The Remarkably Simple Trick That Will Boost Your Networking Opportunities

Interview, Job Search, Networking

I would hope by now we’ve learned the importance of networking and its integral part in job searching. However, what I don’t hear a lot about is networking while on the job and not job searching.

Whichever way you look at it, the corporate world is filled with politics. Love it or hate it, it’s there and you must play the game to get ahead. I don’t agree with it, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be aware.

Whether you’re trying to receive a raise, promotion, relocation, department transfer or just kudos, you need to learn to network. This applies to everyone at every level, introverts and extroverts and everyone else in between. The main driver behind networking is to become close with the decision-makers of the company. By gaining their acquaintance, doors will open easier and quicker for you than the person sitting next to you. Why? Because you know who makes the decisions.

It’s a simple game of schmoozing.

For the longest time, I used to believe the best way to network at work was at the water cooler. Here, you can talk sports, television, current events, politics and company news. It’s these conversations where you can showcase your mental prowess in the art of conversing, a skill the person you’re talking to might not have known you possess. Once you can make that connection with a decision-maker, they’ll want to talk to you more and, before you know it, the two of you are friends.

The problem with the water cooler is that you never know who you’ll catch there, and it’s by pure happenstance that you get the person you wanted (Tweet this thought.) While I still believe the water cooler can be a good place to network while on the job, I’ve found a better way.

 

The Bait

It doesn’t matter if you have a cubicle or an office; people are always walking by wherever you sit. And if there’s one thing that’s a guarantee at every corporate office, it’s that people are looking for a pick-me-up. The usual is coffee, tea, cappuccino or espresso, but who doesn’t like a little food with their drink? In comes candy.

The best, my detailed and thorough research has revealed, is chocolate. Everybody loves a little chocolate here and there. Now, instead of waiting by the water cooler, hoping to catch someone, you can lure people to you with your chocolate fishing rod. Once they’re at your desk, spark up a conversation about whatever you want. The goal is to find mutual hobbies or interests — don’t start off with something politically charged or controversial. Befriend them!

 

Taking It to the Next Level

Now, if you really want to go the extra mile, do a little research on your “targets.”

Let’s suppose you want to befriend the COO, your manager and the IT director. Try to find someone who knows them — a friend, coworker, their admin, etc. — and ask what their favorite candy is. Let’s say it’s Snickers. Then be sure to keep a secret stash of Snickers at your desk so they’ll come to you every time they feel the urge satisfy their cravings. Before you know it, the COO is coming to you every day, and by the end of the week, that’s 20-30 minutes of face time!

This is the key difference between the water cooler and a chocolate stash: one is a passing-by conversation, and the other is a meaningful one-on-one conversation. And those one-on-ones will get you farther in the company.

It seems almost too easy, and that’s because it is. You’re simply thinking of others, something we were all taught as young children. Now we’re taking that basic principle and applying it to the professional world.

So polish up your best candy bowl and load it up with the good stuff! Nerds, Snickers, Tootsie Rolls, Kit Kats, Twix, Hershey’s… the possibilities are endless.

Would you bait your higher-ups to get more face time? What would be the right bait to lure you in? Let us know in the comments!

Image: Flickr

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