Networking isn’t just job searching. Networking is for your life. I network for my business, but I also network for my clients. My network contacts provide great resources for me to learn from and from which clients can build their own networks. I truly enjoy sharing the resources available to me with the people in my network.

There are so many ways to learn how to create a great network. If a person’s network isn’t working, as many of you said in your comments, it’s because you don’t know how. So learn! Your network may not be working because the network isn’t in place and/or you aren’t isn’t supporting and contributing to it.

Keep in mind that a network involves “give” and take—the operative word being “give.” Networking is a shared experience, not a “what’s-in-it-for-me” experience.

Also, it’s not just building a list of names. It’s quality vs. quantity. You build a network with people with whom you have developed positive relationships. If you’re network is working for you, then shift your thinking.

Think quality vs. quantity. Choose to network with people and organizations with whom you can build quality relationships.

Think about giving vs. getting. Whether or not you’re looking for a job or in need, you still have information, kindness, and qualities to offer. So offer them!

Start your network now, before you need it. Get to know people who are doing interesting things. Build mutuality among the people you admire and respect.

Learn, grow, and expand from their knowledge and share your own. Make it work! It’s a process–not a magic remedy for getting what you want.

I would like to concur with many of the others that have replied to this post. I DO believe in the power of networking, and that is can and will work. The problem, as with all relationships, is that the only way a network will help is if it is nurtured and strengthened over time. Expecting to be able to meet someone one day and have them refer you to a position the next is a nice thought, but unrealistic.

So also unrealistic is Mark’s statement of “going direct”. The problem with this belief is that it means you must know the contact/hiring manager at each location, know how best to get them to look at your information, and then do it over again thousands of times. I have never been impressed by any system that sends out a scattershot expecting responses. If they are not targeted, if there is no connection to help make the contact, and if there is no relationship with the hiring manager then you may be wasting your time.

I think the reality of any job hunt is this: as with any other business, diversity is the key. Is it good to base all your work on networking and building your base of collegues, irresepective of any other avenue? Absolutely not. Should networking, along with some direct contact, job board searches, and other methods of activity be the plan? I think absolutely yes.

Will networking work? If it doesn’t, millions of people are wasting numerous hours on social networking sites each and every day. If it does work, and I think there is evidence that it does, then the proof will also be in those same networking sites and the prople who support them.

Barry

I’m a little late to the party, but I thought I’d throw in my two cents:

According to Irrefutable Law of Unemployment #2: “It’s better to have a network in place before you need it than trying to build one when you do.” This meshes well with the 90 day statistic. It also blends well with the assertion that most networking efforts seem superficial.

The fact is, most network only when they need a network already in place. Most of us have made that mistake. Unfortunately, many repeat that mistake again and again. Trying to build a network when you actually need to leverage it causes desperation and an air of the superficial.

That’s why you, me, and the rest of the job search experts in the blogosphere stress that networking is an on-going process. It shouldn’t begin when you get a pink slip, nor should it end on your first day at the new job.

For those reasons, I agree that short-term networking does not work. Networking usually needs a longer tail, but given time turns up more qualified leads and targeted interviews than other methods.

- Mike

Networking is about relationships. If your networking is about trying to win a job, you are less likely to succeed.

Finding a job is not about who you know, but who you can get to know and how much they care about you.

I’d be really interested in learning updated stats on networking and job seeking. In my estimation, online opportunities to connect are moving us more and more to a relationship-based environment. It is hard to believe that networking doesn’t contribute to MORE successful job searches rather than less.

Miriam Salpeter
Keppie Careers
http://www.keppiecareers.wordpress.com

I tried the “give more than you take”, demonstrate your value at a volunteer position, always try to help the other person routine and it not only got me nowhere, it sucked me dry. People took advantage or for granted mostly. In some cases they were so timid and unsure of themselves they wouldn’t even know how to 1. introduce me 2. relay a message 3. make an inquiry. If you have good networkers in your network it can work (that’s why it’s more important what University you went to then what you studied) but if you have the average Joes and Janes (who don’t know how to network) as your 1st level contacts then networking is more hype than help.

If like me, you have a few bloodsuckers in your network, you find yourself used and abused.

Mark makes it clear on his website and in his comment that these stats are in a 90 day period… so sure, maybe more people will be more successful in more than a 90 day period, but his point is that if you are going from zero-to-job in 90 days, the numbers apply.

Why “Networking Doesn’t Work”

If you keep your eyes open, you’ll never stop being amazed.

Jason Alba of JibberJobber.com quoted stats generated by JobBait (a resume mass mailing company) claiming (tongue-in-cheek) that “Networking Doesn’t Work”. But Mark Hovind’s (JobBait’s president) numbers also claimed that mass mailing 3,500 pieces of junk mail works 85% of the time for executive and managerial jobs. Maybe these stats were from the good-old 1970’s.

It made me laugh, because the statement is just so blatantly wrong. Networking is a very effective way for subject matter experts to find the best jobs – that goes for face-to-face and online networking.

Of course networking doesn’t work if a job seeker under utilizes networking opportunities.

At their well attended event last night in Chicago, I asked the three founders of Networking for a Cause, Mark Carter, Becky Brett, and Justin Roy how people misuse networking opportunities.

Networking Coach, Founder and CRO Mark Carter offered “Networking is connecting others who will help you also; not just trying to sell everyone you meet.”

Justin added “Often, people blow it by being too selfish and self serving in their introduction.”

Becky commented “People self destruct during networking when they focus too much on themselves and not enough on the other person. How many times do we have to say, ‘it’s not about you! It’s about what the other person needs.’ ”

Networking isn’t just gathering business cards. Networking isn’t passing out resumes or asking everyone in the room or in your LinkedIN network for job leads. Because that isn’t networking, nor is it effective.

Effective networking is helping others…first. Because a pile of business cards won’t help you much. Personal fans will.

Networking for a Cause’s event invitation suggested that attendees ask other networkers what TWO things (or people) they need in the next 30-60 days. These could be connections, resources, information that are relevant to achieving a solid result soon. What are two problems are they facing? Who can help solve them?

Great advice! An effective networking contact for me, is someone with a problem that I can solve, or recommend someone to solve. If I’ve provided value first, without asking for anything in return, I’ve recruited a personal fan.

Personal fans help, because you’ve established a relationship with a personal fan. A personal fan wants to help, and depending what help you first provided…may even feel that they “owe” you.

Sending your resume or a letter to a LinkedIN database, passing it out at a networking event, or snail mailing it to 3,500 people is just junk mail.

What do YOU do with junk mail?

If you’d like more information, a free 30 minute resume consultation, or some advice about your career transition, just email your resume to reCareered at phil.rainmakers@gmail.com, and we’ll schedule a time to talk.

http://recareered.blogspot.com/2008/04/why-networking-doesnt-work.html

Phil Rosenberg
President, reCareered & Rainmakers Global
Email: phil.rainmakers@gmail.com
Blog: http://reCareered.blogspot.com

-m-

However, I do strongly believe my next gig will be developed through networking. Not because I have expanded my networking, but rather because the strength of my network (relationships) has increased.

Robert Stanke
http://www.robertstanke.com