How My Network Saved Me October 15, 2009
Posted by robewanow in Job Search, Uncategorized.Tags: Managing Your Network Contacts, Networking Strategies, Personal Network Management Tools, Relationship Management
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I met with a person this week who wanted some job search advice. We met for about 45 minutes and I did my best to provide Steve with some sound advice over an early breakfast. On my way to the office my next blog post became quite clear to me. How my Network Saved Me.
How can a network save you? I believe I have the perfect example.
The first time I was laid off back in the late 90′s I had no network beyond those I worked with. Come to think of it networking as we now know it was not a “common practice” for most. Hence I needed to build from the ground up – a lot of work.
I then landed at Dawning Technologies but guess what, I stopped networking, so when the layoff bogeyman came around again I was in a somewhat better position but not much. It was at this point I made a promise, once I return to work I will continue to network. That was back in 2002.
I took a bit of a different approach to this. Instead of solely relying on events I decided to pro-actively reach out on a regular basis to those in my network. I created a database and started to send an email message to those in my database every 6-8 weeks. The message was about one page long and gave people an update on everything that had been going on in my life both personal and professional. Eventually the email morphed into a blog. The password protected part of this blog is where I continue this today, seven years later. I frequently get an email back from people thanking me for keeping in touch with some stating that even though they have not met my family they feel like they know them well because of my updates.
Guess what…my persistence paid off. As soon as I was laid off I sent a note to my contacts announcing my new found freedom and mentioned I would be contacting them. Many replied stating they would be willing to help in any way, and they did.
The fact that I kept in regular contact with people and nurtured the relationship gave me a huge advantage during my most recent search. I would guess people did not feel like I spoke with them once and then left, never to be seen again. I invested something in the relationship by continuing to communicate even when I did not need anything.
In short my network saved me. Yours can too!
Until next week….
Great post Rob and excellent advice! After being laid off in the spring I recently landed my current position because I kept in touch with folks I worked with two jobs ago. I’m keeping up the habit while employed by going out to lunch 1-2x weekly with folks from my network.
Glad to hear you also see the value of networking while employed and that you too realized its benefits in your most recent search.
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