Networking—Compassion or Competition?

Fellow jobless people you meet through networking can become part of your community of connections or they can be competitors. The distinction is really up to you. However, choosing the compassionate route can have short- and long-term rewards.

Even those who may be competing for the same jobs hold some promise as connections, because if they find a job before you do, they are suddenly on the inside track again and able to help you more. The wider you cast your net, the more options you give yourself. If you shut off those who might “take jobs away” from you, you also shut off the potential leads and support they can offer.

Just as with not burning bridges with past employers (see the last post), being open minded in your networking could lead to a job opportunity you never imagined existed.

The keys to success in networking with other jobseekers are sharing and caring. You can:

• Share interesting articles, papers or news items with your connections.
• Add them to your online network on LinkedIn or other social media.
• Offer support by listening.
• Notify them about new networking opportunities.
• Invite them to join you to hear an interesting speaker.
• Ask them to come along to a professional meeting, exposition or other event.
• Introduce your contacts to others in your network.
• Send links to resources on job hunting or their profession.
• Check in periodically to see how they are doing.
• Get together one-to-one over coffee.

Day After Labor Day Pep Talk for the Jobless

It already feels a bit like fall. Children have all returned to school. Vacation time is over. Put away your summer attitude and get down to brass tacks. It’s time to refocus on where you need to be—gainfully employed.

The jobless rate was reported at 9.7% on Friday, a slight gain over the previous month, and it is likely to climb again. You could let that get you down. It would be easy to get down in light of unhappy statistics.

However, there is an undercurrent in which jobs are beginning to appear. Capitol Communicator reported last week “that things are starting to heat up on the business front” for DC area communications agencies. As I see it, new business leads to job opportunities. Also, the federal government, according to the Washington Post last week, will need to replace more than 270,000 retiring workers for “mission-critical” positions in the upcoming 3 years. More temporary jobs are starting to emerge as organizations find they need extra help for annual events or to replace people out on special leave, such as maternity.

Yes, most employers are back from vacations and refocused on business, and jobs may be slowly opening up, but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t continue trying just as hard as you did right after losing your last job, whether because of a layoff or other reason. Or, that you don’t stand a chance in a highly competitive job market. You need to do whatever it takes to stand out, show off your strengths and offer employers what they need, and do it better than anyone else competing for the same jobs.

It’s a new season. Let’s get going.