Why Should Anyone Network with Me?

By George Zeller

Many job seekers voice skepticism about networking. They often ask, "Why would anyone speak to me?" or, better yet, "Why would anyone take a time from his/her schedule to help me? " There are several possible answers to those questions:

1) People are naturally inclined to help; this impulse is instinctual. When you meet someone in need, often the first thing you want to do is to help out.

2) The person has been in your situation and wants to 'give back'. Because so many individuals have experienced unemployment in the past decade, chances are good that you will meet someone who not too long ago was looking for work and asking people for the same 15-30 minute network meeting. This person now has an opportunity to help others.

3) The motivation for seeing you could be self-serving. The person may see you as a potential networking resource in their future. Many individuals recognize that building a strong network is an on-going process, and they are always looking to add individuals to their own network.

4) Another reason for someone to meet with you is because you have something you can share (information, expertise, connections). If you have done a fair amount of networking, chances are that you have obtained valuable and current information about your field. You have more time to read those professional journals, articles and books.

5) If you are meeting with a manager, consider that it is part of his or her job; finding good talent is one of the main tasks of a manager. A manager cannot discover new talent without meeting with prospective employees. There may not be a position available now, but the manager may keep you in mind if something comes up in the future.

6) There may be a time when someone with whom you are meeting knows about an opening but does not disclose it to you. This is a tactic used to keep the meeting a little more casual; it is also a way to pre-screen you without the pressure of a job interview.

7) Lastly, a person may be impressed with the way you introduced yourself and how you presented your background. This person may agree to meet you because you sparked his/her interest! There are probably more reasons, but hopefully these are enough to inspire you to go ahead and either begin networking or grow your existing network. People do have a reason to meet with you and as a local outplacement pioneer, Jack Erdlen, used to say, "You are either networking or not working."

George Zeller is the Senior Employment Specialist at Jewish Vocational Service's Career Moves where he serves professional job seekers with coaching, resume development / critique, networking leads, presentation/interviewing techniques, workshops, job leads, job-matching and outplacement services . Jewish Vocational Service, a non-sectarian agency has over 65 years' experience helping job-seekers in greater Boston to find jobs and build careers. Career Moves staff work with hundreds of professional job seekers each year and offers top quality job search and career counseling services at an affordable price. George has been with JVS for 20 years and is well known and respected for his skill, advice and support. He is a frequent contributor to Bostonworks in the Sunday Boston Globe and guest on various radio programs. George has a Master's Degree in Counseling and is a Certified Professional Resume Writer. George is a past president of the Association of Career Professionals International. To learn more about Career Moves at JVS visit www.jvsjobs.org or call 617-451-8147 .