Networking: Opposites Can Attract

Dispense with typical networking and look at three ways you can make connections more effectively -- and get hired faster -- by doing the opposite.

By Kevin Donlin, Star Tribune Sales and Marketing

Last update: August 25, 2009 - 11:54 AM

One of the Guerrilla Job Search maxims I live by is this: When in doubt, do the opposite.

Because, if most job hunters are suffering, why do what most job hunters are doing?

Example: If most job seekers are emailing their resumes and not getting called for interviews, why not try the opposite? The opposite of impersonal email (in my head) is personal hand delivery.

Or this: If most job seekers apply only for advertised jobs and flounder for months, why not go after unadvertised jobs? And the best way to do that is networking.

Now, as you know, typical networking is about as much fun as typical tax preparation.

So let's dispense with typical networking and look at three ways you can make connections more effectively -- and get hired faster -- by doing the opposite...

1) Don't Ask for a Job
Instead, try asking for advice. This is especially true when networking with people you already have a valuable connection with, your fellow alumni.

"Too many out-of-work university alumni are desperate. This is quite understandable. But desperation can work against you," says Dr. Barry Miller, Career Services Director at Pace University.

Asking people you barely know for job leads will only drive them away. You're stampeding a sensitive topic without first laying the groundwork, like walking into a restaurant and shouting, "Hands up -- who wants to marry me?"

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