Every week, NETSHARE hosts Ask the Coach, a phone-in coaching session with leading career management experts. Here is an excerpt from a recent session with career coach Don Orlando.
Don has a favorite phrase he often repeats during his Ask the Coach calls, “There is a war for talent going on,” and Don defines talent as knowledge, skills and abilities harnessed to passion. To win the war, you need to have an effective networking strategy, which brings Don to a favorite subject, the Folklore of Networking.
As Don rightly notes, the folklore behind networking is that it is a mutually mortifying process where you have to ask everyone you know for a job. That’s not networking; it’s begging. Networking is the exchange of something of value for something you have to offer – bartering for something that benefits both parties.
The reality is that you only get out of networking what you put into it. After all, why should someone help you just because you ask them? You need to demonstrate your value. If most executives used the same timidity and were as unsure in their professional lives as they are in networking situations, they all would be sweeping floors. An interview should be considered just another meeting. Networking should be just another accomplishment; just another work challenge. When you need to solve a problem, do you turn away or seek out resources to help you achieve your goal? That’s networking.
In today’s new world of hiring, companies are seeking out knowledge experts. They use social media sites like LinkedIn and networking resources like NETSHARE to find those experts with the skills they need. The hiring managers are scanning blogs, forums, and groups looking for experts who comment. It’s important not to find yourself associated with “pooled ignorance,” so think carefully and be thoughtful when you respond. The objective is to share your expertise, not just make noise. Join groups that are relevant to your expertise, like IEEE, SHRM or MENG. Be active and contribute to stand out from the crowd. Write articles and become known to the movers and the shakers in the arena where you want to make a difference.
Don also noted that many companies put real importance on “degrees.” However, what value is a degree that is 20 years old? If you can show that your professional development has been continuous throughout your career you will have a better chance of standing out.
So make a connection and reach out to the experts who need your talents. Test the waters. Once you connect as a peer through effective networking then the hiring authorities will seek you out with an offer. The strategy is to network so they find you and so you can differentiate yourself so you don’t get lost in the herd when it comes time for a cattle call.
