Networking - How is your reputation?
Stuart Reeves
HR Professional & Certified Compensation Professional with CCP, CECP, and GPHR
You joined LinkedIn, you are getting connections and meeting people. You are interacting via groups, discussions boards and through comments to posts, but what you say and post creates a larger picture.
A story I like to share. A couple of months ago I was working on an executive leadership role and I sent out some targeted Inmails to only a handful of people that I felt could assist me in breaking into a new vertical and provide some advice on the matter. I sent a total of 12 Inmails to very seasoned professionals in that market asking for guidance on this particular position and if they perhaps knew of some people that would be interested in learning more. The targeted leaders are not the type that are looking for a job, actively or passively, they just understand the power of networking. Out of 12 Inmails sent I received 6 responses, 4 declines, and 2 no actions. It is one of the responses that drove home the power of networking. This particular gentleman accepted and replied to my Inmail by starting "Are you stupid or what?" My first thought was, it depends on the day, but seriously, I was floored. The message went on to say that he is not nor will he be looking for a job in the future that he was happy with his role. And to finish his message, I don't like recruiters, I don't use recruiters and I prefer not to speak with them, but here you are in my messages bugging me. Following this response I began following him on LinkedIn to get a sense of how he uses LinkedIn. A few days ago his profile popped up on a search so I took a quick look and to my amazement his tagline..."Looking for new opportunities, recently laid off". My first thought at this point, I wonder if you would speak to a recruiter now.
I am not using this example to advertise recruiters but rather for nothing more than to show the power of a negative reputation and the power of networking and a following that speaks to your reputation. I love to network, I am interested in learning about people, what they do as a profession, the types of projects they are involved in, and there interests and likes. We use LinkedIn to do just that Link to a network. Connections watch what we do and what we post and even the comments that we make, this is all our reputation and paints a small picture of who we are and what we stand for. It is important that we paint that picture for everyone and not let someone perception of us paint it.
Venture Partner at Beyond Earth Technologies | AI-XR Partnerships | Public Speaker | Featured in Forbes, Channel News Asia, Campaign Asia
6 年Beautiful example of how our online interactions are not far off from what we are as humans truly are. You are either a connector that makes the network stronger as a collective or the blade that tries to slice through one by one and in the end gets rusty, found in a van, down by the river.?
HR Manager at Animal Friends of the Valleys, Chair PIHRA Temecula Valley. Experienced in non-profit, animal welfare, military, logistics and financial industries. Certified HR Business Partner.
9 年That's a fine example of removing the Human from Human Resources. There is no call to act so unprofessionally. A simple decline would have sufficed. Now that opportunities are not as easy to come by in the job market, it is a best practice to network consistently, not just when the need arises. Once you start on the path of networking correctly, there's no turning back. In my view, a recruiter, talent acquisition specialist or hiring manager that takes the time to contact you, either by phone or LinkedIn, is sending you a clear message that you are relevant and needed. At the very least, be courteous and provide a reply. Better yet, network. You never know when you will be told by your current employer that "Your services will no longer be required."
Operational Excellence | Management
9 年What I can say is that Stuart lives we he is talking about. He has been kind to people that I have asked him to talk with. He has a sterling reputation with me.
Great example! Networking is wonderful if its done correctly. Thanks!
VP Human Resources | HR Tech, SaaS | Remote People Operations | Start-Up Advisor | People & Culture Strategist | Innovative HR Leader
9 年Excellent article and point Stuart Reeves, CIR! ??