Why Free Networking is Actually Relationship Building
By energy_linguist, June 7, 2010, Job Hunting
Note: While the concepts below aren’t explicitly linked to our message and goal of helping you save money, the idea that you can be more efficient and effective at building relationships for employment opportunities without spending a dime means less time (and money) wasted on firing out paper resumes, gas money for endless recruiting fairs and meetings with headhunters. So saving money while finding a new job is nothing to shake a stick at.
Nostradamus need not apply.
If we were to take a poll on the challenges represented in the job market, the top consensus would likely fall somewhere between “OMG this sucks” to “What am I supposed to do?” Nothing shocking here folks, so please feel free to move and keep reading.
Trying times is the perfect time for building relationships, not resume blasting. Obviously LinkedIn would be my first and foremost recommendation for jumping right in with gloves off and interacting with like-minded professionals, entrepreneurs, recruiters and companies at large. Keep in mind that there are multiple social communities and avenues to build relationships with people who are likely searching for the same answers and opportunities you are. Just because it isn’t a site built for industry networking (ugh that word), doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have high value for helping you build relationships (see Twitter).
So rather than referring to this exercise and experience as networking, focus on the relationship aspect and the “what am I going to get in return” second.
Here are some essential tips for making the most out of your online “relationship building” experience:
- Find out where your industry hangs out at. Do not introduce yourself into the community by asking for favors immediately (more on favors in just a bit).
- Listen and measure the conversation. Find out what other people and job seekers in your immediate industry, as well as companies that you are interested in working for, are talking about. Observe their interactions and then …
- Commit to furthering the conversation. Add your expertise, comment on relevant blogs and add value without asking for recognition or self promoting.
- Be consistent.
- Do continue to network directly with companies offering positions in your field of interest while also building trust and high-value relationships across your communities. Don’t cutoff potential opportunities: Multitask by pursuing direct employment opportunities at the same time you are following and contributing to conversations.
- Offer free advice to other people in your community in exchange for nothing. Trust me, the more you offer advice or help someone connect, the more positive feedback and momentum you will build toward tipping the seesaw in your direction. Give and ask for nothing in return and you will be rewarded.
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