I've rearranged my career recently mostly through networking, but I'm still busy reading through all the stuff I meant to read while relatively unemployed. I'm almost done reading up everything I got on networking, especially as it relates to jobhunting. I've reached the point of diminishing return in terms of reading - I've promised myself to no longer read networking books, but rather to spend that time doing real-world networking. I'm hoping to develop a system whereby any person with vocal cords and high school education can develop a network.
I've already discussed the John Davies system of networking here and the Simon Black system here.
I will now discuss a system of networking presented in a very popular jobhunting manual. Robert Bolles' book 'What color is your parachute?' has an extremely basic, 'elderly opener' networking system that has been adapted from systems developed by John Crystal and Daniel Porot. It is referred to as the 'PIE method'.
It is more of a interviewing system, with the idea that it eventually gives you the social skills needed to win a job interview. It is a very easy system, which basically asks only that you identify an interest, and arrange an interview with someone regarding that interest. The PIE method therefore only covers what I consider the hardest part of network - the approach - with a very laid back elderly opener-style invitation to an interview.
The PIE method divides approaching into 3 categories:
P - Approaching for Pleasure or Practice
I - Approaching for Information or an Introduction
E - Approaching for Employment
If you have no social skills or you are extremely introverted, it is suggested by the author that you first approach people for Practice/pleasure. This is how it's done:
- Choose a topic, anything, that is a pleasure for you to talk about with family/friends
- Since this is for practice/pleasure, avoid anything related to your career goals.
- Consider hobbies, leisure time enthusiasms, long-time curiosity, an aspect of where you live, an issue you feel strongly about
- This topic should be something that although you have enthusiasm for, you should have some gaping hole in your knowledge regarding the topic
- Now find someone you've never met how may know something about the topic
- Contact that person and ask for ten minutes only of their time to ask some questions. If you're rejected, find someone else. If they accept, stick to ten minutes only.
- Ask them questions about the topic
- Towards the end of the interview, ask 'Who else would you suggest I go talk to who shares this interest?' Get a list of referrals.
- Ask if the person would be willing to give a quick call to just one referral just to mention that you will be calling to arrange an interview.
P-Interviewing summarised in a flow chart:
Next is interview networking for a specific goal. Maybe you want information about job opportunities, or you're planning to start a business and need more info before you commit.
- Define who you are, what information you need, what company you want an introduction to
- If you're looking for information: Send an introductory note along the lines of, 'I'm in need of more information about xxx, than I've been able to find out so far. I'm told you could be really helpful to me. I'm wondering if you could spare eighteen minutes of your time this week or next, for me to come over and ask you these questions I have about xxx. I'm not looking for a job at the moment, I'm just trying to find information at present. Could I make a brief appointment with you? I'm very good at observing time limits. I only need eighteen minutes, but I'd like to be present in person rather than just over the phone or emails. Thanks very much for your courtesy.'
- Even if you are looking for a job, do NOT use this method to ask for one directly. You are merely collecting information, have some questions handy to make you seem legit. Play it indirectly.
- If you're specifically looking for an introduction with the aim of getting into a company, then send an introductory note along the lines of, 'You and I (here mention something you two have in common). And I'm told that you know the people at (target company/organisation). Do you think we could meet for coffee or something, as I have a few matters I need your advice on. I'll stick strictly to our time limit. I only need twenty minutes. Thanks for your courtesy, if you can do this for me; I'll really appreciate it."
- If your target responds positively, then prepare your questions, dress well, arrive early, but appear on their doorstep only at the appointed time, relax
- If you are specifically trying to find information to start your own business, you need to find out what skills,knowledge, experience it takes to make the business work
- First, write out in as much detail about the business you wish to engage in
- Identify similar business in towns or cities 50 miles away; identify at least 3 businesses in each town. You don't want to talk to the business owners in your own area, as the local business will not want to talk to a potential competitor
- Arrange to drive out to meet the owners of the businesses
- When you talk to them, you explain that you're exploring the possibility of opening your own business.
- Then ask what skills, knowledge, experience are necessary to make such a business a success.
- Once you've had 3 useful interviews (out of many), you can then compare what you've learnt to what you have. This will allow you to plan ahead for any potential deficits in your skills, knowledge and experience, should you choose to go ahead with your business idea.
Here's a flow diagram for I-networking:
The last method of networking is by attending employment interviews. Outside from the obvious (getting a job and then networking in your workplace), employment interviews should also be seen as opportunities to network.
- Always send a thank you note
- If you don't get the job, let them know you are still interested in any openings in the future
- Get feedback. Say, 'You know, I've been to several interviews at several different places, and I keep getting turned down. From what you noticed, is there something about me that caused me not to get hired at those places? I'd really appreciate your giving me some pointers so that I can do better in future interviews.'
- Don't take criticism personally, no matter how painful
- Try to sneak in a request for an introduction to someone who may be useful to know for someone in your situation
In my next post on networking I'm going to list all the best resources I've found on networking and jobhunting, basically a novice's self-study curriculum for networking. Because if you think a well-written resume is going to get you a job, you're doing it wrong.
I've already discussed the John Davies system of networking here and the Simon Black system here.
I will now discuss a system of networking presented in a very popular jobhunting manual. Robert Bolles' book 'What color is your parachute?' has an extremely basic, 'elderly opener' networking system that has been adapted from systems developed by John Crystal and Daniel Porot. It is referred to as the 'PIE method'.
It is more of a interviewing system, with the idea that it eventually gives you the social skills needed to win a job interview. It is a very easy system, which basically asks only that you identify an interest, and arrange an interview with someone regarding that interest. The PIE method therefore only covers what I consider the hardest part of network - the approach - with a very laid back elderly opener-style invitation to an interview.
The PIE method divides approaching into 3 categories:
P - Approaching for Pleasure or Practice
I - Approaching for Information or an Introduction
E - Approaching for Employment
If you have no social skills or you are extremely introverted, it is suggested by the author that you first approach people for Practice/pleasure. This is how it's done:
- Choose a topic, anything, that is a pleasure for you to talk about with family/friends
- Since this is for practice/pleasure, avoid anything related to your career goals.
- Consider hobbies, leisure time enthusiasms, long-time curiosity, an aspect of where you live, an issue you feel strongly about
- This topic should be something that although you have enthusiasm for, you should have some gaping hole in your knowledge regarding the topic
- Now find someone you've never met how may know something about the topic
- Contact that person and ask for ten minutes only of their time to ask some questions. If you're rejected, find someone else. If they accept, stick to ten minutes only.
- Ask them questions about the topic
- Towards the end of the interview, ask 'Who else would you suggest I go talk to who shares this interest?' Get a list of referrals.
- Ask if the person would be willing to give a quick call to just one referral just to mention that you will be calling to arrange an interview.
P-Interviewing summarised in a flow chart:
Next is interview networking for a specific goal. Maybe you want information about job opportunities, or you're planning to start a business and need more info before you commit.
- Define who you are, what information you need, what company you want an introduction to
- If you're looking for information: Send an introductory note along the lines of, 'I'm in need of more information about xxx, than I've been able to find out so far. I'm told you could be really helpful to me. I'm wondering if you could spare eighteen minutes of your time this week or next, for me to come over and ask you these questions I have about xxx. I'm not looking for a job at the moment, I'm just trying to find information at present. Could I make a brief appointment with you? I'm very good at observing time limits. I only need eighteen minutes, but I'd like to be present in person rather than just over the phone or emails. Thanks very much for your courtesy.'
- Even if you are looking for a job, do NOT use this method to ask for one directly. You are merely collecting information, have some questions handy to make you seem legit. Play it indirectly.
- If you're specifically looking for an introduction with the aim of getting into a company, then send an introductory note along the lines of, 'You and I (here mention something you two have in common). And I'm told that you know the people at (target company/organisation). Do you think we could meet for coffee or something, as I have a few matters I need your advice on. I'll stick strictly to our time limit. I only need twenty minutes. Thanks for your courtesy, if you can do this for me; I'll really appreciate it."
- If your target responds positively, then prepare your questions, dress well, arrive early, but appear on their doorstep only at the appointed time, relax
- If you are specifically trying to find information to start your own business, you need to find out what skills,knowledge, experience it takes to make the business work
- First, write out in as much detail about the business you wish to engage in
- Identify similar business in towns or cities 50 miles away; identify at least 3 businesses in each town. You don't want to talk to the business owners in your own area, as the local business will not want to talk to a potential competitor
- Arrange to drive out to meet the owners of the businesses
- When you talk to them, you explain that you're exploring the possibility of opening your own business.
- Then ask what skills, knowledge, experience are necessary to make such a business a success.
- Once you've had 3 useful interviews (out of many), you can then compare what you've learnt to what you have. This will allow you to plan ahead for any potential deficits in your skills, knowledge and experience, should you choose to go ahead with your business idea.
Here's a flow diagram for I-networking:
The last method of networking is by attending employment interviews. Outside from the obvious (getting a job and then networking in your workplace), employment interviews should also be seen as opportunities to network.
- Always send a thank you note
- If you don't get the job, let them know you are still interested in any openings in the future
- Get feedback. Say, 'You know, I've been to several interviews at several different places, and I keep getting turned down. From what you noticed, is there something about me that caused me not to get hired at those places? I'd really appreciate your giving me some pointers so that I can do better in future interviews.'
- Don't take criticism personally, no matter how painful
- Try to sneak in a request for an introduction to someone who may be useful to know for someone in your situation
In my next post on networking I'm going to list all the best resources I've found on networking and jobhunting, basically a novice's self-study curriculum for networking. Because if you think a well-written resume is going to get you a job, you're doing it wrong.