Are you a bit shy and/or nervous about networking? Do you wish there was a formula to follow to make the whole process easier?
If yes, you are likely to find the guidance provided by the 20 Minute Networking Meeting book (affiliate link) by Marcia Ballinger and Nathan Perez helpful. There are four primary steps to the process: Greet and thank, 1 minute intro, discussion and follow-up.
Most importantly, due to the very thoughtful nature of this networking approach, you are likely to find yourself feeling comfortable reaching out to new folks!
Who needs, or wants to network? We all do!
Networking Helps You:
- Learn about changes in your area/industry (Critical information in today’s ever changing economy/job market)
- Find employment or consulting opportunities (Most people find their jobs through the friends of their friends’ friends!)
My own personal experience concurs with the effectiveness of networking vis a vis the job market. Every position I have held, be it in the marketing industry or my current social work consulting field, has come about thanks to the kindness of my connections (or their contacts). None of my positions resulted from responding to a help wanted post.
What Are the 4 Easy-to-Follow Networking Steps?
Step 1: Greet and Thank!
- Express gratitude to the person who was kind enough to take the time out of their busy schedule to meet with you
- Highlight how you know this person/a mutual connection – this helps create a better relationship
- State your agenda – say what you’re hoping to talk about
- For ex: I hope to mention a few of my career highlights and get your perspective on a few things that relate to my career plans/job transition etc.
Step 2: 1 Minute Intro
- Give a one minute overview of your background/experience
Step 3: Discussion
A. Ask 2-3 work related questions
- Conduct research on the person who you are meeting with and put together 2-3 questions related to that person’s work experience that would be helpful for you to find out more information about.
For ex: I noticed that you volunteered for several years at X association. Has this experience been valuable to you and would you suggest that I do so at this stage of my career?
B. Request a contact name
C. Ask how you may be of help and thank!
Step 4: Follow up!
- Send a thank you note or an email
- Keep in touch
While the above summarizes the key steps from the book, the book provides helpful examples and guidelines to prepare you for each of the above networking steps.
When I tried their approach, I found it helpful in preparing me to reach out to people because I no longer had to wonder what I was going to say. I had a specific agenda and I had found a relevant article to give the person I was networking with prior to our meeting.
All this preparation helped me feel not only more confident but also less of an imposition. The individuals with whom I employed this approach reacted favorably (particularly those with whom I hardly had a connection).
Looking for additional guidance? Read:
- Jackie Yun‘s Four Halloween Songs to “Boo”st Your Job Search to help conquer your networking fears.
- Jacqui Poindexter‘s How To Network Naturally for value-added ideas such as working with others on mutual problems.
- Hannah Morgan‘s 10 Ways to Nurture Your Network for creative methods to stay in touch with your contacts.
- The New Social Worker’s The Social Social Worker: 10 Tools for Successful Networking for personal branding thoughts such as developing an elevator speech.
- Social Work Helper’s Social workers need to be social networkers! for tips and questions on how to get to know people at conferences etc.
What are your thoughts about this approach? How helpful has networking been to your worklife?
Reference: Ballinger, M. & Perez, N. (2012). The 20-Minute networking meeting. Keystone Search Publications. MN.
Hello Dorlee,
What a meaty blog with specific, step-by-step guidance on how to prepare for and follow-up to networking meetings!
I also liked how you personalized it by showing how you modified the part about limiting expectations to a 20-minute conversation (based on your own results). This, to me, means, the person heeding this advice may make modest tweaks to adapt to their needs.
With that said, the solid outline of how to move ahead in these purposeful networking conversations is such a great resource for people uncomfortable with or unsure of how to approach networking.
The bottom line, networking give and take, and give some more. It’s also about respecting the parties with whom we are seeking advice/help/guidance/recommendations, etc.
(By the way, you, my friend, have mastered the ‘give’ part!)
As well, I love how you shared that virtually ALL of your career positions have resulted from your savvy in connecting this way (vs. help wanted ads).
Finally, thank you for the mention of my blog post on networking naturally. I really appreciate the shout out!
Warmly,
Jacqui
Hi Jacqui,
Thanks so much for your kind and thoughtful feedback!
In light of this being your area of expertise, I am most flattered that you feel the guidance from the 20-minute networking meeting book (as well as my slight adaptations) sounded on-track.
Thank you for also highlighting the give and take (as we’ll as the respecting of the other person’s time and effort) part of the networking recipe because that is key to the way one builds and maintains the relationship!
Aww, you are very kind. I shared that tidbit not to say or suggest that I have networking savvy but rather that very often the positions one finds are found “accidentally” vs. through official posts and thus it is key to be in contact with the people in your industry so that they may share with you openings when they hear about them etc.
It was my pleasure to share your creative post on networking. It was most fitting and I think illustrative of how naturally you network on and off the job! 🙂
Warmly,
Dorlee
Hi Dorlee,
Even in the writing of this blog post you’re networking – sharing resources and making introductions. Jacqui and Jackie are consummate “networthers” – I will check out your other recommendations.
Like so many things in life, it all boils down to the basics – the common-sense approach, which you so carefully share.
Although you didn’t say it in so many words, this approach shows great respect for the person with whom you’re networking – their time, as well as their knowledge.
So much of what one does in life is about networking – having a formula to fall back upon can help.
Thanks for sharing your experiences, as well.
Warmly,
Marianna
Hi Marianna,
Thanks so much for your thoughtful contributions and observations!
It hadn’t even occurred to me that I was networking as I had written this post, although now that you’ve pointed it out, I must concur. My thoughts or intentions had just been to share valuable information and resources.
The articles written about networking by Jacqui, Jackie, Hannah, the New Social Worker magazine and Social Work Helper each provide some value-added guidance that I felt would benefit the reader; hence, I highlighted them.
Your social media prowess is also illustrative of “networking in action!” You regularly share helpful resources, include shout-outs and make new connections between different readers ( for ex: http://auntiestress.com/2015/05/27/blog-shout-out-1/ ). Furthermore, you have been invited to attend various conferences (at which you continue to make connections). In fact, it is thanks to one of those conference invites that you and I had the good fortune of meeting face to face!
To more dancing and friendly connections!
Warmly,
Dorlee
Dear Dorlee,
I came across two quotes on networking I’d like to share with you:
‘Networking, the natural impulse to give to others without expecting an immediate return, and without giving away the store’.
Author unknown
‘Those who honour the community, and have its genuine interest at heart, will get noticed by, and connect with the right people’.
Author unknown
Warmest regards,
Ruth
Dear Ruth,
Thanks so much for stopping by to share these wonderful quotes.
I love them. They state so beautifully what to aspire for while networking – to give without expecting anything in return!
Warmly,
Dorlee