Networking is like a garden....

Lots of really smart, really sociable people I know get hung up when they hear the word "networking." It just strikes fear in their hearts. One reason, I think, is that the word is so poorly defined and understood. So, in an attempt to close that gap...

I define networking as meeting other individuals, establishing a connection of some sort (personal and / or professional), and exploring how you can help each other. So, you are a friend of a friend, working at a company I am interested in. I call you up and invite you to coffee. You agree and we meet. I ask you to share your knowledge and experience of the company, perhaps the industry and similar companies. If it goes really well, I may ask you if you can introduce me to others at the company. I also offer to help you. I introduce you to a friend at company you want as a client. Or I put you in touch with a vendor that could help you. At the very least, I ask how I can help you, listen closely, and then get back to you if and when I can help you out. Afterwards, I send you a nice thank you e-mail, summarizing what we discussed, and getting you any information I promised. I check back with you in a few months, if I don't hear from you first, or if an opportunity to help you out arises. It's really that simple, and it can be really fun!

Now, the trick, for job-seekers, is PATIENCE. This is not like like a slot machine, where if you put enough quarters in you will sooner or later get a big instant payout. Don't expect a job offer at the end of a coffee or lunch meeting. Networking is like cultivating a garden: you plant many seeds, you water them and nourish them, and some will grow and yield fruit, others won't. In practice, you have many meetings with many people, you check in with them every so often, or when you can help them, and you proactively look for ways to help them or to create win-win for both of you. AND, you never know when they will blossom. You may be networking for a job now, and one of your buddies, who you stay in touch with, helps you get your next job three years later, or puts you in touch with a client, or who knows what.

Bottom line: Networking is about creating connection and helping each other out. Think of it as a GARDEN you cultivate, NOT A SLOT MACHINE that will pay out if you just keep playing long enough.

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