I have been to several networking events, and I find that often, the people who are the real decision-makers (the ones I need to connect with) are not typically in the room. At most events, I am surrounded by individuals who are seeking to find someone who can help them, just like me.
How can you make valuable contacts like that?
In order to make your job search worthwhile, you must identify and connect with those who are typically “unusual suspects.”
Here’s how to do it:
1. Think Outside the Box
Identify companies outside of your area of focus that might be connected to what you want to do. For instance, if you’re interested in nonprofit work, consider companies that have corporate social responsibility programs. A bank might need someone to assist with their community development work, volunteer management or marketing.
Another often-missed unusual suspect is local government. Local governments need individuals who have a variety of backgrounds outside of public administration. Municipal leagues are a great resource for opportunities and offer events and conferences that place you in a position to connect with decision-makers.
Think about other nonprofit associations that support fields such as healthcare or public relations. A great website is ProAssociationCareers.org, which can provide you with some ideas of entities in your community you can connect with.
Another unusual suspect is affinity organizations. These organizations are often found within companies for women, people of color, the disabled or LGBT populations. These groups range in size and can offer mentoring and inside information to move into new roles if you’re already within the company.
2. Volunteer
My first job after college was a result of volunteering as a speaker for a group of high school students. I never thought that spending Saturdays with teens would result in an opportunity of a lifetime!
Volunteering can connect you to some amazing people. Through my work with Dallas Women’s Foundation as a volunteer grant reviewer, I have connected with some amazing women from the corporate and public service realms who are able to introduce me to their networks. Investigate opportunities in your community through Serve.gov, VolunteerMatch or even sitting on the board of directors of a local nonprofit with the help of boardnetUSA.
Serving on a board not only allows you to help an organization impact a community through your guidance; you can also meet other individuals in the community who can open doors for you. Enlisting the free matching services of boardnetUSA resulted in my involvement as a board member of a local nonprofit which was a subsidiary to a large national organization. The contacts were amazing, and I was able to hone my own skills as a board member.
3. Check the Paper
As a former fundraiser, the newspaper has been a great source for me for soliciting information about upcoming events that might have individuals in attendance I could meet. A lecture series is great opportunity to meet interesting people, especially attending pre- and post-events such as receptions for speakers.
The initial conversation shouldn’t be about your need for employment, but more about exploring a common interest or reflecting on the event. Follow up with a lunch appointment to share further.
4. Go Back to School
Colleges and universities are places we often fail to identify in our quest for building relationships. In addition to continuing education courses, speakers and other events, they can be a source of some great connections and potential employment. A great website for jobs is Academic360, which lists positions from across the globe.
We often think of colleges as a place for professors, not recognizing that these institutions also need a cadre of individuals who can support their fundraising, financial and support interests. Think about teaching a class in the continuing education department at your local university; classes can range from photography to how to use social media.
You can even create a certificate program — I did! For the last five plus years, I’ve been an instructor, and in addition to making my skill set sharper for my work, I’ve encountered students who were in some amazing positions who have become my friends and introduced me to their networks.
5. Listen Up
Most important when tapping into unusual suspects is the ability to listen. As much as we think it’s important to talk and give our elevator speech, we miss so much information when we don’t allow for meaningful dialogue to occur. Even when someone says no, it isn’t the end of the conversation.
So much of tapping into the unusual suspects is building your network to include diverse players. Networking is more than handing out a business card; it extends to creating mutually beneficial relationships. It’s critical to get to know the person you’re talking with. (Like this thought? Tweet it!)
People often ask me about who I know that can assist them, and although I might not have an answer immediately, as we get to know one another, I can usually connect them to someone who could be helpful. But this doesn’t often happen at a first or even second meeting. Always be willing to get feedback and ask people for ideas, and you may find others in their circle of influence who could serve as great connections for you.
How can you extend your networking beyond the “usual suspects”? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Image: Flickr
