In the typical quest to expand one’s network, we usually attend numerous cocktail hours, seminars, career fair-like events, and other organized settings to meet people to which we have no pre-existing connections.
It may seem as though “this is just the way it’s done,” but, believe it or not, this is actually the most difficult approach to meeting someone new.
Although this method has certainly proven to be successful in the past, going into an event trying to meet someone (and have them remember you) without having any prior connection to them is actually really difficult.
It’s far more successful (and easier!) to be introduced to someone.
In terms of making new connections, being introduced by a close friend/family member is the path of least resistance.
Why? Because, generally speaking, an introduction from a good friend or relative carries some weight to it.
Your friend/family member’s coworker trusts your friend/family member; thus…
An introduction also serves as a recommendation on your behalf.
You’re not just another student or postdoc trying to push your way into the conversation to get a shot at speaking with someone. Rather, you were welcomed into the conversation by that person’s respected colleague.
This approach has a much higher likelihood of working out in your favor because it’s understood that you wouldn’t have been introduced (i.e. “been recommended”) to that person if you weren’t qualified.
So from the perspective of your potential network connection, your friend/family member has already done the screening and the background check to make sure you are a worthwhile candidate to speak to about an opportunity. This makes it easier on your new network connection because instead of looking at you with skepticism, they immediately view you in a much better light because you’ve already passed the “entrance exam” so-to-speak.
Additionally, because you were recommended by a respected colleague, they are more likely to follow-up with you and follow-through on their promises. And as an added benefit, even if you haven’t heard back from your new network connection yet, your friend/family member can casually bring you up in conversation at the office to help ensure that they haven’t forgotten about you.
Since introductions are much more successful at creating and fostering relationships with those you don’t know yet, you should start your quest to expand your network by first looking at your immediate network, the people who know you incredibly well…
Your friends and family.
This networking approach is often overlooked because instead of viewing them as professionals, we see our friends and family purely as our loved ones. When we’re more interested in catching up on how each other has been, it’s easy to forget that your friends and family have valuable contacts through their own lines of work.
Surely, if you encountered a professional, you would avoid questions about life in general and your conversation would be more focused: What do you do? Where do you work? Can you tell me more about your job? Can we exchange contact information?
But when you see your best friend whom you haven’t seen in a while, you’re more interested in hearing about how they are doing, catching up on new life achievements and developments, learning about a new significant other in their life, reminiscing about the past, and simply spending time with them creating new memories.
We often skip the detailed questions about work when we’re speaking to good friends and family members because we’re not looking to “use” them to get ahead in our own careers. Instead, we’re actually genuinely interested in their lives and their well-being
However, we shouldn’t forget that they have successful careers, too. As such, we should indeed ask about their work, even if it’s not in the same field (which can actually be a good thing!).
Your best friend may be your best friend, and your favorite uncle may be your favorite uncle, but he/she is also a professional who knows other professionals. Even if they’re not in your line of work, they will more than likely know someone (or know someone who knows someone) who is in your field or the field you are trying to get into. An introduction from them could help you advance your career or at least lead to another connection that may be more useful to your specific needs.
And here’s the best part… because your friends and family are your biggest support system, they always have your best interest in mind, so they’re probably more than happy to help you out, even if it means they get nothing in return.
But your friends and family can’t help if you don’t let them know you’re looking and, more importantly, what you’re looking for.
So when they ask you, “How are things going?” don’t just say, “Fine,” or “Good.” Elaborate and discuss your thoughts openly. Bring up career avenues that interest you, mention some ideas you have for the future, and talk about some things you’re struggling with in terms of thinking about job prospects.
Airing these thoughts gives your friends and family a chance to chime in with other thoughts and ideas that may help you. Maybe they know a friend of a friend or have a colleague whose spouse is in your field. Whatever the case may be, they may be able to help you make new connections by providing contact information, sending an email on your behalf, or even setting up a face-to-face meeting. But your immediate network can’t put forth these notions or set up an introduction without a little prompting from you.
SO… as the holidays approach, enjoy the great company, the good food, and the leisurely conversation, but be sure to have some more focused conversations, too. Ask your friends and family about their jobs, talk about your own career plans (however abstract they may be at this point), and toss around your ideas freely… you never know what may come from the conversation, and it may be the one thing you need in order to make a new contact that eventually leads to your dream job.
** Take the path of least resistance, network with family and friends, and let us know how it goes! **
Share your thoughts below by clicking the “Leave a Reply” link or by clicking the chat bubble in the top right of the post.
February 19, 2023 at 9:20 pm
Share your thoughts below by clicking the “Leave a Reply” link or by clicking the chat bubble in the top right of the post.
February 19, 2023 at 9:38 pm
“We wanted to make it an intimate small gathering at a central location on campus. We added the flags around the ‘M’ for a special touch,” Student Government secretary and co-planner of the event, senior Hannah Capps, said. “We wanted to make sure the event would have an impact and students would come.”
https://www.mywatchesuk.com/
March 6, 2024 at 1:49 am
This is such an effective post, although there are tons of writing platforms available for students choosing authentic academic writing services is very beneficial in scoring top grades at very low costs.
February 20, 2023 at 8:10 am
These are five simple things you can do to maintain a positive online presence.
https://www.mywatchesuk.com/
April 25, 2023 at 10:12 am
önelik tipik arayışında, önceden hiçbir bağlantımızın olmadığı insanlarla tanışmak için genellikle çok sayıda kokteyl saatine, seminere, kariyer fuarı benzeri etkinliğe ve diğe agario unblocked
April 29, 2023 at 1:31 pm
genellikle çok sayıda kokteyl saatine, seminere, kariyer fuarı benzeri etkinliğe ve diğer organize ortamlara katılırız. metin2 pvp serverler
May 2, 2023 at 10:00 am
önceden hiçbir bağlantımızın olmadığı insanlarla tanışmak için genellikle çok sayıda kokteyl metin2 pvp serverler
May 19, 2023 at 2:57 pm
Thank you for useful sharing.
vozol 10000
May 24, 2023 at 12:09 pm
tipik arayışında, önceden hiçbir bağlantımızın olmadığı insanlarla tanışmak için genellikle çok sayıda kokteyl saatine, seminere, kariyer fuarı benzeri etkinliğe ve diğer organiz metin2 pvp
May 27, 2023 at 7:58 am
çok sayıda kokteyl saatine, seminere, kariyer fuarı benzeri etkinliğe ve diğer organize ortamlara katılırız. okey oyna
July 7, 2023 at 3:32 pm
we usually attend numerous cocktail hours, seminars, career fair-like events, and other organized settings to meet people to which we have no pre-existing connections. arabuloku
August 10, 2023 at 12:40 pm
and other organized settings to meet people to which we have no pre-existing connections. Agario unblocked
September 9, 2023 at 1:23 pm
and other organized settings to meet people to which we have no pre-existing connections io games
November 10, 2023 at 3:46 am
Ferma la prima persona che incontri per strada e chiedi loro di nominare un marchio di lusso: il più delle volte la risposta è “Rolex”, più precisamente “rolex replica“. La fama degli orologi Rolex non è stata raggiunta dall’oggi al domani, ma è stata il risultato di oltre un secolo di dedizione e competenza.
December 28, 2023 at 2:33 am
One of the greatest benefits that comes from being away at college is how much you appreciate coming home situs toto
February 10, 2024 at 1:49 pm
Thanks for this nice and clean content. It is very clear that it is very informative and written in a simple language.Nonton Film Gratis
April 14, 2024 at 5:19 pm
Thanks for your post.
Our team of experienced photographers will help you promote your business in the best way possible. https://mt2.org
June 4, 2024 at 3:24 am
If anyone has ever jasa ekspedisi jakarta balikpapan sat down to watch sports on a Sunday afternoon
June 4, 2024 at 5:16 am
that said Chaser ekspedisi jakarta batam left the camera angle a tad off.
June 11, 2024 at 1:00 am
Think about how Rental Mobil dan Supir Bandung many times you have met someone
June 13, 2024 at 5:46 am
Throughout history, we Sewa Mobil Lepas Kunci Tanpa Survey have been able to overcome these obstacles or national tragedies
June 19, 2024 at 5:41 am
usually read very Sertifikasi K3 Ketinggian quickly towards the end and after the consumer
June 20, 2024 at 2:08 am
The number Service ac panggilan di cianjur and types of followers you have on Instagram?
June 20, 2024 at 5:29 am
they are very Pelatihan PLC Bandung clear about the risks and side effects associated
June 25, 2024 at 5:13 am
But keep in Rental Mobil Murah di Bandung mind that there is a disproportionate number of pictures
June 26, 2024 at 11:22 pm
not stepping too far Sewa Rental Mobil Bandung out into the area, craving company while observing
June 27, 2024 at 12:27 am
This wasn’t an Tempat Rental Mobil di Bandung obsession with work
June 27, 2024 at 2:55 am
helping to shape the Rental Mobil Bandung dengan Supir character developing in my younger years
June 27, 2024 at 4:03 am
This makes it easier on Rental Mobil Bandung Murah 24 Jam your new network connection because
June 27, 2024 at 11:26 pm
Additionally, because you ekspedisi jakarta balikpapan were recommended by a respected colleague
June 28, 2024 at 2:13 am
it’s important to cargo jakarta balikpapan do the same on LinkedIn because this is the platform
June 28, 2024 at 3:25 am
so they’re probably jasa ekspedisi jakarta balikpapan more than happy to help you out
June 28, 2024 at 4:43 am
your friend/family tarif cargo jakarta balikpapan member can casually bring you up in conversation
June 28, 2024 at 5:39 am
Can we exchange pengiriman barang jakarta balikpapan contact information?
July 8, 2024 at 11:30 pm
this method has jasa seo to be successful
July 9, 2024 at 10:19 pm
with someone. Rather, you were jasa seo website into the conversation
July 10, 2024 at 2:57 am
career fair-like jasa seo web, and other organized
July 10, 2024 at 10:26 am
we have no jasa seo bulanan-existing
July 10, 2024 at 10:30 am
we have no jasa seo bulanan–
July 12, 2024 at 3:51 am
everyday reality is sewa hiace bandung murah woven with the threads of the learner’s perspective.
July 21, 2024 at 10:32 pm
The Black Lives Harga Ekspedisi Jakarta Bali Matter movement is about how historically banks wouldn’t lend to Blacks
July 22, 2024 at 2:13 am
even just the deaths baju batik pria lengan pendek of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.
July 22, 2024 at 4:05 am
Right now, at this Harga Sewa Mobil Bulanan Bekasi point in history, we are at a potential boiling point
July 22, 2024 at 5:42 am
The Black Lives Rental Mobil Bandung Murah 24 Jam Matter movement is about how historically banks wouldn’t lend to Blacks
July 22, 2024 at 10:17 pm
The Black Lives ekspedisi jakarta Makassar Matter movement is about how historically banks wouldn’t lend to Blacks
July 22, 2024 at 11:43 pm
uniting for the baju batik laki laki lengan pendek betterment of race relations in this country
July 23, 2024 at 12:51 am
The Black Lives Matter baju batik lengan pendek pria movement is about how historically banks wouldn’t
July 23, 2024 at 3:14 am
as it is referred to as a Sewa mobil mingguan bekasi skill. While most will see it as something to participate in
July 23, 2024 at 4:38 am
When analyzing this Sewa Mobil Lepas Kunci Tanpa Survey statement myself, I realize the relationship between the distant facts in coursework
July 29, 2024 at 5:44 am
seeing the police Jasa Pengiriman Barang Jakarta Palembang take innocent Black lives, except this time
July 30, 2024 at 11:25 pm
Aside from selling Sewa mobil bandung dengan supir lift tickets and season passes, ski resorts generate revenue through their associated hotels
July 31, 2024 at 2:10 am
Often, nail salons Rental mobil lepas kunci bandung also offer skin care services.
July 31, 2024 at 5:31 am
Nail salons offer a Sewa mobil harian bandung variation of options for nail care.
August 8, 2024 at 5:36 am
beauty services establishment rental hiace bandung that primarily offers nail care services such as manicures, pedicures, and nail enhancements.
August 9, 2024 at 5:47 am
Some nail salons are Tagline Brand offering one-stop beauty services.
August 19, 2024 at 12:24 am
Rate fences that have Sewa mobil di bandung been being utilized in the industry are limited.
August 19, 2024 at 4:04 am
Some of the nail salons have tempat rental mobil di bandung already started to use last minute deal and early reservation to fence the rates.
August 22, 2024 at 12:17 am
price are still being Sertifikasi K3 Listrik decided based on techniques and materials applied for a certain service.
August 22, 2024 at 4:11 am
minimum charge per Harga Sertifikat K3 Listrik service, multiply the product cost for each service
August 22, 2024 at 11:00 pm
it has been said that Pelatihan K3 Kebakaran some of the salons have already started to charge
August 22, 2024 at 11:59 pm
Some of the nail salons Sertifikasi K3 Ketinggian have already started to use last minute deal and early reservation to fence the rates.
August 23, 2024 at 3:51 am
Some salons are also Sertifikasi Pekerja Ketinggian using daily deals to fence their rate to the last minute businesses
August 25, 2024 at 10:51 pm
she has Kursus PLC a 75% station occupancy rate.
August 25, 2024 at 11:54 pm
Throughout history, we Jasa Pembuatan Website Bandung have been able to overcome these obstacles or national tragedies by utilizing the freedoms granted to us in our Constitution
August 26, 2024 at 3:17 am
However, as the Bikin Website Murah coronavirus pandemic surges on, there is a looming threat that could
August 26, 2024 at 4:16 am
There are many Jasa Website Murah Bandung variables that contribute to determining the President
August 26, 2024 at 5:16 am
Uncertainty stems Website Murah Di Bandung from President Trump’s increased criticism of the mail in ballot.
August 29, 2024 at 3:02 am
That is, as Claire sewa mobil balikpapan Bishop states, the museums tend to follow the idea that bigger
August 29, 2024 at 4:08 am
McAuthur for sewa mobil murah balikpapan his role in saving Korea.
August 29, 2024 at 5:09 am
promoting only the image jasa rental mobil balikpapan of the new, the cool, the photogenic, and the economically successful.