Networking Operator Error
By Kevin Donlin | July 3rd, 2008
I had to reply to this comment on an article I wrote for the Star Tribune on networking.
The comment was this:
Networking — Have tried it for 40 years and in that time only one success. Sounds great…works poorly
My reply (elongated here):
You say you’ve tried networking for 40 years and it works poorly. Question: If you brushed your teeth for 40 years and still got cavities, would you say tooth brushing worked poorly, or might there be a chance you were doing it wrong?
If you shifted your car into “P” on the highway, thinking it was Passing Gear, and the bottom dropped out of your transmission, would you say the car worked poorly, or could it be a case of operator error?
Most people love to blame outside events and circumstances for their setbacks. Childish people, that is.
Because saying that a proven idea like networking (or dental hygiene, or safe driving) doesn’t work, simply because it didn’t work for YOU, dooms you to a state of arrested development, where you will repeat your mistakes over and over.
What do you think? Am I right? Wrong?
Before you answer, below are some mini case studies of success. Which of these networking ideas could you use?
“A supervisor from a prior position heard through the grapevine I was looking and gave me me a call to discuss his opening. I initially turned him down, but he referred me to multiple opportunities at his clients - really great guy! When these referrals didn’t work out, we talked again about his opening and it was a fit for both of us.” — Jeni Dakin
“I was at an IT party when a friend of mine introduced me to a friend of his. His friend submitted my resume to the hiring manager, who I had indirectly worked with before. I did not even interview - the hiring manager is friends with a few managers I worked for previously. The hiring manager just said, ‘Do you want the job?’” — Rachel Bicknell
“I was attending a College club (Object Oriented Programming) and met my future boss there. He was giving a presentation, we talked after it, and he asked if I want to work with him. I wanted.” — Roland Hesz
“A co-worker with whom I’d stayed in close contact when she left our company called me to say there was an opening in her new company. She introduced me to the hiring manager.” — Tina McMechen
Do you have a networking success story to share?
Please add yours as a comment below. With your permission, I’ll interview you for my job-search column in the Minneapolis Star Tribune!
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September 22nd, 2008 at 7:56 am
I was employeed and looking for other job possiblities. I made a cold call to a perspective employer and introduced myself. He didn’t really take to my call, but I still did what any job seeker would do- sell myself! He told me nothing was available, but referred me to other managers. Within three weeks he called me, things had changed and I was recommended by one his employees. Interviewd on Tuesaday and had the job on Wednesday!