What Problems Have You Encountered In Networking?

This page is part of an ongoing project with the Peer Progress group, as we experience networking problems during our career search.

Meeting the same people every time, or always meeting unemployed people

The quick answer here is to expand your networking activities to include more groups. Many people start networking only within "job seeker" networks, and these groups do tend to have a lot of the same (and unemployed people). Try professional societies, volunteer groups, hobby or interest groups, churches, or any other group where you are likely to have common interests with the people who are already there.

Don't spend the evening talking to people you already know, unless you are actively working to build a relationship. Talk to new people every time you go to a meeting.

Low self-confidence

Look back at your accomplishments. Ask your references what they think your best attributes are. Stay professional, and keep up your professional skills as well as your contacts. Look for ways to help others. All of this is a continuing effort.

If your self-confidence issue is about going to group meetings, take a friend!

Set realistic goals and expectations. Networking is a slow and time-consuming process for everyone; don't feel that you aren't succeeding if one meeting doesn't go well.

All theory, no practice

This is a tough bridge for many of us to cross. One aspect of this project is to accumulate a set of cookbooks, best practices, scripts, and sample letters to help with many networking activities. We may also practice some aspects of networking in future meetings.

Hitting a plateau

This list contains a lot of the reasons that we may hit a plateau, but the trick here is to recognize that your job search is stalling, and to find a way to break out. It takes effort, but the key is to examine your habits, and deliberately break them.

Encountering negativity

In networking, there's a fine line between needing to vent, and being negative. We all get frustrated, but there are good and bad times to express it, as well as good and bad ways to talk about what's bothering you. If you're the one feeling negative, ask for a reality check, and ask for ways to address the problems you're encountering.

If it's someone else going negative, you may need to distance yourself from what you're seeing and hearing. It may help to try to change the focus or topic, but if the negativity is starting to affect you, take care of yourself first.

Setting objectives

The biggest key to setting effective goals and objectives is specificity. Goals should be challenging, clear, and measurable. Setting a realistic timeline and intermediate goals is also helpful.

Getting past "support groups" New groups (professional societies, hobby groups, etc.) Volunteering Church Set up informational interviews "Get "references" and referrals -- find a "safe" first person to contact Take small steps

Personal obstacles

Difficulties of cold calling

As with all networking, this is about building connections. Start with email if it's more comfortable. You can start with "I'd like to talk to you about your job search." Build common ground, and try to build a relationship.

Here's a sample script that you can start with, and change for your own information and style:

My name is ________ and I am a Nortel alumnus who is working with Right Management in getting ready for the next phase of my career. <referrer's name> suggested I network with you since you have walked this path as well.

My background is in Software Design Management having had several roles within TDM and Succession R&D and my interest is in securing a similar type role in a company locally. In order to broaden the scope of opportunities I am also formalizing the project management skills that I developed at Nortel and am working towards PMP certification and aiming to write the exam in the late August or early September.

I would like to have the opportunity to speak with or meet with you to get your thoughts on the job search, networking, etc. You can contact me via email or by phone at 481-nnnn.

Informational interviews

Ask about corporate culture. What are their likes, dislikes?
Ask for connections.
Ask what worked for their job search.
Establish rapport. Buy coffee, meet for lunch, etc.

Feeling of "begging" for a job

This is a tough issue, but it is also a "personal barrier" that the other person doesn't necessarily see, unless you let it show through in your words or tone of voice.

Don't ask for a job. The person you're talking to probably doesn't have one to offer.
Don't seem "desparate." You can commiserate about the difficulties of job search; most people have been there. But don't dwell on it.

Contacts don't follow through

This happens. Sometimes it's because people don't feel the urgency that we do; follow-through can take weeks in some cases. Keep in contact, keep going to meetings if that's where you met the person. Keep working on building a relationship. Find ways that you can provide help or assistance to the person or group.

Contacts don't have company loyalty