Q & A: Tim Tyrell-Smith on Networking with a Purpose

Tim Tyrell-Smith is the author of 30 Ideas of Successful Job Search, and the founder of TimsStrategy.com. He is a former marketing VP for Horizon Foods, and writes for U.S. News & World Reports online feature, “On Careers.”

What’s the biggest networking mistake that you see job seekers make?

A big mistake I see job seekers make is networking without specific job search objectives.  You need to be able to answer a simple question:  “What Are You Looking For?” Don’t give vague answers or suggest multiple industry or job title targets.  Be specific.  Offer data that your network can use to remember you.  Make sure your objectives are listed out on your networking bio and business cards as a tangible reminder.  Make it easy for people to help you.

You say networking without a purpose is just socializing, is a written agenda necessary among friends or at social gatherings?

It depends on why you are out networking.  If your purpose is simply to meet new people and make friends, that’s fine.  But if your objective is to find a job or build a consulting business, you need to work with a plan.  The goal is to be less impulsive and more strategic. 

I ask job seekers at events three questions: 

What are you doing here?

Who are you here to meet?

How does this event fit with your goals for the week?   

My goal is to provoke new thinking about why people make certain decisions about events and how they can better plan so that they walk away from an event with smart new connections, new leads and more information about target companies.  Not just a stack of business cards.

Any suggestions to build credibility for a job if you’ve never worked in a field or don’t have any contacts?

First of all, trying to change jobs or industries is never easy.  And this economy has made it very difficult.  Because without specific “ready to run” experience, you are a risky hire. Here are two options:

1. Get experience now that allows you to appear less risky.  Examples include an internship, a new certification, a consulting gig or even a significant volunteer experience.  All of these will at least give the hiring manager a reason to look at your resume without squinting.
2. Get a job in your current field or industry and work to transition over time.  Take on cross-functional roles and begin networking internally.  Prove yourself and build credibility.  Then you can strategically pursue that new role with people that already know you.

Do you see a difference in networking for a job and when you’re in a job?

The basic successful habits of networking are the same.  Help others, be personable, smile and be memorable.  But it is a lot easier to network when you are working.  For some there is an added confidence in having a platform (a company behind you).  And there are some very smart and talented job seekers out there who are desperately looking for employed contacts.  

As an employed person, you have knowledge and information you can share, use to help others and use to meet motivated new connections.  Many employed people live under a rock and don’t crawl out much.  Find one event per month minimum to attend.  And offer an hour or two each month to help people via informational interviews.

Are there any questions I haven’t asked that I should be asking? What’s the question, and what’s your answer?

How do you get the most out of a networking event? Here are my suggestions.

1. Prepare – find out who will be there and arrange a pre-meeting if someone is a key potential contact.
2. Get there early – it is easier to network in a smaller crowd.  
3. Resist the urge to sit down – instead, find people to meet up until the speaker starts talking.
4. Ask for help – Don’t let pride prevent you from telling people that you need help with something.
5. Connect with organizer – meeting organizers know a lot of people and can connect you with key people in your industry or field.
6. Stay late – often you can get a few minutes with the speaker or potentially offer to buy a key person a cup of coffee on the way out.
7. Follow up – Find out how you can get in touch with key people after the event. Ask if they’d be open to connecting on LinkedIn.  Suggest a coffee meeting a few days later.

Parting Words: What’s your “use it now” actionable—advice for job seekers (in 140 characters or less):

Write a regular monthly e-mail update to your network. Remind them of your specific job search objectives and give them a reason to stay engaged in your job search.