Kevin,
In one of your webinars, you mentioned two types of networks: real and "acquaintance" (or something like that). I would like to know how to cultivate a real network. I don't really think that I am relationship challenged. It is just the nature of my personality to be calm, cool and collected, and in the background. People don't really gravitate to me. So anyway, I have 53 LinkedIn connections that span most of my life. But they are mostly acquaintances and they aren't really people that engage in an equal give and take with me.
This isn't a personal question. I'm more interested in the professional side. How to I create those professional relationships that can stand the test of time?
Karel
Karel,
You are spot on in your approach. Like I talk about in the Bootcamp, you want to grow your loose (btw- I like “acquaintance”) network so that you can have the best choices for your real network.
Be you – You are building relationships here - not entering into some quick, transactional situation. The goal is to find your true audience and for them to “know-like-trust” you. Do this by being yourself . The easiest, and more productive, way to stand out is by being you. Not to mention, you will find it infinitely easier than trying to constantly morph to what you think someone else wants you to be. Which, if hired for, is going to turn out to be a huge disappointment for you both.
OpenNetworker – This is absolutely the easiest way to rapidly grow your loose network with likeminded people who understand “give to get.” I’ve talked about getting quality out of quantity in the past, but it’s worth repeating. You can never assume who may be able to help you or be connected to someone who can help – or even hire – you. So, by broadening your first level connections, you simply give yourself more options to find the people who are your true audience. Focus on pushing your message out and having as many resources as possible to help spread your message…not restricting the flow.
Be a Hub – This is the best way to stand out in the job search. Good economy or bad economy, people need great information. When you provide this – as a hub – you put yourself in the spotlight with your audience (peers and potential hiring managers). The broader your network (hence, OpenNetworker) the greater the likelihood that your audience will get access to your information. Plus, cultivation completely takes care of itself. When you provide great information to your audience, it's like a self-tending garden. Very little maintenance is required. Plus, by being yourself, they get to self-select when your message resonates with them…letting you know they want to be part of your real network.
Give, give, give - It's a cornerstone to building successful relationships. This article shows you how you can do just that.
By putting this system to work, you will start to see networking as a by-product of you simply being you…versus some shoomzy, alter-ego you feel you have to assume to play the game. You get to be yourself and attract the right opportunities. Sounds like a much simpler way to find a job, right?
For more FREE advice like this, enter your name and email address below to receive your Complimentary copy of "70+ Tips to Perfect the Interview."
Check your email inbox for the copy after you click "submit."
2008 – 2011 (c) Career Attraction – All Rights Reserved
Well Kevin I have to disagree with you in part on this one. Karel wants a network that will stand the test of time. An open network is too loose of a network to do this as people will not know you much less remember you.
Karel is looking for a closer professional network.
My question to Karel is how much work are you willing to put into this network?
LinkedIn is a great place to start. Search on people by the same title as you have. Start with just wanting information about why they chose it and what it is like in their industry or company. Eventually this will lead into a business relationship. Remember to give more than you receive. Stay in touch with these people even if it is just a short message. Answer questions they might have as fully as yo can. Ask pertinent questions.
Join the same group they are in as it makes it easier to stay in touch.
Now to get Kevin off the hook! You also need to diversify your network with people who may use your services or you would work with i.e. customer. This is where the open network can help you find these people to help build your network.
Building a network takes times and it takes work to keep a good network going. Networks are not just for when you are job hunting they can be useful while you are working to bounce ideas around.
Good luck Karel and like Kevin said just be yourself.
Joseph,
Thanks for your comment. My point is that quality and quantity are not mutually exclusive. By engaging in open networking, Karel can braodcast her message (her Solution) to a larger audience. Out of that larger audience, she can then select who will become part of her inner sanctum. And, properly done, that inner sanctum will self-select.
I liken it to filling an auditorium with as many people as possible before you give a presentation. The more people who hear what you have to share - the better. It only increases the likelihood of taking that first step towards exploring a more trusted connection.
That being said, I completely agree with your comment about giving more than you receive. This is of the more liberating, and rewarding, parts of becoming a hub. You will feel better giving, that will make you infinitely more comfortable and lead to stronger, more real connections with thsoe who are potentials for your "real" network.
Thanks again for the comment!
Thanks, Kevin and Joseph, for your thoughts. I need some more time to review your comments. Then I will be back to comment. Life-changing thoughts need more contemplation before commenting on them.
Thanks for the discussion, very informative and useful.
Pam Lassiter, author of The New Job Security, describes two types of networks: "pelicans" vs. "dragonflies."
Briefly, pelicans are people you know well and who are likely to be in the same career field.You may see them regularly at professional associations. They can help you keep up on what's happening in your occupation or industry, including new new opportunities. However, your contacts and theirs are likely to overlap quite a bit.
The "dragonflies" are from various sources: friends and family, alumni of your college, members at the same place of worship, neighbors, and people you don't know as well. For example, you may have served on the same task force at a previous company or your kids were in the same Girl Scout troop. You may exchange holiday cards, but don't keep in touch regularly. They have a lot of contacts that are different than yours. Dragonflies are often from different occupations, industries, employers, etc. If you need an inside contact at a particular company, dragonflies will expand your reach more than pelicans.
According to Lasster, we should have both pelicans and dragonflies in our network.
Sharon Jones
Coauthor, The Parent's Crash Course in Career Planning: Helping Your College Student Succeed
Thanks for everyone who has responded. Let me tell what has happened since I posted my original question. Earlier this year, I had about 55 contacts, who were basically all the people that I know by name and face. But I wanted more relationships. Not the Facebook kind of relationships. I wanted people who are professional, influential, and willing bridge the gap between technology and communication. So one day I had this dream. I was at a party and Kool and the Gang were singing Get Down On It. Click. It suddenly occurred to me that I should just invite everybody and see what happens.
I started by searching for employees at my former company. I invited the ones who seemed to be well connected by sending them an invitation that said "HI! I would like to get to know you. I was a Program Finance Analyst at XXX company........" Essentially, I create a context and invite people to join me.
So now I have 227 contacts (the number grows weekly) and there are still 239 outstanding invitations. So if eventually everyone accepts, then I'll be well over 500 contacts. And the game is changing. How do I keep all these people interested? As people connect to me, I send them a Thank You message. Periodically, I try to contact each one and ask them a question. But mostly, I try to respond to anything they post that floats across my Linkedin homepage. I'm beginning to think I need some CRM software.
I used to be a closed networker, then I tried being a LION, now I am an just an open networker. If I see someone that interests me I'll connect, and if they want to connect to me I will.
Authenticity is the key to growing a powerful network that has a long lasting shelf life. LinkedIn is a great place to start. Where appropriate, reach out and engage your contacts and contacts-to-be. in meaningful dialogue. LinkedIn groups are great for this! What interests you? What are you passionate about? Ask a question, answer a question, "comment" or "like" a discussion. Send a note when a contact achieves a goal or has shared an interesting perspective on on a topic. Get involved.
But don't limit yourself to just an on-line relationship. Consider the on-line relationship like a handshake. What's next? Is there an opportunity to take the introduction "off-line"? And if you're in the same city, what a great opportunity to meet over a coffee and discuss similar concerns, goals, issues, opportunities, etc in your industry or professional position.
I echo "give more".....it's so beneficial. And you'll experience results you never expected.
Have fun!!
Thanks for everyone thoughts. Now I am about to tip over 300 connections, but still finding ways to engage these contacts is hard. As LinkedIn says "Relationships Matter", so it is not simply about connecting to who you know; it is about connecting to those people you don't know who might be willing to inspire, motivate, engage, and encourage you. We all have the power to change lives by simply giving a little bit of time to our connections.
I am extremely impressed along with your writing talents as well as with the format in your blog. Is this a paid subject matter or did you customize it yourself? Either way stay up the nice high quality writing, it's uncommon to look a nice blog like this one nowadays..