Networking

Networking is the thing where you awkwardly stand around and make small talk with people you have nothing in common with, and try to avoid saying something cringe. Then, you inevitably say something cringe and spend the rest of the time regretting it. Why engage in this exercise? Is the point to make you regret that you ever tried to be a professional? Is the point to embarrass everyone? If neither of those things, then what is the point? 

Networking is when you send off awkward messages to people asking if they want to have a ‘coffee chat’ or a ‘catch up.’ You include these phrases to reinforce that it’s a casual conversation, and that you are easy breezy. If someone agrees to one of these conversations, you spend the time physically sweating because it feels so uncomfortable and awkward - either both of you speak at the same time, or neither of you speak, and both situations are brutal.

So why do we do this uncomfortable activity? Why engage in something that is so awful?

Because when a job comes open, it is always easier to fill it within your network than by opening to the general public. When your ideal position becomes available at your ideal job, you don’t want your resume to just be another one in the pile - you want your name to come to the mind of the recruiter, or the hiring manager, or someone related who can mention your interest. 

The other reason is to start to really think about what you want. You might have a job in mind that you really want - but you don’t want to find out 6 weeks into the job that you hate it. That’s why you should be talking to people in that job title now, to get some specifics on what the job entails. 

It’s also just good practice at interacting in the professional world. At work, you aren’t going to like everyone you work. You may not have much in common with your coworkers. But that doesn’t mean you don’t interact with them. In fact, recognizing the importance of networking once in your role is vital. So networking while on the job hunt is great practice for what you’re going to be expected to do once you are in a professional position. 

Swall your pride, remember that people want to help people, and use the Zen Career Coach’s Guide to LinkedIn Networking.

You got this!