Are You Prepared to Do What It Takes?

When it comes to career networking, there's a crucial rule of friendship—don't waste your time trying to build or sustain a relationship if there's no mutual interest. This principle is vital to successful networking.

Friendships and professional relationships are not one-sided. They require a mutual investment of time and energy. This two-way thoroughfare is the key to their evolution and success. ?

With a career that has spanned 27 years, from cultivating sources as a crime writer and investigative journalist to leading the development of the nation’s second-largest network of rural and community hospitals, and building two successful executive search consultancies.? I have been an ardent believer in networking. This extensive experience has led me to conclude that in today’s market, ensuring your network remains relevant and productive is a career imperative.

For many, networking, weeding, and feeding the garden sounds like the worst kind of drudgery.?

I call it “weeding and feeding the garden.” Without this attention, an investment of your valuable time, your network will not produce the career nourishment you will need in a job market soon to be dominated, at least on the front end of the recruitment process, by nameless machines with AI-enhanced algorithms that will make the initial choices for which applicants are and are not included for further consideration. ?

For many, networking, weeding, and feeding the garden sounds like the worst kind of drudgery.?

My response:? It does not have to be unless you allow your fears of rejection to get in the way.? Yes, fear of rejection.? Your excuses can be called many things — lack of free time, a full schedule at the office, the erroneous belief that your track record should be enough for career advancement, or a fear of being seen as absorbed with your selfish interests. Still, across 27 years of conducting searches in the US and six different countries, I found that almost every excuse of this type can be traced to fear of rejection.?

Also at play is the idea of transference, the concept that people will transfer their fears and anxieties to someone else;? if I do not like networking, others probably will not like it and will be offended if approached.

Ok, let’s assume that is true in some cases. If targeted connections do not respond to your overture within a reasonable period, weed the garden and replant. What are you afraid of?? Bodily harm or public humiliation at the next annual industry meeting?

Ok, let’s assume that is true in some cases. If targeted connections do not respond to your overture within a reasonable period, weed the garden and replant. What are you afraid of?? Bodily harm or public humiliation at the next annual industry meeting?

What goal you want to achieve in life is not as important as what you are prepared to do to reach that goal.?

That moment of clarity comes from Nick Sabin, arguably one of the best college football coaches in modern history. He set a high standard for performance, which yielded impressive results.

The best answer, the best response for those times or situations when you are stuck with your career advancement or in a job search, is to find someone who will teach, inspire, motivate, and encourage you. What you can accomplish with a clear goal, a plan, a commitment, and someone to guide and cheer you on is amazing.

How lucky can one be when that is your mission in life?

To learn how you can elevate your career through more effective networking, schedule a no-obligation call with John.

As the economy slows, do not get caught off guard. John's newest eBook, Networking 3.0, is now available for download.

www.JohnGSelf.Com

Coaching that teaches, inspires, motivates, and encourages