|
Networking Mistakes We Often Make Networking requires strategy, research and social grace. But as competition for jobs remains high, it's easy to fumble. 'Remember that you have two ears and one mouth, and use them in proportion,' says Bobbi Moss, general manager at Govig & Associates, a Scottsdale, Ariz., recruiter. Networking is about building relationships-not simply selling yourself. 'People have talked to me for only a few minutes, and then asked if they would be the right fit for a position. That's too aggressive,' says Suki Shah, chief executive of GetHired.com, a jobs site based in Palo Alto, Calif. Here are five networking 'don'ts.' 1. Don't misuse the Internet. Some workers rely too much on email and networking websites such as LinkedIn.com. But nothing beats meeting face to face, whether it's over lunch or a cup of coffee, experts say. 'People forget that it's very easy to delete an email, not return a phone call. It's very difficult to leave a meeting,' says Scot Melland, chief executive of Dice Holdings, a New York-based provider of specialized career sites. 'People remember faces and conversations more than the written word.' Don't send sloppy or mass emails. Take the time to check spelling, especially each name, and tailor each letter to specific recipients based on your shared interests. 'It's very easy to determine when I am on the receiving end of an email blast. Those messages get an automatic delete,' says Peter Crist of Crist|Kolder Associates, a Hinsdale, Ill.-based recruiter of executives and board directors. 'They write me: 'Dear Mr. Christ.' ' 2. Don't be vague. Tell network contacts about specific ambitions for your career or professional growth so they know how to support you. Customize your message based on a contact's experience. 'A very experienced product executive told me during a single lunch that he wanted to start a company, go back to school and serve on a board. How on earth could I ever help that person? My take-away was that he didn't know what he wanted to do,' says Mr. Melland. 3. Don't stop. Keep networking, even when you're not looking for a job. That way, your network is in place when you do need it. Keep in touch by sending occasional updates about your career interests and accomplishments. Let people in your network 'know about your long-term career aspirations, additional training or next steps there might be for you,' says Lucy Leske, partner at Witt/Kieffer, an Oak Brook, Ill.-based executive search firm. 'People will see you as having goals.' 4. Don't be selfish. Networking solely for your own goals is a mistake. Also help your contacts. For example, before a meeting, research a contact's business and its challenges, and offer solutions based on your experience. 'It shows that you have initiative, that you have an interest in that person, and you are not just trying to extract value from them,' Mr. Melland says. 'And it demonstrates that you have skills.' Helping your contacts connect with each other, and sharing useful information are other ways to provide value. 'Somebody just sent me a report on the NYC tech start-up scene,' Mr. Shah says. 'I appreciated it. That's a great way to stay connected.' 5. Don't misuse your network. Distributing your references' contact information too frequently can lead to burnout. And don't abuse your network with too much contact. 'There is a polite way to check in,' Mr. Crist says, 'but don't send me an email every week badgering me.' Also, be wary of name-dropping. Just because someone is key in an industry, an interviewer may not be impressed. Furthermore, be confident about your references' reputation before distributing their contact information. 'A reference from someone who is not a stellar worker will make you look bad,' says Carol Middlebrough, employment advocate at Our Place DC, a Washington nonprofit. 'If you know they are flighty, they are probably not the best worker.' Finally, while including your parents in your network can be helpful, bringing them to an interview is not. According to a recent survey from staffing firm Adecco, 30% of recent graduates said their parents were involved in their job search, and 3% said their parents have joined interviews. 'This is a parent trying to go too far in helping,' says Janette Marx, an Adecco senior vice president. 'When it comes time for an interview, parents need to let children stand on their own.' RUTH MANTELL |
|
|
