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Getting Feedback: Let’s Hear What our Network has to Say

January 21, 2009 | Author: Jessica Howard | Filed under: The Networking Habit

It’s great to get feedback. Not only because it validates what we’re doing, but also because it gets a dialogue going. In careers and life, we can all learn from that.

Since we released the findings of our study on networking and career advancement, which focused on the networking habits and attitudes of professionals, it’s been enlightening to hear people’s comments. And dig into whether they’ve had experiences that echo or challenge UpMo’s findings.

Liz Lynch, author of the recent book Smart Networking, wrote a post saying: “I am practically jumping out of my chair and doing cartwheels in my office over this timely new study … which supports so many of the principles I wrote about in Smart Networking.”

Commenting on the study finding that 27 percent of respondents network only when there is an immediate need, such as job search, Liz writes:

“Networking that infrequently means you never build the skill to really make networking work when you do try to do it. You waste time, reinvent the wheel, and sometimes burn bridges unintentionally. This makes you have to work even harder the next time.
Think of the constant training that athletes go through for 50 seconds in the pool, 4 minutes on the balance beam, or 2 hours on the marathon course. They don’t just show up on the day of the event, hoping for the best. They do everything they can to prepare for it.”

Given the potential of networking to accelerate and generate opportunities, it’s a smart investment - particularly in today’s economy. The elite professionals we interviewed in the study reported spending more time on networking, and seeing a correlation between it and earning potential. Alison Doyle, who writes about job searching for About.com, shared an anecdote that illustrates the value of developing mutually beneficial relationships and staying in contact.

“I connected with Jason Alba, CEO of JibberJobber, online a few years ago.  He wrote a guest article for the About.com Job Search site and we’ve stayed in touched on a regular basis. That relationship led to a referral to Jason’s publisher and my latest book, Internet Your Way to a New Job.
“My LinkedIn connections have been more valuable than I can itemize. I’ve been on the radio, mentioned in the media (online and print), and I’ve connected with many valuable contacts in the world of jobs and careers. That’s helped me immensely to promote the About.com Job Searching site and the resources it provides to job seekers and career changers.”

Speaking of LinkedIn, it was by far the most popular online network management tool among study respondents. But, as blogger Mike Lally underlines, you can’t just gather contacts and call it networking.

“Network LEGITIMATELY. The key here is to BUILD RELATIONSHIPS. Build connections. MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS. Having 1000 contacts on linkedin is MEANINGLESS if you can’t DO anything with them.”

There’s a reluctance to network because people see it as “a waste of time or evil (hand out business cards and only ask for jobs),” said Cube Rules writer Scot Herrick in an interview. When we asked our study participants, the majority said yes to the idea that a graduate-level course in networking would be invaluable to young professionals.

One of the obstacles to that would be selling students on the idea, says Shawn Graham, author of Courting Your Career, and Director of MBA Career Services at the University of Pittsburgh.

“One of the difficult things about adding career-related content to the curriculum at colleges and universities is convincing students of the value of the course. Unfortunately, many of the students who would benefit from the skill-building don’t perceive they need to do so.

“In my experience, I’ve found most job seekers shut down at the very mention of networking as it’s likely one of the most overused job search terms. However, that doesn’t lessen its importance.”

Perhaps, with the explosion of social networking, some younger professionals are warming up to the idea. Younger professionals like Seth Travis, who blogs at Newly Corporate and XYZ For Success.

“Networking does not just happen at a Gala Ball for the company, it happens daily when you strike up a conversation about the Steelers going to the Super Bowl. It happens when your ride up the elevator with the CEO. Each young professional should be encouraged by all these opportunities and manage some “face time” with the leaders at your business. The best thing you can do to be prepared for a one-on-one encounter is to have an elevator speech ready - a 30-second update on what your are working on and how it is valuable to the business.”

(But, Seth, do you feel strongly about it?) When asked if he thinks his peers are leveraging online networking tools for their careers, Seth said:

“I think social networking sites are helping guide all of our generation to the same professional place.  If you read the blogs and interact on facebook etc., you are constantly keeping up with the latest books, ideas, and movements.  Many news stations have said that it was the technology, the social networking, and the cutting-edge style of the Internet that launched Obama’s successful election. First, I agree, and second, what young professional would ignore this hugely successful model of branding yourself online? I think courses will have to be taught on social networking to standardize this unique and powerful tool.”

Any takers?

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 21st, 2009 and is filed under The Networking Habit. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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1 person has left a comment

Jessica! Thanks for the quote! I totally agree with you…you MUST get past handing out business cards and asking for a job. You have to figure out how you can HELP your network. How are you adding value? That is the critical question. Cheers!

Mike Lally wrote on January 27, 2009 - 10:18 am | Visit Link

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