With the many articles on networking, here are some differing opinions on the process and the results.
– I am a firm believer in networking. I was recently telling another woman at an accounting function given by a professional society that I wasn’t happy with my job. She said her company was looking for someone; I applied and got the job.
The position had not been advertised. That was eight years ago, and I’m still there. In that time, my salary went from $28,000 to $51,000 a year, so the change was well worth it.
– The whole process has become phony and superficial. Even the word “networking” has taken on mythical qualities in the last few years. You mentioned that one had to take an active role in making contacts. That makes sense in a world where the employed outnumber the unemployed. I’ve been to enough of these types of clubs to realize the demand easily overwhelms the supply.
Most network meetings are filled with people eager to make that one contact that will change his or her career. If someone knows of an opening at his company, he’s certainly not going to let on about it because the company would be inundated. I’ve had more luck looking in the newspaper. Companies should use want ads more often.
– It took me eight months to find a job. I networked with a new person every week. In the beginning, I felt like it was productive. I was certainly busy meeting a lot of people who referred me to others in my field. They were friendly and informative, and promised to “keep me in mind.” I even got dates from it.
But then my attitude changed. As time went by, I questioned how efficiently I was spending what little time and money I had. The point was to uncover jobs. No one ever called to let me know of a job opening. Information interviews were turning into lessons on humoring people who were just trying to be nice.
Networking has the same level of importance as answering ads from the newspaper and sending resumes cold to companies. Networking is overrated, but I suppose I’d do it again.
– The key to having a valuable network is not necessarily the quantity of the contacts you have, but the quality of the relationships. Networking does not come through casual or extemporaneous contacts. Professional organizations are valuable networking investments, but that’s just the beginning. Volunteer or leadership work for an organization takes time, but opportunities generally are easy to come by.
No one in his or her right mind will recommend someone they know only superficially. If you’ve worked on a project, however, you are more likely to be able to ask for and receive the professional support needed.
– I’ve been employed by the military for 15 years as a propulsion engineer, but I have no degree. I am now awaiting a medical (nondebilitating) discharge and have been networking, to the best of my abilities, from 1,000 miles away from home.
My father-in-law sends me the Tribune every week, and I’ve submitted more than 100 resumes and several informational requests. Networking, for me, is not all it’s cracked up to be. Employers need to be more objective, headhunters need to be better listeners and have more compassion and employment agencies need to quit belittling people who seek assistance.
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