Not sure if it’s the time of year, the economy, or something else all together, but I am getting a lot of requests from people to “keep them in mind” if I hear about open roles.
If you’ve read my notes for any length of time, you know I love networking. I think networking is a critical life skill. I love connecting people who can mutually benefit from knowing each other. And, when I was last looking for a job (2005) people were so generous with their time and introductions, I always want to pay it forward.
I routinely receive emails to the effect of:
Hey Sarah –
How’s it going? It’s been a while since we last spoke, and I’d love to reconnect.
I’m looking for a job and I was hoping you could keep your eyes and ears open for me for any [type of job] you hear about. I’d also appreciate introductions to people that you think would be good for me to connect with.”
Thanks, Name
There are three challenges with this:
- It takes people for granted (possibly) – If you haven’t been in touch with someone for, say, 10 years and this is the first they’re hearing from you, it might help to focus on re-establishing the relationship before you start asking for favors with introductions. Meaning, get on a call and catch up before making the ask.
- Lack of specificity – The note requires me to do the leg work of figuring out the job title, level, geographic location, industry, or any other information that would help my brain determine who I could introduce the person to. Based on this information alone, I have no idea what kind of role is suitable for them or what a good introduction would be.
- It’s less effective in getting people to help – I don’t know anyone (who isn’t retired) who isn’t running in a million directions and trying to track more tasks than is humanly possible. So if someone hears about an opening, the likelihood of them remembering that you told them six weeks ago you were on the market is questionable.
Here’s where we pull a lesson from Jerry McGuire:
Make it easy for people to help you and support your search efforts!
If you’re looking for a job and asking people to support you, minimally, offer them the following information:
- Level of role you’re looking for
- Sample job titles you’re interested in
- Specific industries you’re targeting
- Specific companies you’re interested in speaking with
- A couple of examples of work that is related to the role you seek
- Types of introductions you’re looking for (e.g. VPs of Talent Acquisition, Controllers, Engineering Managers, etc.)
- The link to your LinkedIn profile so people don’t have to hunt for it
- A copy of your resume
Alternatively, you can download a blank Networking Profile form here. Use this in conjunction with, or in lieu of your resume (depending on the networking situation.)
What’s the difference between the two?
Your resume is past tense. It speaks to the experience that’s behind you. Helpful. To a point.
The Networking Profile is future-focused. It tells people what you’re looking for in a new role, supported with a few bullets of relevant experience, and lists companies you’re targeting. Most importantly…
It gives people a call to action!
Because you have listed 40 companies of interest* you can then say to someone:
“These are the companies I’m targeting for my networking. I’d welcome an introduction if you have colleagues in any of these organizations.”
*Yes, you can and should list that many companies or more. Minimally, go for 20. You don’t need to want to work at all of them. You are networking. The goal is to meet as many people as possible and gather data about companies and industries as you do.
Before you end any networking conversation, ask how you can help the person you’ve been speaking with. It’s literally as easy as:
“I really appreciate your time today. Is there anything I could do to support you?”
Finally, if during the course of your networking, you find there’s an opportunity to introduce people in your network, please use the “double opt-in.” This means you have permission from both people to go ahead with the introductions before you fire off an email.
Doing so respects that not everyone has time for networking in the immediate present, and there are some instances where people will decline the invitation. My experience is that the majority of time, people say “yes” to an intro, but give them the option to do so vs. making an assumption that it’s ok to send someone their way.
Finally (no, really, this is definitely my last point), when you make the intro, provide some context for both parties. I usually say how I know each person and articulate why I am making the introduction. Most of the time I will also hyperlink their LinkedIn profiles to their names in the email to make it easier for them to find each other online.
And with that, my good people, I am hopping off the soapbox.
