Comments on: networking is never about YOU

By: Patrick

Patrick — Wed, 06 May 2009 20:30:12 +0000

Fantastic advice. I never thought of it this way before.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Wed, 06 May 2009 13:30:12 +0000

Fantastic advice. I never thought of it this way before.

By: fathersez

fathersez — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 01:06:54 +0000

This is just like spreading goodwill. Ask not what you can do for me….but what I can do for you, kind of thing.

Having said that, whilst I know the so called theory, I am quite a dunderhead failure at this so important art.

By: Friday Finance Findings for April 10th | Finance Money Financial News

Friday Finance Findings for April 10th | Finance Money Financial News — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 07:22:48 +0000

[...] Networking is Never About YOU – The title of this post says it all, but there was another quote that sums it up perfectly: “If you only start your networking efforts when you need something, you’ll have trouble making a connection.” So true! [...]

By: TStrump

TStrump — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 21:31:37 +0000

Networking should always be ongoing.
By the time you need it, if you haven't put any effort into it, it's usually too late.

By: Friday Finance Findings for April 10th : Generation X Finance

Friday Finance Findings for April 10th : Generation X Finance — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 15:28:54 +0000

By: Steven@hundredgoals.com

Steven@hundredgoals.com — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 17:20:54 +0000

I learned the lesson about it not always being about me when I was pushing for a position in the company that I work for which would place me overseas, something I've wanted to do for a long time. When I was talking to my manager about the position I spent most of the time talking about how the position was a perfect match for me, how I this or I that. At some point in the conversation he asked if he could stop me, and I of course obliged. He politely told me that it wasn't about me, it was about what I could offer the company. Needless to say, I didn't get the position and I learned a hard lesson.

Good post!

By: craig

craig — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 14:42:26 +0000

Agree, almost more about good karma and what you can do for someone else. If you can get them a connection, information on something, tickets, etc. you will be remembered more for that and in the long run hopefully can gain from a networking connection. It's about establishing relationships, not what you want, because the reality is no one cares what you want.

By: Weekly Roundup - Almost Frozen Tomatoes Edition | Start Living Frugal

Weekly Roundup - Almost Frozen Tomatoes Edition | Start Living Frugal — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 10:20:44 +0000

[...] Networking is Never About You [...]

By: Weekly Roundup - Almost Frozen Tomatoes Edition | Start Living Frugal

Weekly Roundup - Almost Frozen Tomatoes Edition | Start Living Frugal — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 10:20:44 +0000

[...] Networking is Never About You [...]

By: bubelah

bubelah — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 11:48:43 +0000

To say that it is NEVER about you is quite strong. I think it is at least 50% about YOU. Take even non-professional relationships like friendships. YOU make friends because YOU enjoy their company, the way they make YOU feel about YOURSELF and how YOU spend YOUR time with them. It is true, though, that you should not expect anything in return but offer some.

By: Barry Wright, III

Barry Wright, III — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 08:07:27 +0000

Great post Steve. Especially for those of us in college (or younger), it's easy to see networking as a one-way street; a task we have to complete to get the job we want. That selfish outlook may work (at getting a job) but it's useless for building a true, value-sharing network (which has benefits far beyond landing that first job). Some people, as they gain perspective and experience, realize this, and start to give back, but it would be wonderful if we all had a give-first mindset from the start.