As professionals, I’m sure we all know that networking is an indispensable tool to develop industry contacts, get promising leads, and first hand information about a company etc.
That being said, what are some of the do’s and don’ts of professional networking.
I am asking this question because I was recently contacted by a friend of a friend who I have never met before personally and this guy was new to the city – so I offered to guide him etc. On the very first phone conversation… right after knowing about my work, he started asking for a job in my department. I mean… c’mon man… I’ve never even met you! It’s not that the guy is fresh out of school or anything either. He’s come from Pakistan on one of those long ass 5 year leave from his current job - and the job is pretty decent.
I dunno – this kind of attitude just comes off as rather crass and I get putt off from even trying to do something for these types of people. I mean… had he come to meet me once… touch base with me over email and phone a couple of more times and just asked if I knew of any helpful resources for job search, that would be a much better approach and I would have certainly pointed him in the right direction and depending on what I think of the guy by that time, might even consider hiring him in a position where I have a say.
Well I have to go to such a "networking" meet tomorrow... will keep you posted on what I observe others doing.