or cover letter.
