How much time should I spend networking with those who are currently out of work?
Answers
Original Question: How much time should I spend networking with those who are currently out of work?
Response:
I'll answer this as you are in transition as well.
You want to spend the bulk of your networking with people who are on the “Roadmap to the Hiring Manager,” because they can help you move closer to the hiring manager.
When seeking contacts we will all fall into one of three categories: Connect, Learn and Influence.
Connect – Make introductions into a target company
Learn – Have relevant knowledge of the target company
Influence – Have a personal relationship with the Hiring Manager
A colleague in transition could fill all three roles. For the Learn category, they could be former employee or doing contract work.
Before you meet with a fellow colleague in transition, try to understand if you can help one another with connections into targeted companies. The best method is to figure this out is to share your mutual “
If a colleague cannot help you with connecting into targeted companies, I would limit these to 1-2 a week. The most productive action at these meetings is offering insight on each other’s pitch, how you overcame issues, etc.
The goal of these meetings is to simply help be more efficient and boost your collective psyches, so you can get more out of your search. Please see “5 Things You Can Do to Help Other Candidates” at http://candidateschair.com
For members who are employed, the same rules apply in setting expectations for where you can help them. I would recommend that in order to make time available, that you block off time (2-3 a month) on your calendar.
Hope this helps.
Mark