By Jeff Altman, Big Game Hunter
People seem to be afraid of networking. They have many excuses to avoid it.
- We are connected to (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Mafia). Why should I actually talk to them?
- You want me to what ??? Don’t you know I don’t !!!
- It just gonna be a meat market
- Personal network doesn’t work!
- I thought people stopped doing it in the last century!
Still, personal network remains alive today, whether you are a small business owner, a job hunter or a member of some affinity group that brings people together.
Participation in networking meetings provides increased exposure, knowledge, leads, suggestions and ideas that help you become more effective in your professional life.
The big mistake people make when they think about networking is that they think that if they go once, suddenly, the seas will share, the sky will open up, their business or job lines will explode and it will be incredible.
In fact, nobody expects it to be so. They expect to attend a meeting and no one will talk to those they want to “hug the wall” and waste their time. And they are right. After all, who will help someone they have met once? Who goes out of their way to help this person?
I will give you a clue. It’s either all or none. Ok, you figured out of it.
A woman I trained regularly began to attend network meetings for her profession. A reliable senior manager she felt stuck. “I like to go home at the end of the day,”
“Who doesn’t,” I replied. “Your other job is finding a job, and in your part of the country you have to rebuild some of your relationships to get someone to bring the next job to you. Wouldn’t you rather have what happens than apply online?
“Duh!”
Most people hate cold calls. Networking helps create hot calls out of cold calls. Networking is like breathing is for your life. You may have a career, but without it your career will die from.
Dumb Network Error: No Patience
Here are 8 things to do before you go to your next network collection.
- Bring business cards. If you don’t have them, order them. Do not make them bland and boring. Let them have some personality.
- Create a divisible contact in your phone to offer others when you meet.
- When attending a network meeting, be prepared to present yourself in 45 seconds of tops! “My name is Jeff Altman. People hire me without BS job search coaching and career counseling globally because I do the process of finding work and succeeding with it much easier. I try to connect with people or businesses who need an extra set of eyes and ears on their situation – an ally that can help them now and in the years to come.
- Bring a brochure, flyer or resume depending on whether you arrive as a job hunter or business owner.
- Take care of others and what they need. If you are only focused on yourself and your needs, you will not create a relationship. Instead, you will be seen as a taker. People give to people to give. Give more; Get more. In New York, we used to say that people hate Mooches.
- Carry a smile on your face and be kind instead of making sure the wall stays vertical. Trust me. The wall remains vertical without leaning on it.
- Gather business cards and contact cards from people you meet. Follow -up with people after the collection. “Hi! I’m Jeff Altman, Big Game Hunter. I’m the coach you met the other night at the meeting. Have you time to talk now, or would it be better if we plan time on another occasion? I want to get to know you and see how I can be able to help you.” Trust me. Almost everyone knows you will be helped too. When you have the more in -depth conversation, be prepared to talk about who you might want to meet.
- If you decide to join the group, find a way to volunteer. In most cases, volunteering does not take much time and it makes you visible to other members and participants.
Networking will make a difference throughout your career, especially when you don’t have to network. Start meeting people and start getting out and around!
© The Big Game Hunter, Inc. Asheville, NC 2017, 2023
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About Jeff Altman, Big Game Hunter
People hire Jeff Altman, Big Game Hunter to give no BS career counseling globally because he makes many things in people’s careers easier. These things can
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