Posted on Sep 8, 2015
How about Lies They Tell Transitioning Veterans, Part 2: Passive Networking is Effective?
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How about Lies They Tell Transitioning Veterans, Part 2: Passive Networking is Effective?
By Peter Gudmundsson
CEO & President at RecruitMilitary
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/lies-tell-transitioning-veterans-part-2-passive-peter-gudmundsson?trk=pulse-det-nav_art
This is the second in a series of columns entitled “Lies They Tell Transitioning Veterans.” As before, the incendiary nature of the title is not meant to belittle or accuse the contract instructors who conduct these on classes. Rather, the language is intended to challenge the ambitious transitioning veteran to give careful thought to the veracity of his assumptions and efficacy of his efforts.
Most transition classes provide at least passing mention of the power of networking and the importance of setting up a LinkedIn profile. Few of these classes, however, effectively communicate that networking is hard and active work. There is no such thing as effective passive networking. The idea that one can just set up a Linkedin profile and wait for jobs to appear is a common misconception.
By Peter Gudmundsson
CEO & President at RecruitMilitary
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/lies-tell-transitioning-veterans-part-2-passive-peter-gudmundsson?trk=pulse-det-nav_art
This is the second in a series of columns entitled “Lies They Tell Transitioning Veterans.” As before, the incendiary nature of the title is not meant to belittle or accuse the contract instructors who conduct these on classes. Rather, the language is intended to challenge the ambitious transitioning veteran to give careful thought to the veracity of his assumptions and efficacy of his efforts.
Most transition classes provide at least passing mention of the power of networking and the importance of setting up a LinkedIn profile. Few of these classes, however, effectively communicate that networking is hard and active work. There is no such thing as effective passive networking. The idea that one can just set up a Linkedin profile and wait for jobs to appear is a common misconception.
Networking
Jobs
Transition
Soldiers
Employment
Posted >1 y ago
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I do agree that networking is not a passive effective method, I will (to a SMALL degree) disagree to the Linked In profile thing. If you spend time, draft your information carefully and include words that will trigger search parameters, you can have some luck. I worked on my LinkedIn account for a number of days, polishing it up to the best that I could... I even included a statement of "non-availability" until a specific time frame due to military obligation....since that time, I have had at least 3 possible job offers just off my "passive" LinkedIn account. Now, I would say that I may have had more, if I was ACTIVE with it.... but I am also not quite in that target time frame yet (but fast approaching!).
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
Maj Chris Nelson I agree with you on the LinkedIn portion. I've worked hard to get my profile set just right and I've run across a lot of opportunites to connect or job opportunities as well.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
Here is my profile for anyone on RP that ones to connect with me on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/pub/mikel-burroughs/9/358/334
https://www.linkedin.com/pub/mikel-burroughs/9/358/334
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Sir-Among many unintentional "mis-truths" laid out during "transition assistance training", I recall an overly optimistic and perhaps dated view of "networking". When I first entered the civilian workforce, what I discovered was that most companies have very specific criteria they are looking for in a minimally qualified applicant...Once that baseline is established through a series of frustratingly impersonal portals, networking may come into play. However, it is truly poor advice to service members to imply a good professional online presence will land them their "big break".
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