Executive Job Seekers: Is Your Networking Not Working?
Bernard Pearce
THE EXECUTIVE CAREER TRANSITION SPECIALIST ► Your essential bridge to realising your true value; the vital missing link in your search to secure the right job.
If you’re not networking correctly, it’s not surprising your networking’s not working!
We’ve all been there, haven’t we? Those ‘networking’ functions when you’ve been ‘sold to’ by everyone else?
And when you leave with a fist full of other people’s business cards, you realise nobody was remotely interested in you – just in what you might be able to do for them?
If experiences like that colour your views of networking, you can be forgiven for not wanting to be part of it.
When speaking to executive job seekers (before I work with them) about their networking activities they have many negative views:
· “it doesn’t work for me”
· “there’s no point; I don’t know anyone who has a vacancy”
· “I’ve put a message on LinkedIn asking for help”
· “it’s a waste of time”
· “But nothing works!”
If you’re not networking correctly, it’s not surprising your networking’s not working!
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Bernard Pearce is The Executive Career Transition Specialist. He works with executives, like you, to transform your job search success and help you to secure great jobs. He helps to protect or restore your self-esteem and self-confidence. He helps you to become who you are capable of being; and experience pride in winning against competitive odds.
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First Some Clarity on What Networking Isn’t!
· It is NOT asking friends and family for a job.
· It is NOT grovelling for a new job.
· It is NOT ‘selling’ yourself to others you don’t know.
And What Networking Really Is.
It’s where those you know – including friends and family – can help introduce you to those you haven’t met yet, who will:
· help you gather information, advice and guidance.
· help you with introductions to others who can help you.
· help you forge relationships that might result in a job offer.
BUT DON’T FORGET …
If you ask someone for something they can’t give you, you will hurt them! So, don’t ask them for a job, nor expect them to give you one!
The more genuinely interested you are in others, the more genuinely interested they will be in you! So, networking is an exploratory process not an opportunity to ‘sell you’!
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Treat it as a business meeting. So, don’t abuse their time nor waste it by being unprepared or by asking for information a simple Google search could have told you.
If you’ve asked for a meeting – you must own it. So be clear on why you want it, what you want to cover in it, and what your desired outcome would be. Create and share your Agenda.
Humans are experts at sensing ulterior motives. So, don’t go in with a ‘hidden agenda’ – it will leak out and create mistrust – you can’t stop it.
Networking is the most effective and productive route to your next job. Over 65% of new jobs are secured that way, so you need to be doing it – and doing it well.
Job searching can be a cold, lonely and isolating process.
The longer your search drags on, the colder, lonelier and more isolated you feel – and the lower your self-esteem, self-confidence and self-motivation suffer.
If it all feels too difficult, we ought to speak soon.
Is it time to turn things in your favour?
Are you really where you want to be?
Are you convinced you’re doing everything right?
Or are you still hiding behind ‘it doesn’t work’?
I’m here when needed - we ought to speak soon.
Contact me now.
Let’s start with a unique insight into how you’re positioned and how the job search world is judging you (there's no charge to you)
Bernard Pearce – The Executive Career Transition Specialist