Networking is one of the key ways to get into the hidden job market.
Since you’ve started using your networking scripts (get yours here), you know the point of your networking activity is to let people know that you’re in job search. And it’s to have them give you people that they think you should be talking to. Ideally, everyone you talk to will refer you to one, two, or three more people that they think you should be talking to.
So, how do you go about getting those referrals?
There are three things to do that will increase your success of having someone open up their network to you. In this message I’ll share the first way with you. The other two will be coming in the next two articles.
The first is to make sure that you are addressing the inner dialogue or the inner concerns that they have while they are talking to you. Don’t take that personally because they will be asking themselves these questions with everyone that they meet.
The questions are along the line of, “Is this person going to be someone I will be proud to have referred to a friend of mine?” Is this person going to cause my friend to come back in a few days saying, “What in the world did you send him to me for? That was the worst conversation I’ve ever had.”
You get the idea.
The reality is that when you are talking to someone, they are trying to evaluate and get a sense of how you will be treating their valued relationships.
So, address that inner dialogue by being specific, by listening, by starting to create a relationship, and by letting the other person know what are the reasons that you would like to talk to the kinds of people that are in their network.
They will feel confident about referring you to someone in their network because of your professionalism and preparation.
So pick someone to call, get your script out, and pickup the phone.
Let me know how it is going, and never hesitate to give me a call if you have any questions.
Wishing you a fast and fabulously successful conclusion to your search,
P. S. If you’re hoping networking is overrated, I can relate. So check out this real solution for finding jobs in the hidden job market for the reluctant networker.
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