You’ve forced yourself out of bed, had a cup of coffee or two, read the paper, gone through your email, scanned the web, re-read the paper, looked at Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and then the moment that you’ve dreaded every morning for the past few months arrives. It cannot be avoided any longer. It’s time to network, to call people, to seek out the possibility of an informational interview, to be a pest, to hold your hand out, to beg….
You never thought it would be this hard, being ground to powder in the mill of humiliation. So you wonder, “Why don’t I just give up on this networking garbage?” But you know the answer. You’ve been counseled by every authority that networking is the key to finding jobs. But your subconscious mind argues forcefully, “It is a fruitless exercise, an utter waste of time!” It argues so strongly that these thoughts keep surfacing in your consciousness. And it is fruitless, until you win the war within.
Until you start thinking of yourself in positive terms, what you have to offer others, you will never be effective at networking. Those who have this positive, assertive attitude, find networking to be refreshing. Seriously. They reach out to people with confidence, briefly detailing their value, and they are heartened by the way so many complete strangers want to help them. And why do people want to help them? It is because they are energizing and not life-force drains.
The person who has won the war that is fought within is like a person who works for the Red Cross at a scene of devastation. He approaches victim after victim to see if he can help them. “Do you need water? medical aid? food?” Some say no and the worker moves on to the next person. No offense was meant and none was taken. Some of the victims say something like, “I’m fine, but go over there to Joe. He could use your help.” And that is how networking works. When you show how you can meet an important need, then those who know of someone’s need will direct you toward this person.
Do not wake up with dread, or waste valuable hours avoiding what has been an unpleasant task. Win the war within and face the day like someone who has something valuable to offer. After all, you do have valuable skills and gifts that can help hiring authorities. So, don’t run from reality, embrace it and make that call.