OUR VIEW: Networking useless unless backed by skill

You have to network.”
    “It’s all who you know, not what you know,” or at least that’s what everyone tell you. The real secret is that networking does not work.
    Really, we should say that networking as understood by the general public doesn’t work. This may be the reason you are getting frustrated about potential employers not calling you back about the job that was “in the bag.”  Most people think that networking is about collecting business cards and making sure that someone “inside” knows their name. It may be more effective than walking into an interview cold, and different mindsets can ensure greater business success. Let’s pretend you actually are a good candidate for the job. In the name of “networking” you could “butter up” the representative in order to “get in” with the company, but professionals can see through your acting. Networking is not selfishness, but relates more to service.
    Too often in business, individuals seek their own interests without regard for the effect it will have on others. Unfortunately, this has carried over into our job prospecting and even our personal lives. If you often find yourself thinking about how you can benefit from the person you are talking to, you might want to rethink your strategy. In the words of Thomas J. Stanley, “Me, me, me is dull, dull, dull. It’s give, give, give before you ever receive.” Individuals who harbor a “me first” attitude find very few people willing to partner with them. The roots of networking lie in proof. As you show people or businesses that they are your main priority, they will choose to work with you. You must prove it to them.
    You may be the person for the job, packed with all the skills they need, but if you can’t validate those capabilities, you may find yourself puzzled as to why the phone just isn’t ringing. Companies gamble every time they make a hire. Prove to them beforehand that hiring you will make perfect sense. Asking for a job is merely a way to solve your problem. Seeking to help the company and solve their problems is a way that you can be a positive contributor. It always comes back around.
    So does networking really work? Yes it does, but only if done with the right intentions. Prove it by bringing new customers, not more liability. It is about who you know, but it is more about what you do for who you know.

Pats and Jabs
    A pat on the back to the graduating seniors and valedictorians.
    And a jab in the ribs to the Fieldhouse for taking student fees and then closing the facility for the summer.