It is exciting to realize that we all are 'one' interview away from landing that dream role in some great companies that we always aspired to work for but equally scary when we come to terms with the fact that 'networking, connections, randomness and luck' play an unevenly important part to make that interview happen.
When we are seeking to get that breakthrough, we tend to look at others and people around us to see and learn how those before us have done it. At the same time, companies and their HR partners are looking at easier & less costlier ways to find people to work for them. And I guess, that is what gave birth to 'networking'.
Applying for a job online has become a numbers' game where the odds of your resume getting shortlisted is staked heavily against you. Research has shown that, 70% of people were hired at a company where they already have a connection in place. And on top of it, it has come down to this - it is only not about who you know - It is also about who your connections know and those lucky few go on to find the right mix of 'a job and a group of connections working at the same place', but majority aren't that lucky (including me)...
So now, what's next for people like us? Realistically, it's not easy to make connections in both, real life as well in the virtual world (read - LinkedIn). Strangers represent uncertainty and there is always a fear of rejection, which happens most of the time. But I read recently, the contrary can also be true - i.e. these same strangers present an opportunity to connect, if we reach them with a 'right' approach.
I read in a psychology book that it's an internal struggle - if you connect with somebody thinking that they will reject you, they definitely will but on the other hand, if we seek people with an open mind, a honest intent and with a little bit of flair and creativity, then things can be in your favor. And afterwards, the possibilities are 'infinite'
I have started trying this idea, off-late and all I have got is 'rejection' so far but i am planning to give it a shot several times at various levels in the industry to understand whether 'strangers' really want to connect with us and create value for us and themselves in the relationship.
As they say, if you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by trying, then by all means try but also remember, if they reject your invitation, they rejected your idea or approach of connecting with them. They didn't reject you. They don't know you.
Let the chase begin.....
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