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I’ve not been posting in awhile because I’ve been swamped with work leading up to Christmas, and I had to take a break for awhile - even my other blogs have been suffering. I’ve been busy taking photographs of day trips into the city, but I just wanted to post some thoughts that had been bothering me.
Is networking with other people really hard or are people just saying that for the heck of it?
I’m past term one at school, and of course we’re not in undergraduate school anymore. Everyone here has a mindset of getting a job or getting a better job. So why can’t some folks shake off the idea that you do meet people in the workplace and that it’s just not that hard?
Anyway, I’m not that great in networking, but I’m not adverse to it. But maybe what I think about might help some of you who think it’s all about ‘fitting in’ and practicing your lines.
It’s not about you
Firstly, networking isn’t just about you. It’s about other people, too. People talk because it fills a need. Look at it as charity - you’re giving someone an opportunity to have a conversation. You just happen to be there, and you’re there to offer an ear. In return for that, people might start relationships with you. Some may not. But it’s not a guarantee. It never is. Don’t sweat it. Just go with the flow. It’s not like you’re being selfish or anything.
Make use of the opportunities
“Get out and meet people” means going on Meetup.com and looking to see what’s happening locally around you. Or getting on LinkedIn and finding someone local who has similar interests. Find something in common. It’s just easier to get in touch with someone that way. And don’t just single out the ones you want for a job, or a mentor, or job advice. Do it for your hobbies too. Or your community. Make it a habit. No, make it a lifestyle. It’s one of those things you don’t have to finish overnight. You can start something, wait awhile, start something else… and see what happens along the way. But you need to step a little further out of your comfort zone.
Sometimes, the best thing to do is nothing
Ok, so you’ve poked all of your facebook contacts, posted New Year greetings on their Walls, commented half a dozen questions on LinkedIn, volunteered for a project on an online community. Why is everyone still so quiet?
Sometimes, people take time to read their emails. They go for vacations. They might not be in the mood for facebook. Whatever the reason, it’s not your fault. Unless you’ve turned yourself into a psychotic stalker, you haven’t done anything wrong. Just relax and get on with your life. Maybe there’s a movie you’ve always wanted to watch, or you could catch up on that novel that’s been sitting there for months.
You’ll start to notice things come back round. It might not take off right away, but folks will remember you. Then the cycle starts again.
Ok, but what I really want is a [insert need here]
You want a job. You want more sales leads. Or a girlfriend. Whatever.
The best thing to do at this point is not to think too much. Keep your options open, and vary your methods a little. Instead of posting on Facebook all the time, try a different bunch of social circles. I’ve found really great ones I’ve build networks on in the user experience field from Meetup.com, even from blogs or google groups. I’ve found photography groups I might plugged into in the future. Some people post out shouts on magazines or newspapers - you could try looking into the dailies for a change. One of the jobs I’m really thankful for was found on gumtree, an online trading post like craigslist - and the people I work with are really fantastic. You’ll never know what you’ll find.
But I’ve heard stories about…
It’s true. You do get oddballs out there. There’s some advice out there about how to keep your distance. That’s especially true if you’re in a vulnerable position. Sometimes, doing it with a friend helps. Or meeting in a very public place. Keeping tabs of what personal information you give out is important too. Learn more about privacy settings on Facebook and LinkedIn. Keep personal information to friends and family only. Email is fine - you can always treat malicious emails as spam. But networking’s not worth avoiding altogether for the chance of meeting a goof. Most people don’t end up that way, anyway.
So, what are you waiting for?
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Most people have a limited number of contacts because most of us can only manage a few good contacts. I have a small but high quality network that helps me keep my thinking fresh with new ideas and comments on my "great" ideas.
I've been working on a project-by-project basis since 2004 and really need more customers. That's part of networking, but a different segment with different skills. When you work across the internet from a small town, as I do, it's almost impossible to develop a high quality network for locating work.
Networking is hard when you start to look at it as a chore or job. When you turn networking into socializing it becomes easier. Talk to people because you want to, be more open to new experiences and stay in contact through emails and calls.
In this social media age it is much easier to stay in contact with people who are like minded.
Networking is so vital these days. The biggest challenge is to think outside of the box . Also look into community service organizations as a way to meet people. My advice is to take your time and remember quality over quanitity
For those of us who are Asperger's, and anyone who has trouble reading people, comprehending unwritten social laws and hate socializing for the sake of socializing, networking is the equivalent of being the subject of extraordinary rendition, followed by enhanced interrogation.
"Networking"
"Contacts"
It sounds impersonal. It seems impersonal. When you call it these things in your head, it feels impersonal. That's why it's hard.
Wow, I wasn't expecting so many insightful comments. I actually wrote this post because I noticed some of my classmates were interested about getting to know folks from the industry a bit more, most probably with the hopes of getting a job after graduating and the like. But networking has many faces and I think it really comes down to relationships. I've always imagined it to be a natural, on-going, creative process.
"I've always imagined it to be a natural, on-going, creative process."
I think it depends on who you are. One of my former bosses makes it look that way, but it has never felt that way to me. And he puts a lot of time and work into it. It's ongoing, but not effortless.
Professional Networking actually has a lot of unwritten rules to follow. Your professional network is like a plant, it needs constant care. You have good points in your post. Some other things to think about are:
- Prepare an "Elevator Speech". This is something you tell someone when they ask you what you do. Prepare a statement explaining your position and try to have a little tid bit on how you can help that person, if applicable.
- keep up with your contacts - don't use and lose them.
- Under your "Opportunity" section - When you are talking to someone, always look for opportunities to introduce your new contact to an old contact, and hope they return the favor. Using linkedIn is great, but general rule is to not accept invites from people you don't know.
- Lastly - Face to face is the best way to nurture your network. Make it to professional group meetings and watch it grow.
Matt
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