Networking Tip – Always Pay For Lunch

If you are out right now looking for a job and are tapping into your network, please make sure that your network is appreciated. This quick tip is about about saying thank you, in a proper way, each and every time you tap your network.

So, if you request a lunch meeting or a coffee meeting with someone in your network, you need to pay for it. Sound fair? What if you are many months into your search and dollars are short? You should still offer to pay for lunch.

Why? Because your network, unless we are talking your family or close friends, is not a free resource. It needs to be respected, nurtured, and appreciated.

Also, it is in your best interest. If you have a nice lunch with a recruiter, for example, and take 45 minutes of their time, get free advice and you don’t offer to pay for the meal, how do you think you will be remembered? “The interesting candidate who didn’t respect my time”.

Harsh, but true.