Cast The Net Far & Wide; Networking Works For You

The quote "it's not what you know it's who you know" has been read and said so many times and in so many situations that it's hard to figure out who came up with it first. Perhaps it was a wise-man businessman, because when it comes to landing a job in today's market, he's right on the money.

It's estimated that up to 80 percent of jobseekers get the gig through networking.

At Brookwoods Group, we see value in networking. We host two events a year, opening the doors to a relaxing setting where conversation flows from candidate to client, candidate to candidate or client to client. Whatever the combination, missing out on networking is just plain missing out.

Networking Know-How

Back in my days at a major oil and gas company, we put out an ad for an administrative assistant, knowing full well we would receive hundreds of applications. One of the VP's said if given the choice, he would rather hire someone he already knew or at least knew of.  Resumes that come across a hiring manager's desk via a trusted employee make it to the top of the pile.

That's why there's no need to fret if a networking event doesn't result in you pressing the flesh with hiring managers. The mechanisms behind the idea are still at work because that one person you did meet, no matter his or her title, might be the one to pass your name on to the boss. Additionally, the more events you attend the faster you spin your networking web.  The result – you now have a character reference via word of mouth that reaches the right ear. This is a form of networking.

Now, you've all heard of and have probably attended more than your share of career fairs. That's where seekers have 60 seconds or less to present themselves to staffers before moving on, assembly-line style, to the next booth. This is not networking.

Networking takes place in social settings, adding to the casual, no-strings-attached ambience. Often, the very nature of this stress-free interaction lends itself to a longer conversation later, this time in a business setting.

Why networking works:

• Social atmosphere takes the pressure off both job seekers and hiring managers
• Allows jobseekers to tap into "hidden" jobs that have yet to be posted
• Saves hiring managers time as the "it's who you know" maxim pushes qualified resumes to the top of their pile
• Introducing a jobseeker to the boss accomplishes two things – you make the company look good, and you look good to the company
• Potential employers can observe candidates in a casual yet professional setting; getting a glimpse as to whether or not they complement the cultural fit of the company

Networking Niche

Certainly it makes sense to join a networking group with people of like minds. If you're in marketing communications, it wouldn't be advantageous to join a chemical engineering group. But if you find some groups on the outer fringe of the industry you want to work in, definitely check it out.

Case in point is the story of a self-employed, freelance professional writer. Her networking group seemed like a good fit – it was full of folks who were also independent contractors. However, she was dismayed to discover that the services they were selling – life insurance, legal services, real estate, nutritional supplements and even wine clubs – didn't match at all what she was selling, which was her services as a communicator. Furthermore, they didn't seem likely to hire a writer or PR consultant anytime soon.

She was discouraged, but continued attending networking events as often as possible. It eventually paid off because someone who knew someone who knew someone connected her with a major university, resulting in a freelance contract that has provided her with regular assignments.

How to choose a networking group:

• Look for like minds while keeping in mind the theory of "six degrees of separation"
• Take advantage of research tools right at your fingertips – for example, LinkedIn and Facebook Business
• Connect with a member of the group(s) and ask if you can tag along to an event as their guest

Networking Nuances and No-no's

To make the most of your networking experience, research your audience by trying to find out who's going to be there. That's what one gentleman did, and it couldn't have worked out better.

Upon discovering that a television news producer was going to be at an event that mostly catered to marketing and communications professionals, this networking-savvy jobseeker came prepared to swap war stories from his early days in the TV industry. But he knew to not make the conversation all about him, so he asked the producer about his work, how he got into it and why he enjoyed it. Instead of asking the producer to help him, he asked how he could help the producer.

Check, check and check. When something opened up at the station a few months later, guess who got the call?

Bottom line, this guy made a great and lasting impression by doing everything right:

• Researched his audience
• Went in with a clear goal
• Exchanged business cards and social media information
• Asked for more information about the producer's company, which is something that can be set up as an informational interview at a later date

Just as important, here's what he didn't do:

• Booze it up. Even though plenty of others were imbibing, he knew alcohol for him serves as a truth serum and didn't want to risk a sloppy, TMI encounter
• Corner the producer. Networking events are all about mingling. If you go in all hyper-focused on that one single person you think will give you your next job, you're setting yourself up to fail
• Ask contacts to mass distribute his resume. Even recruiters at Brookwoods don't do that, because we know that matching a candidate with a client is about quality, not quantity.

Networking Never Ends

Something I hear a lot is "I don't have time to network." You must make time, which really isn't hard to do considering Houston has numerous groups that meet at all hours, including before-work breakfasts and after-work happy hours. 

Okay, so you schmoozed, you interviewed, you got the job. Your networking days are behind you.

Not so fast.

For one thing, that job you landed last month could be gone next month. Likewise, if you're the boss, two-weeks-notice from a departing employee doesn't leave you much time to recruit from scratch all over again. Networking helps employees remain relevant and marketable in their industry and encourages employers to take note of new talent.

Continue the connection with your networking groups. Let them know how they helped you either find the job or the right person for the job. Your happy ending is somebody else's inspiration. In fact, this is your chance to help somebody else.

When I was looking for work, I connected with Between Jobs Ministry. I will never forget the time somebody helped me with my resume. Now I help others with theirs. For me, and I hope this is the case for most people, it's not only payback; it's pay it forward.

(Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net)