Archive for April, 2009

How I Got Out of My Selfish Head and Stopped Dreading Networking

Thursday, April 30th, 2009

Networking intimidates me (anyone else with me on this)? I don’t like to ask for help, or worse, favors (which makes writing this blog very interesting, as I’ve had to really put myself out there/ask for help in the last two weeks). So naturally, the idea of “traditional networking” makes me cringe…

Then I heard the new networking gospel from Traci, an HR exec and master connector (and an active job seeker right now).

For Traci, the heart of networking comes from one very simple place: Contribution. Every coffee meeting, every wine event, every opportunity, she asks, “What can I do for you”? For her, it’s not just about finding a job, it’s about extending her help, and expertise. And her contacts have taken her up on the offer—one contact called with HR questions; another contact’s son (a pilot) had just moved into the area and needed some career guidance. In exchange for her open spirit, she’s been privy to exclusive jobs that were never advertised to the public…

I like it—networking as a spiritual practice. Not selfish, but a way to give back in the best way you can, to give of yourself. It’s not a give and take, but rather the start of a relationship that can be nurtured, and taken care of.

“Typically people want to help if you’re in the spirit of helping others,” Traci says.

Instead of asking: What can I get out of this?, try on How can I add value here?

C’mon, just try it on.

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