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Imagine this:
- You meet the new next-door neighbor for the first time. He casually mentions that he is a partner with a retained search firm during the introductions. You blurt out, “Great! you find me a job!”
Or:
- You begin connecting with executives on LinkedIn to look for a new position. In your first message, you ask the prospective contact to help you find a new job.
Suppose you are that individual. Congratulations have made the most common mistake of networking.
Whether it is your new neighbor or a LinkedIn contact, if they do not know you, if they do not trust you, they will not refer you.
Professional networking is not a short-term job search strategy. It is not something you can turn off and on like water at the kitchen sink.
Networking – the art of building relationships — is a long-term investment in your future.