CRINGE NETWORKING

Does it benefit or hinder your career progression?

Building real connections to grow your career is more sophisticated and nuanced than those cringe activities these Career Coaching streets are encouraging you to carry out. Spamming recruiters and hiring managers with badly written templates begging for a referral may not be having the impact you think it is having. In fact many professionals complain that they never get a response. This may be the current trend but is it really a great way to position yourself as the person Hiring Managers need to call?

Just imagine being on the receiving end of all those icky emails and calls. It is akin to receiving annoying junk mail and cold calls every time you open an email or answer your phone. Contemplation of even attempting to pursue this type of endeavour feels grossly uncomfortable. One could say needs must if you want to progress your career. Chin up, push the boundaries, step out of your comfort zone. I suspect the gut wrenching discomfort is because you know it does not sit well in your spirit and is not in alignment with who you truly are.

Networking is a mutually beneficial endeavour

Effective Networking in the true sense of the word is about:

Building real relationships Taking interest in people, and participating in activities linked to the wider picture periphery of your industry. Positioning yourself as the go-to subject matter expert by word and in deed (Pun intended)

This to me feels more congruent with learning, growing, building confidence and establishing a personal brand that will be spoken about when you are not in the room. Recommendations that will present in these circumstances will be more aligned to the value you add and lets not forget, the remuneration you expect. This to me is Networking in the true sense of the word.

As an introvert I will never be involved in cringe activities. Neither will I ever encourage anyone to do so. Does this mean I stayed as some sort of recluse %:O) rocking back and forth behind my lap top. LOL, most certainly not. This is what introversion is misconstrued to be yet not what it is all about.

Introversion is your Super Power!

I realised early on in my career is that your network is all around you both in person and online. They are the people you interact with everyday both in work and out. They are the people you converse with online and of course we all know that people are always watching.

Imagine going to an event and coming home with a speaking gig, or going to hire a care for an event and being offered a lucrative employability training contract. Imagine having a conversation with someone in the DM and being invited to be a guest speaker on a national radio station. Yes all of this happened to me, and much more. Not one iota of cringe activities involved.

Did I have to push myself out of my comfort zone to expand my network? Yes of course. I went to industry events. I acted as advocate for others who were in distress, gave employment support & benefit advice and guidance. I volunteered to deliver community events (loved this aspect) I even accepted speaking gigs which were way out of my personal comfort zone.

True networking is about building meaningful relationships not cringe sleazy sales tactics

Stop allowing people to bully you into following the PIED PIPER. It is not necessary, unhelpful, jarring and does not sit well with you. You will be uncomfortable and come across as being disingenuous.

Opportunities present when you step into your 'Personal Power'

There are a myriad of ways you can expand your network that are aligned with your true and authentic self. Step into them. You will find the opportunities that flow from these interactions will eloquently elevate your career.

Whatever you decide, please ensure you back everything up with a solid foundation of knowledge, skills, expertise and have the systems in place to take immediate action when the opportunities present themselves to you. Because they will %:o)

Your network is your 'Net Worth!'

Your next opportunity is on the horizon. Drop me a DM for assistance to bring it into focus #careers #networking

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

• PATRICIA MCLEOD - Career Coach - CV Writer - Author of : Decoding the Applicant Tracking system for professional job seekers

I help diverse introverted professionals land opportunities, promotions and career moves in 30 - 90 days without cringe networking.

?

Drop me a DM if this is something you or someone you know is ready to make their next career move.

?

Get Ready to Get Hired - slots available. Limited places

?

Alternatively visit my website: https://risempowerment.org.uk

• DIY and Done for you CV support, templates and products.

?Free CV Accelerator and Template can be accessed here: https://linktr.ee/careercode101

?I look forward to working with you!

Kind regards Patricia