3 Reasons Veterans Hate Networking

We veterans look at networking all wrong, probably due to how we were trained in the military. But if you really think about it, remember some of the best were actually great networkers within the military. You remember the guy that always knew everyone and everyone loved him. He was a networker. I can site countless times that networking has landed me a job or opportunity. But early on, I was like everyone else and did not like it or believe that it worked. The thing about networking is it's like chow, it's continuous. Or PT, you can't work-out really hard once a month, you have to do it on a regular basis like showering. The most important thing about networking is it will pay off when you least expect it and in a way you never imagined. You can't go to a specific meeting to meet a specific person and hope that individual is going to offer you a job. It is much more of an art form and definitely a long game. Networking is one of those things that you may not fully appreciate and understand until you see it pay off. I'ts like faith, you have to believe in it without proof that it works. I think most of us military types have the wrong idea about networking. If you go into a networking event with the expectation that you are going to get something out of it then you are approaching the situation all wrong. Start with the attitude that you are there to actually meet people, instead of talking about yourself, ask others about themselves, be curious. The greatest conversation technique from "Think and Grow Rich" is to get other people talking about themselves and they will remember you as a great conversationalist. Hard to believe but it works. This is how networking plays out: You meet Mark at a social event, turns out Mark is kinda weird and annoying but you ended-up having a long conversation with him and he asks you for your business card. Two months later, a friend introduces you to Dave. You end up liking Dave quite a bit because Dave wants to go into the same line of work that you are interested in. Dave's best friend is Jeff. Jeff has been trying to do business with a company but can't get past the gate keepers. He mentions the owner is kinda weird and annoying and as it turns out, yep, he's talking about Mark that you met 2 months ago. You call Mark since you also have his business card and get Jeff in and ultimately Jeff ends up doing big business with Mark and his company. A year later you are getting out of the military and looking for a job. You talk to Jeff and he offers you a job on the spot. Boom! Sounds crazy but that is how networking works.
- 78% of jobs are made through referrals
- You have a 1 in a 100 chance of getting a job from a resume
- Transition is a family affair
- Humility is more important than competence
Now go get some!
http://www.veteranonthemove.com

SP5 Mark Kuzinski thank you for posting this very informative thread, I agree totally. Truth be known I was guilty and had a hard time networking myself. Well said and profoundly conveyed.

My wife is super active in the community and I go to events with her. The hardest thing is being prepared. It is difficult to tell who exactly is going to be at the events and what their background is. Where when I went to the American Legion Post for the first time, I felt completely different. I knew a little bit about the people who were going to be there because they are all veterans. So was more relaxed and knew what I wanted to achieve while there. The other issue that is a serious problem is the follow-up. It is something that I know I am horrible at doing and need to work on.