How To Leverage Your Network And Get Others To Help You
Most everyone in the market is out doing all the networking they can. Sooner or later they will hear the saying, “Networking is about helping others.” or “Networking is giving before getting.” Both are true and critical to a successful networking process.
But what exactly does this mean? How do you implement this concept?
My experience has been that most are more than willing to help out when asked. Most will make introductions when asked. This is great, but there are other things one can do to give and help others. Even when not asked.
I think one of the best things you can do is share information. My partner Barry and I try to do this daily. We post articles so others can read them and benefit from our 30 plus years of experience. From time to time we will get an email thanking us. In fact, I received one today which was the catalyst for this article.
Here are other ways you can help others.
- How often do you forward articles you found helpful to your network?
- How often to you post the link to your Facebook page allowing all your friends to benefit?
- Do you post the discussion or forward the article to your Linkedin groups?
- Do you share it with your Linkedin connections?
- Do you Tweet and include the link so all of those following you can benefit?
- Do you make announcements at networking meetings about how you benefited from this article?
- Have you passed along YouTube videos that you found helpful?
Do you do this? Do you do it on a regular basis out of habit? Or like many, do you just read the article and never think about proactively helping others? If you benefited from it so will others. Just one right tip from you, one article reaching the right person at the right time, may help them land an interview or even a job.
Sharing information is just as important as sharing leads. I could make the argument that it’s more important. Leveraging your network by helping others, makes others want to help you. People generally want to repay those that have helped them.
It is also a tremendous way to keep in touch with people without bugging them. You are helping them and they will appreciate it. So stop worrying about bugging people in your network, instead start helping them by passing on helpful and informative information.
I would like to challenge you to not wait until people seek your help, instead be proactive. Send them information you find helpful so they can benefit. I bet you will start getting emails thanking you for helping.
What a great way to be branded as a ” giver.”
I think this is an excellent way to continue to engage your network and at the same time help others.
Isn’t that what true networking is about?
If this was helpful, then please help others by forwarding on to your network, posting on your Facebook page, Tweet with the link, post to your Linkedin groups or status update. Let’s all do everything we can to help those looking for employment.
For lots of articles and great discussions to start sharing, join our Linkedin Job Search Networking group. CLICK HERE to join.
Download our free sample cover letter that is proven to get results. If you like it, you can share it with others. CLICK HERE to download.
Build a compelling Linkedin profile to help you get noticed by recruiters and hiring managers. Our 8 Point Linkedin Profile Assessment Tool can help you. CLICK HERE to download yours. Then share it with others that don’t have a compelling profile.
Brad Remillard
Tags: Career Mistakes, Job Search Personal Branding Expert, Linkedin Job Search Expert, Mistakes Working with Recruiters, Networking Failure, Networking Mistakes, Networking Plan, Personal Branding, Personal Branding Techniques
Networking, On-line Social Networking, Personal Branding, Your Network Contacts | bradremillard December 7, 2009
About the Author
Brad Remillard is a founding Partner of IMPACT Hiring Solutions, co-author of "You're NOT the Person I Hired", and "This is NOT the Position I Accepted". Brad is an award-winning international speaker, retained executive recruiter, and expert on hiring and retaining top talent, and executive job search.
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By Dave Kinnear, December 13, 2009 @ 11:38 am
Brad,
This post is right on. The reason your suggestions make so much practical sense is that by helping others (through being aware of how what we see, do and read might be of use and sharing)we are demonstrating that we have their best interest at heart. We demonstrate that we are not totally focused on our own needs and situation. By freely sharing, we demonstrate that we are coming from an attitude of abundance rather than victimhood, self-interest and desperation.
The trick then, is to remain authentic and not fall back to the old habit of undoing the trust build by demonstrating having the other’s best interest at heart by expecting or asking for a quid-pro-quo. That is the most difficult part. Yet, if we go into the project of giving to others with an expectation of payback, then we will not be successful.
Thanks for a great post and reminder of what networking can and should be.
Dave Kinnear
http://execleadercoach.com