Networking is key, key to success during a job search process. We all agree on this.
Everyone knows that about 80% of the job offers is not available on ad. Only a
powerful network will reveal them to you.
Most accompanying partners find it very difficult to build a network in a new country.
This is true, but it is highly remarkable that some do not see any major difficulty in
the networking process. Do you know why?
They like it, they have fun networking: If a job search would be a job (well it is,
isn't?) networking would be the best part of it: the very part that keeps motivation
high.
No need to tell you that these individuals are extremely successful at quickly getting
the job they want, at the company they want.
If only reading these words raise your blood pressure and make you feel
uncomfortable, there are just a few things you need to know to make you feel
better: “The unspoken rules of networking”.
1st rule: Don’t ask for a job. It's very natural to feel exposed when going to people
asking for a job in the same way as asking a favor. It makes both feel
uncomfortable, you and the one you solicit. Be relaxed about this; you're not going
to be asked to do that.
Most people feel bad going and asking, whereas they prefer going and offering
something.
2nd rule: get yourself something to offer. Take time to think about it. This could be
your time, your knowledge, your passion. You need to find it out.
It is the right place here for my favorite sentence about networking:
“Give without remembering, receive without forgetting”
3rd rule: networking is not a one to one Win-Win. You do not do someone a favor
and expect a favor back. It just does not work that way.
But if you are active enough for your network, you will soon see the benefit comes in
return.
Going out to meet people to build a network is very good but if you do not ask the
names and contact details of the people you meet, you will not be able to follow-up
which basically means you have lost your and the other person’s time.
Therefore the 4th rule is to make sure you get the name of the person you met.
The 5th rule, is not to be picky. The relevance of networking with a person may not
be obvious, but you do not know who might be in this person’s network, what he has
to say. Also, maybe you have something interesting to offer: remember unspoken
rule number 3...
