Stupid Networking Tricks

Every career counselor gives the advice that networking is the best way find a new job. In the parallel world of recruiting, networking is also the key to locate candidates for hire. I have engaged in debates on both sides of this divide with the intent of promoting a real dialog between parties with mutual interests in order to form a contract of benefit to both sides. In a perfect world, networkers on both sides meet each other in the middle and the focal point of this meeting is where communication happens. It does not always result in agreement, but there is no hope of forming any kind of consensus without communicating. The order of preference would be face-to-face, talking, or writing before employing the use of devices, machinery, or electronics to do it for us.

For job seekers there is no substitute for networking even though other methodologies should also be used simultaneously. Anybody that would advise to network alone could be called stupid, but they are probably just a little naïve. There is no relationship between personality type and the ability to use networking effectively. Introverts and extraverts are equally likely to have something to say to an employer and the non-stupid employers should know this. Networking is statistically sound as a job search tool as proved by many surveys. Other tools may be paired with networking to produce greater results. Using social media to connect with people often is just an introduction for a one-on-one conversation that gets things done. Employing online tools without ever connecting is not the smartest way to communicate. If you act like a robot, expect robotic replies.  

Recruiters should be master networkers, but many leave it up to passive data collection to hint at possible next moves. Robotically going through the motions is most definitely stupid. I recently received an email addressed to me personally with “Our review of your records show that you are an experienced professional with experience in Director Med/Surg – Ortho/Spine Unit. This experience is relevant to one of my current hot openings.” Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto, but I do not have a masters degree in nursing much less certified in the State of Colorado. This appears to be from a totally non-savvy recruiter that should be re-introduced to the telephone, but on checking him out it appears that he may not be a recruiter. This has all the signs of a recruiter wannabe like many out-of-work HR generalists trying to make a buck the easy way. Hint: It’s not easy!

Maybe it is a little harsh to call non-networkers stupid. Most non-thinkers are not stupid at all, but refuse to dirty their hands with the hard work of reaching out to real people. We seem to have retrained our culture to always look for the easy way when the old way of interpersonal communication always worked. Technology is not better. In fact, technology often doesn’t correct mistakes. It does allow us to make the same mistakes faster.

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