[03.24.10]

35 great comments!

Is There Such A Thing As Too Much Networking?

This question came from Toronto. One of my regular readers who does it right. Because she has progressively added enough new work assignments that she is arguably now over-employed.

But can I tell you something? I’m a little uncomfortable right now. This question is somewhat new territory for me.

Because almost every meeting I have with job seekers includes a discussion about networking. But this is the first time someone has asked me if one can network too much. Usually the questions are where do I go, how long should I stay and how do I become more memorable?

Very rarely does someone have to worry about “too much”.

But that’s what I love about the question. It is aspirational. It also shows real foresight and presence of mind.

And here’s my answer. Yes.

Here’s how:

During a job search, if you are always out and about. If you are a guaranteed RSVP at every event. And become as common as the plastic chairs in the room. This can lead to a type of over-exposure. And the mystery about you will dissipate.

You see I encourage people to get out of their house at least 4 hours a day. Many do not. But if you are away all day and many nights, you can burn out your own candle, your friend’s candles and that of your family. Who were hoping they’d see more of you – not less – during your transition.

If networking becomes your social life. A comfortable and welcome place. You can get into trouble. Because you stop pushing the boundaries. And stop meeting new people. You just socialize with the same folks night after night. And a stunning lack of purpose ensues.

Then networking can be somewhat superficial. No depth to it.

So while I think that very few of us suffer from “too much”, it is a great question. Because even if we don’t suffer from over-exposure, we can become too common at single events or with a particular crowd.

And if that is you (too predictable). Pick your favorite event. The one you never miss. And miss it next month. Instead, pick an event you’ve never been to and be a new face there.

Instead of being old-faithful.

Photo credit, Flicka

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http://www.thomsinger.blogspot.com thom singer

Tim-

This is a great question, but one that 99.9% of all people will never have to worry about. I see people looking for excuses to not network far more than I see anyone really becoming “over-exposed”.

It is like social media. Chris Brogan recently announced on his blog that he had to re-draw the way the follows up and makes himself available to those who communicate with him via social media, email,etc.. He is a rock star and has thousands of people commenting weekly on his blog and tweets. But his action has caused a ton of people to come up with similar ideas about not responding to people in social media. They are claiming “see, it wont scale!!!” But they are NOWHERE near the top of the pile. These people are lucky to have dozens of comments in a month, … but they see Chris’s pronouncement that he is over-extended as a reason to be able to hide from networking. Most people are NOT over-extended at all…. they just dont know how to manage their networking time (online or offline).

I think that job seekers should not be worried about being over-exposed, but instead be concerned about how are they impacting the people they meet. you can NEVER be over-exposed if you are working to help other people and help your extended community. If you are just showing up trying to find a job, yep, that can get old. But nobody tires of those who are looking to contribute to every situation they encounter!

As always, your blog is great.

thom

http://www.timsstrategy.com Tim

Thanks Thom. I really appreciate your comment on this – your views on networking need to be heard here. Folks, if you don’t know Thom, check out his site here.

I love your reaction to this post. And I agree that this question should be entirely irrelevant to most if not all job seekers. But, I’ll wager there are a few folks out there who desperately need to hear that their method has become stale. That they’ve lost their way. And are no longer seen as a fresh and wanted commodity. But, the good news, as you suggest, is that people can be out there all the time if they are helping others. That is a really important distinction. Hey, how do you rate getting a blog comment from Chris Brogan. Hey Chris – comment here too!

http://www.thomsinger.blogspot.com thom singer

Tim-

This is a great question, but one that 99.9% of all people will never have to worry about. I see people looking for excuses to not network far more than I see anyone really becoming “over-exposed”.

It is like social media. Chris Brogan recently announced on his blog that he had to re-draw the way the follows up and makes himself available to those who communicate with him via social media, email,etc.. He is a rock star and has thousands of people commenting weekly on his blog and tweets. But his action has caused a ton of people to come up with similar ideas about not responding to people in social media. They are claiming “see, it wont scale!!!” But they are NOWHERE near the top of the pile. These people are lucky to have dozens of comments in a month, … but they see Chris’s pronouncement that he is over-extended as a reason to be able to hide from networking. Most people are NOT over-extended at all…. they just dont know how to manage their networking time (online or offline).

I think that job seekers should not be worried about being over-exposed, but instead be concerned about how are they impacting the people they meet. you can NEVER be over-exposed if you are working to help other people and help your extended community. If you are just showing up trying to find a job, yep, that can get old. But nobody tires of those who are looking to contribute to every situation they encounter!

As always, your blog is great.

thom

http://www.timsstrategy.com Tim

Thanks Thom. I really appreciate your comment on this – your views on networking need to be heard here. Folks, if you don’t know Thom, check out his site here.

I love your reaction to this post. And I agree that this question should be entirely irrelevant to most if not all job seekers. But, I’ll wager there are a few folks out there who desperately need to hear that their method has become stale. That they’ve lost their way. And are no longer seen as a fresh and wanted commodity. But, the good news, as you suggest, is that people can be out there all the time if they are helping others. That is a really important distinction. Hey, how do you rate getting a blog comment from Chris Brogan. Hey Chris – comment here too!

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http://www.LinkedIn.com/in/richardcblackburn Richard Blackburn

Tim – great comments and thank you as always for addressing these topics.
I personally think that you need a blend of networking and ‘home office work’ – namely job applications, follow-up on all those commitments you made to the people you met while networking, etc.
You need to spend time working on your ‘reverse marketing’ efforts so people can find you, i.e. LinkedIn profiles, Google Profiles, etc etc.
Getting the right blend of activity is key.
Richard
PS – I’m still working on finding it…

http://www.timsstrategy.com Tim

Thanks Richard – Yes, there needs to be a blend. Totally agree. All play (in-person networking) and no work (follow-up and admin) does not deliver the value required. Good luck on finding that balance – let me know if you get closer! And I’ll keep thinking about it too . . .

http://www.LinkedIn.com/in/richardcblackburn Richard Blackburn

Tim – great comments and thank you as always for addressing these topics.
I personally think that you need a blend of networking and ‘home office work’ – namely job applications, follow-up on all those commitments you made to the people you met while networking, etc.
You need to spend time working on your ‘reverse marketing’ efforts so people can find you, i.e. LinkedIn profiles, Google Profiles, etc etc.
Getting the right blend of activity is key.
Richard
PS – I’m still working on finding it…

http://www.timsstrategy.com Tim

Thanks Richard – Yes, there needs to be a blend. Totally agree. All play (in-person networking) and no work (follow-up and admin) does not deliver the value required. Good luck on finding that balance – let me know if you get closer! And I’ll keep thinking about it too . . .

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Glen Loock

Tim, great question as always; and one that I feel requires more thought by all of us that are out there networking. As one who has been in transition for more than a year I see the pitfalls of becoming a serial networker. Over the last several months I have questioned how often and which events I would be attending.

There was a time I would attend as many events as possible, a morning and evening event, Industry specific, general events, while I met many great people I was not able to follow-up with many of them, as a result I missed opportunities to develop a deeper relationship.

So 90 days ago I set out to determine which events are meaningful and which ones I was attending just because I was comfortable. It is a work in progress but one that is getting better and producing better results. Today I have reduced the number of events to 3-4 per week down from and average of 8 earlier. Also, I am trying to meet 5 new people per week and connect with 5 people on my contact list (your time is coming Tim) per week. This has lead to many new contacts and introductions. While it has still not lead to a job, it is leading toward new opportunities. And like your Canadian friend I am looking at what I call a portfolio career. Where I will be working as a contract employee for more than one company, this has yet to start but it is becoming more of a possibility.

http://www.timsstrategy.com Tim

Glen – Thanks for your thoughts on this topic. I think you have a great perspective on this and I like to hear that you are thinking through this issue for your own networking plan. But let me tell you that you are one who is doing it right – helping others – as Thom Singer suggests in his comment. But even as good of a networker as you are, the idea of continually sharpening your approach makes sense when in job search.

Glen Loock

Tim, great question as always; and one that I feel requires more thought by all of us that are out there networking. As one who has been in transition for more than a year I see the pitfalls of becoming a serial networker. Over the last several months I have questioned how often and which events I would be attending.

There was a time I would attend as many events as possible, a morning and evening event, Industry specific, general events, while I met many great people I was not able to follow-up with many of them, as a result I missed opportunities to develop a deeper relationship.

So 90 days ago I set out to determine which events are meaningful and which ones I was attending just because I was comfortable. It is a work in progress but one that is getting better and producing better results. Today I have reduced the number of events to 3-4 per week down from and average of 8 earlier. Also, I am trying to meet 5 new people per week and connect with 5 people on my contact list (your time is coming Tim) per week. This has lead to many new contacts and introductions. While it has still not lead to a job, it is leading toward new opportunities. And like your Canadian friend I am looking at what I call a portfolio career. Where I will be working as a contract employee for more than one company, this has yet to start but it is becoming more of a possibility.

http://www.timsstrategy.com Tim

Glen – Thanks for your thoughts on this topic. I think you have a great perspective on this and I like to hear that you are thinking through this issue for your own networking plan. But let me tell you that you are one who is doing it right – helping others – as Thom Singer suggests in his comment. But even as good of a networker as you are, the idea of continually sharpening your approach makes sense when in job search.

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http://www.preferredvendor.com Brian Meeks

I am a long ways from being overextended with regards to networking, but I thought that this was a great article and is worth keeping in mind as I move forward. Thanks.

http://www.timsstrategy.com Tim Tyrell-Smith

Hey Brian – Yeah, I know. Hard to imagine being there, but like you, I think it is a great, provocative question. The key, no matter how much you network, is the quality of the time and the ability you have to connect with people.

http://www.preferredvendor.com Brian Meeks

I am a long ways from being overextended with regards to networking, but I thought that this was a great article and is worth keeping in mind as I move forward. Thanks.

http://www.timsstrategy.com Tim Tyrell-Smith

Hey Brian – Yeah, I know. Hard to imagine being there, but like you, I think it is a great, provocative question. The key, no matter how much you network, is the quality of the time and the ability you have to connect with people.

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http://knowledgence.com Chuck Dennis

Tim –

I think. You have some very good ideas. About job-hunting.

However, your writing style. Is sometimes a little. Choppy.

http://www.timsstrategy.com Tim Tyrell-Smith

Chuck – Appreciate your comment. And as we discussed by e-mail, my “choppy” content is my fun way of getting your attention. Thanks for that feedback!

http://knowledgence.com Chuck Dennis

Tim –

I think. You have some very good ideas. About job-hunting.

However, your writing style. Is sometimes a little. Choppy.

http://www.timsstrategy.com Tim Tyrell-Smith

Chuck – Appreciate your comment. And as we discussed by e-mail, my “choppy” content is my fun way of getting your attention. Thanks for that feedback!

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Is There Such A Thing As Too Much Networking?

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