By Jeff Altman, Big Game Hunter
People do stupid things. They spend a lot of time interacting with people but not a lot of time cultivating those relationships. If that’s you, this is your real network.
The “I’m interested” button on LinkedIn
First of all, I want to say that I am an early member of LinkedIn – member 7653. That’s how early I joined. In the beginning, there wasn’t much out there, but I started learning how to network the “LinkedIn way.” A few years later, while I had very few contacts from recruiters or people overseas, I had over 23,000 first-level contacts, most of whom (almost all of them) contacted me.
When I see people connecting on LinkedIn, they think it’s about sending a connection request, connecting with someone, and that’s it. That’s not the Internet. This is useless because you have no relationship with these people when you need them. There is no contact period and no one is willing to help you based on that.
The reality is your network, unless you’re cultivated on LinkedIn, they are the people outside the platform, they are your friends, your relatives, the parents of your kids’ friends, the parents and relatives of your friends, they can be people from industry associations, neighbors, relatives of some sort, current and former colleagues and managers, executive recruiters, vendors, suppliers, people in your industry association, your community contacts, your clergy, your doctors, your lawyers or accountants. These are the people in your network. It requires that you spend time cultivating them throughout your life.
When you’re 22, you don’t think that way. But what I see time and time again with the senior people I coach is that they have access to people who have worked with them and are very willing to help them. You, on the other hand, do nothing to maintain the relationship.
What veterans know best is that your network is literally your net worth because they will be there for you when you need them. why is that? The first is that they build credibility through collaboration. The second is that they help each other and are willing to help each other. Once you reach a certain level, there’s an implicit agreement to help when needed. It’s like putting a chip on the table. People help each other at the top.
Funny thing is, they are kinder to recruiters, but they teach junior people to be rude.
Layoff Posts: Your Secret Weapon on LinkedIn
“Don’t talk to the recruiters. These people are useless!” Apparently that’s true of a lot of them. There are good ones, but you don’t know how to identify the good ones from the not-so-good ones. I’m telling you, folks, be kind to all of them, even the ones you ostracize because of xenophobia because they’re foreign-born. I’m going to tell you straight up, you don’t know how to recognize a good recruiter.
Recruiters work for their clients, so they need to funnel talent to their clients and then get paid for them. Be kind to everyone you come in contact with and simply say, “Hey, listen, this is not a meaningful role for me. I appreciate you reaching out. Have a great day!” Do it in a good way. You don’t hang up the phone and say, “Have a nice day.” Click.
“Thank you for contacting me. This is not the place for me. Thank you for calling and I hope you have a nice day. Okay?” Then, approach the conversation in a polite manner.
Everyone you come into contact with is a potential network individual. One of my first coaching clients was referred to me by someone who saw something I wrote and referred them to me because they thought I could help. You don’t know where your network is coming from. It can come from your writing, podcast interviews you do, from relationships you have with friends or family, and I know, for many of you, this is something that makes you uncomfortable (two people asking your mom or dad if they know anyone they can introduce you to…like they won’t try to help you).
just do it. Seriously. Just do it, because it can be the difference between a great opportunity and an average opportunity, a mediocre opportunity, or long-term unemployment. Use your network wisely.
For those of you who are veterans, I know you know all this stuff, but I want to remind you that sometimes, in the busyness, you can forget to really take care of each of your relationships.
What companies consider when selecting board members
About Big Game Hunter Jeff Altman
People hire “Big Game Hunter” Jeff Altman to provide no-nonsense job coaching and career advice around the world because he excels at job hunting And get ahead in your career more easily.
38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid
You’ll find a wealth of information and job search guidance to help you find a job at JobSearch.Community
Connected LinkedIn:
Schedule a discovery call to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me during your job search: www.TheBigGameHunter.us.
Common interview mistakes many executives make (and how to fix them)
He is the host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 job search podcast on iTunes with over 3,000 episodes over 13 years.
We allow this and other articles to be used on your site as long as they include a backlink www.TheBigGameHunter.us and states that it is provided by Jeff Altman of The Big Game Hunter as the author or creator. Does not acknowledge his work or provide backlinks www.TheBigGameHunter.us Subjects you to a $1,000 fine, which you voluntarily agree to pay. Please contact us to discuss using our content as training data.
