CH 02. Systematic Job-Search Networking

In highly effective networking, one of the most important things is to make everyone you talk to comfortable. Being on the receiving end of a networking call can make people uncomfortable for many reasons. If no one is comfortable or they are awkward they just want to end the conversation quickly as possible. Nothing gets accomplished. Making people comfortable when calling on them as well as your entire networking effort is under your control. When people are comfortable collecting information, insider tips, getting your name in front of decision makers in the right way with integrity consistent, you will land a good new job.

The system is not about applying to openings. It is a proactive approach about getting your name in front of the decision makers before the job opens.

The four goals of networking are:

1. Get the word out: Let people know you are looking.
2. Gather information: Collect information about companies, career positions, salaries, etc…
3. Meet insiders at targeted organizations: Build relationships with people employed at places you want to work.
4. Get in touch with decision makers: This is an informal meeting long before opportunities present them self.

The systematic approach in your job search centers on the following principles:

1. Decide: Define and decide to network.
2. Prepare: Map your networks, plan the search. Prepare a marketing document. Develop core messages, make target lists.
3. Talk: Express to everyone your job search, keep them informed, collect referrals, followup…
4. Land: get the job

Understanding the system and getting organized is most of the battle. Once this is complete it is a matter of rhythm.

I will explore in the next several blogs Highly Effective Networking: Meet the Right People and Get a Great Job. Should you have any comments or questions please feel free to email me at james.bogden@gmail.com.

References:

Pierson, O. (2009) Highly effective networking: meet the right people and get a great job. Career Press. NJ.

CH 01. Everybody Knows You Need to Network!

Over the next several weeks we are going to explore Orville Pierson's method of Highly Effective Networking. The goal of this dialogue is to dispell the myths about networking and steer you in the direction of a highly effective network. Please follow along. I encourage posts.

So you are out of work. Now what? Nearly every expert agrees that you need to network. Networking can help you conduct a better job search and find a better job. However, there is little agreement on the most effective methods and everyone needs to find their comfort zone. Orville Pierson is a professional career counselor who helps people find work. Pierson has worked specifically with people in ‘career transition’ which is also known as outplacement. His job has been to develop, design, and implement methods and techniques for making the transitions. Over the next several weeks I’ll detail his method found in his book “Highly Effective Networking: Meet the Right People and Get a Great Job.” Pierson has consolidated his body of knowledge into this book.

The advantages of networking are numerous. Studies indicate that people who find work through networking are more likely to enjoy the work and stay in the jobs longer. Networkers are able to gather salient information about themselves, companies, and careers. They also tend to have more choices, along with the better information, and make stronger decisions. All this was true for Pierson in 1977 as it is today over 30 years later. Today the internet makes networking significantly easier than in the past. Additionally, when the economy is good networking is important. When the economy is bad networking is absolutely essential!

Teaching networking is not easy. People pickup on many other things but networking has three innate reasons people are skeptical. First, people do not believe in networking or in its merits in many cases. Second, there are misconceptions about networking that are rarely addressed. And lastly, they were not comfortable doing the things required of them while networking. However, as networking becomes better known through services like LinkedIn people gain more confidence in the process. Nonetheless, misconceptions have increased and misguided advice on networking is available. Unfortunately, more and more people are networking poorly or incorrectly.

Is networking for a job the same as networking in sales? In short, NO. Much of the activity in sales is not networking at all. Networking for a job is a systematic method using much of the network you already have in place. In the next several postings I will be outlining the system for you.

I will explore in the next several blogs Highly Effective Networking: Meet the Right People and Get a Great Job. Should you have any comments or questions please feel free to email me at james.bogden@gmail.com.

References:

Pierson, O. (2009). Highly effective networking: meet the right people and get a great job. Career Press. NJ.