Comments on: 5 Keys to Networking Success

By: Turning Around Your Financial Life | The Wisdom Journal

Turning Around Your Financial Life | The Wisdom Journal — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 07:15:58 +0000

[...] situation. Chris decided to go ahead and contact an old friend, later using this opportunity to network and find a better job. He and Lisa opened up to a trusted, well informed adviser. They stopped [...]

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By: 5 Keys to Career Networking — Lord of the Ping

5 Keys to Career Networking — Lord of the Ping — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 01:26:57 +0000

[...] The Wisdom Journal has a good post about 5 keys to networking success. We all know that most job offers come from who you know, not necessarily what you know. The personal recommendation will usually put your resume on top of the pile. Even if you are not looking for a job, never underestimate the power of a business network to find you a better opportunity. [...]

By: Ron

Ron — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 03:00:38 +0000

@Andy Wood
Neat idea!

Answer: Yes, there are shortcuts both ways. The best shortcut to getting someone’s attention is to ask a question about either something they like (sports, business, grandkids) or about their personal experience (how they started in business, how they met their spouse, how they managed to accomplish so much at a young age). Ask questions about THEM. People love to talk about themselves. Ask a question, them close your mouth and listen. Ask a lot of “why” questions: why did you choose banking, why did you choose this location for your plant, why did you choose your wife? What questions are almost as good: what makes a good manager, what do you look for in an up and comer, what factors do you consider when choosing to do an interview?

If you want to network with someone but keep having trouble getting through their gatekeeper, call at odd hours. Seven in the morning, six in the evening. Usually this person is a hard worker and will get to the office before the gatekeepers arrive. If they answer the phone, you’ve scored!

To turn them off, talk only about yourself, your interests, what you hope they can do for you. Talk about controversial topics and take a hard stance. Tell them that you “hate” something (Republicans, Democrats, those wacky Libertarians). Become an extremist, tolerating no other viewpoint to be expressed. In short, be a jerk.

What about YOUR experiences?

By: Andy Wood

Andy Wood — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 14:35:34 +0000

Here’s one networking idea that adds both “give” and “get” to the desired relationship: Ask intelligent, quality questions from someone who doesn’t mind sharing some of their wisdom.

Example: Ron, in your networking experience, do you find that there are shortcuts to getting people’s attention… OR shortcuts to turning them off?

By: Ron

Ron — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 04:20:06 +0000

@My Dollar Plan
Hey, that’s a great point. Having a mentor CAN go a long way to help you develop credibility and to give you introductions to the people you’d like to have in your network. Thanks for bringing that up.