Most job seekers have rather limited networks. And the unfortunate truth is that it is extremely difficult to sizably increase your network virtually overnight. What can you do to get the most out of the network at your disposal? The answer is to recognize and utilize the Rule of Seven.
The Rule of Seven has been kicking around in the sales world for years. It works, so why not adapt it to your needs? Here is what the rule states it takes an average of seven contacts with a prospective buyer before you can expect to make a sale. If you have not made a sale after these seven contacts, move on to more productive ground.
Most job seekers feel rather uncomfortable calling a contact to ask if he or she knows of someone or some company that might need someone with their talents and experience. This uncomfortable feeling can develop into full blown paralysis when the seeker is told he should contact each of his contacts more than once. And yet, as evidenced by the Rule of Seven: it is imperative that each contact be contacted at least seven times. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
Or, conversely, out of sight, out of mind.
But what can you say or do to maintain a high profile and not make a nuisance of yourself? Specifically, what seven things can you do to logically touch base with every one of your contacts once every two weeks? There is a fine line between being persistent and being obnoxious. Whatever you do, you had better not cross this line.
You say you can't think of seven valid, not too obvious, reasons? Not to worry. Here are twice as many, that's right, fourteen, for you to choose from.
- Call to tell the contact you're on the market and would appreciate any leads or help he or she might be willing to provide. Try to arrange a get together.
- Call to ask if he would be willing to look at, and critique, your resume. Hand carry it to him if possible. Leave extra copies "just in case."
- Call to ask him out to lunch.
- Call "...just to touch base" to remind him that you need his help.
- Call to see if he needs more resumes.
- Call to update him on your search efforts.
- Call to ask him to be a reference.
- Call to ask if he's been contacted as your reference by someone.
- Call for advice or suggestions.Call to tell him the result of his advice or suggestion.
- Call about something personal... a mutual friend or activity. Don't even mention the job search.
- Call to ask what he might know about a certain person or company.
- Send him a fax or a photocopy of a business article, announcement, development, etc., that might interest him.
- Send him an updated resume or a supplement to your resume. Still not enough ways to obey the "Rule of Seven?" OK, here is one more approach, no charge...
- Send him a thank you note.
Using the Rule of Seven, your chances of a network contact producing a positive result are increased seven times.
It's better to re contact 25 network leads seven times than to contact 175 leads one time. It's not enough to let people know you're available and looking for a new job. If they don't remember you, what good does it do?
The Strength of Weak Ties
Talk to any experienced, skillful networkers and they will be quick to tell you about The Strength of Weak Ties. They probably won't have a name for this phenomenon, but they will certainly attest to its significance. You might think the people most likely to assist you in your job search are those you know the best.
Wrong! You're more likely to receive rewarding support from those individuals three, four, or even five years down line from your network base.
Time and time again, job seekers report that people who didn't know them were the most helpful. Many more positions are found via down line contacts than through primary resources. Why? I suspect it has something to do with those who know you best not being able to see the forest for the trees.
Effective networking demands you seek out and cultivate con tact with people you don't even know. If you avoid reaching out to a friend of a friend for help, you severely hinder your chances of finding a great new position as quickly as possible.
