Do you know who’s in your network?
The old saying “It’s not what you know but who you know that matters” applies as much today as it always did. The difference now might be that your network is larger and more geographically spread than it could have been 10 years ago.
So do you know who is in your network?
OK if you go to Bebo or Facebook etc you can see your “friends” at the touch of a button. What about your e-mail mailing list? Or your address book in your phone? Or your Christmas card list even?
How about the internal mailing list in your organisation. Or your business card holder ( what do you mean you always throw the cards you get away?)
Then there’s your family and friends – and their friends….
And previous employers and colleagues and associates.
How is your picture looking now? If you were to draw your contacts network like a family tree how many branches have you got now?
The reason I ask is that a couple of people have asked me the same question lately.
How can I get a job in the sector/area that I want to work in when I have no experience?
First suggestion – ask someone already in that sector – that’s where your network comes in.
Second suggestion – use any names you get from that person to address an enquiry/CV to someone personally ( you may not know them but somebody you know does. Tell them that’s how you made the connection).
Third suggestion – ask people in your network to give you feedback on your CV, personal performance etc to build up a clear picture of yourself.
Fourth suggestion – if you pay it forward ie do a good turn for someone, remember that when you need help they should be only too willing to pay back.
Get out those coloured pens and a big piece of paper and start drawing!
Jul 01, 2008
Yep, networking is important.
There is a wonderful poem by Mary Oliver “Wild Geese”.
It begins
“You do not have to walk for 100 miles in the desert on your knees
. . and it ends
The Wild Geese are calling you to the family of things”.
David Whyte, the British poet, ends one of his poems
Everyone is waiting. Everyone is waiting for you.
Jul 01, 2008
I agree Jo – sometimes we don’t appreciate what is right under our noses!
Jul 01, 2008
Get yourself connected. What do you think of informational interviews? I have been speaking to a number of college/uni students getting them to think about using their network to speak to people about the work the do, if it works out looking out for possible work experience/internship (unpaid yes) and then use that as leverage to get a job in the industry.
I usually lose them at the unpaid bit!!!!
Jul 02, 2008
Dave. I agree – this is a great idea. The issue of leaving college and uni with debt might mean that doing something for no pay is not an option – or not an attractive one. But it could reap rewards in the longer term – how to encourage people to think in the longer term though is challenging.