Chess Pieces

Linda Lupatkin, Career Counselor, Coach and Consultant

Not to sound old school in our new era replete with technology, but one of the most important tools in a job search or career transition is networking. It always has been and always will be an essential part of a job search.

I personally got my first internship at WABC-TV by networking, my first job in TV by asking the news director at KSAT-TV for a tour of his TV station, and my first job at a law firm by networking with alumni. The law job was as a result of my attending an alumni event (the University of Texas was playing OU and the alumni were getting together at a local bar in Denver – Hook ‘Em). I didn’t know a soul, but I ended up with a coveted law clerk position at an insurance defense firm.

But networking is only as effective as the person doing the networking and while it’s not difficult to do, once you get past you’re initial reluctance, there are many people who do it all wrong. Which brings me to the point of this post, the top four networking mistakes people tend to make.

1. The drive by. Networking is about building relationships not handing out business cards or introducing yourself to as many people as you can at a networking event. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve been in a large group and there are people circulating, introducing themselves, handing me a business card I didn’t want in the first place and then moving on to the next person. They’ve given me no incentive whatsoever to want to help them.

2. It’s all about me. That’s the person who goes on and on about themselves without taking the time to find out about you, to determine common ground, to build a relationship. Not only is that poor networking etiquette, it’s just poor communication overall.

3. Asking for a job instead of information. A common mistake is for people to ask, “do you know of any openings?” Well if the person doesn’t (and usually they don’t off the top of their heads) that’s the end of the discussion. A much better approach is to ask for information, questions like “what are the trends in your industry?” and “who do you know that I could talk to for more information?” Those are conversation starters and in turn potential relationship builders.

4. Not effectively communicating your goals. Sometimes there are people who are personable and friendly, but they can’t succinctly articulate what it is they’re looking for. If I don’t know what you’re after, how can I help you get it? Whenever you attend a networking event you should think about what your own goals are and what you’d like to achieve at the networking event, then develop your message with those objectives in mind.

Networking is about building relationships. When networking you should be trying to find out about the person with whom you’re speaking and be thinking about ways you can help them. Then when the conversation turns to you, you want to have a cogent message about who you are and what you’re hoping to achieve. By showing an interest and an eagerness to help them, the person you’re talking to will in turn be more inclined to help you.

Linda