I went to a training session on Thursday night. The event was about using social media. It was sponsored by a local “networking” group.
I am officially sick of networking.
Because it isn’t networking. It is begging and whoring yourself. There are many of these events in Rochester. All of them crammed full of the unemployed masses (including myself) all looking for some kind of connection.
They follow the rules. You are supposed to be networking. And they attack it with gusto. The problem is that everyone else is unemployed too. What is the point of introducing yourself to the same people you are competing with for the two legitimate gigs that open up this month.
This event made everyone go around the room and introduce themselves. With their elevator pitch. W.h.a.t.e.v.e.r. Seriously. No one cares. They care about my friend VS who identified herself as a recruiter for a major company. (She was attacked by the drooling jackals after the session.)
So – let us be honest – you don’t care about my elevator pitch, my tagline or whatever it is – and I don’t care about yours. I can’t help you find a job and you can’t help me. Lets just stop the madness.
Stop going around the room and introducing ourselves with our painstakingly crafted elevator pitches.
Don’t get me wrong, I AM a fan of building relationships. I thrive on them. But I am after MEANINGFUL relationships. I am interested in nurturing my existing network. I am even interested in expanding my network. But not randomly. I don’t want to connect with two new people every week because some networking group tells me I must.
You cannot convince me that having coffee with two other unemployed is somehow going to get me hired. What WILL get me a job is continuing to stay connected to the people in my existing network. The people I have built significant and long term relationships with…THESE are the people that care about me and will help me.
3 responses so far ↓
1 YB // Apr 20, 2009 at 3:38 am
I’ll have a meaningful relationship with you on Wed, 29 APR, 11AM, Rocky’s before the game at Frontier ;^)
2 Greg Taylor // May 17, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Well-written and totally understood. I practice similar to you, Mike. I am not looking for a job. I am looking for connectors who might enrich my network. I practice give to get twice a week dedicating two mornings a week to meeting people of all sorts to learn how we might enhance each other’s networking.
Many have never been exposed to networking and find it difficult. My LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter followers and networks all started with a few existing contacts and grew. Everyone starts modestly.
I look for interested listeners who ask thoughtful questions. I also look for gratitude and follow-up. Those who listen, question, follow-up and express gratitude are people I spend my time with readily. To others I preach these lessons learned in my own networking. When they hear repeatedly from others they may learn and advance their skills. Otherwise, it is as you suggest a herd of needy people lost in transition awaiting a silver bullet all in pursuit of a job. It’s becoming a pay it forward world and many are stuck in WIIFM.
3 mikelally // May 18, 2009 at 12:11 am
@gregtaylor. Thanks for the comment! You really WORK at this and god bless, I don’t know how you do it.
I’d be interested (and my 5 readers would be interested) in knowing what you think your ratio of dud to success is with people. Realizing that I have even “dudded” on you from time to time. I try to come through when it counts.
Also interested in your thoughts on what the front lines look like from your perspective. You’ve been a networking guy for quite a while. Do you find it more challenging now with 10% unemployment?
Love the “pay it forward” approach.
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