4 ms·

Yeah, there are explicit "networking events," which are generally horrible because there's no subtlety to them. Then there's tech meetups or conferences, where

by et-al 9y ago

Yeah, there are explicit "networking events," which are generally horrible because there's no subtlety to them. Then there's tech meetups or conferences, where you and I might nerd out over common problems we've had to solve, and in the process realise that we might enjoy working with the other person. The thing is, one has to put in the work and put themself out there. Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.

pasbesoin 9y ago
Yes. But college/university career counseling staffs and unemployment bureaus of various sorts and the like leave a lot of people with an early, negative impression of networking. People who may have had a lot of opportunity in their life/careers and who tend to fall into productive and interesting networking scenarios, should at least know that for a lot of the... well, I can really only speak for the U.S.... by dint of experience, "networking" -- at least as a formal and promoted activity -- is a dirty word. And having quickly looked at the OP story, I also recall some very uncomfortable feelings, watching someone aggressively pursue a senior executive's email or phone number. E.g. this fellow or gal comes to a friend's purely social event, and ends up having to handle undesired and poorly couched attempts at professional connections. And the few times I've been talked into attempting to "work the system" in such a fashion? Still make me shudder. P.S. Or the person who's picked up their license as a mortgage broker, and the conversations you attempt to dance around whenever your own looming home purchase comes up. And... Even at the everyday level, a side of "networking" that's kind of a pain to deal with. Anyway... I mostly agree with the article. Have something they're genuinely interested in.
gaius 9y ago
Everyone at a networking event is looking for a leg up, but the people who have something to trade don't attend networking events.

by et-al 9y ago

pasbesoin 9y ago

Yes. But college/university career counseling staffs and unemployment bureaus of various sorts and the like leave a lot of people with an early, negative impression of networking. People who may have had a lot of opportunity in their life/careers and who tend to fall into productive and interesting networking scenarios, should at least know that for a lot of the... well, I can really only speak for the U.S.... by dint of experience, "networking" -- at least as a formal and promoted activity -- is a dirty word. And having quickly looked at the OP story, I also recall some very uncomfortable feelings, watching someone aggressively pursue a senior executive's email or phone number. E.g. this fellow or gal comes to a friend's purely social event, and ends up having to handle undesired and poorly couched attempts at professional connections. And the few times I've been talked into attempting to "work the system" in such a fashion? Still make me shudder. P.S. Or the person who's picked up their license as a mortgage broker, and the conversations you attempt to dance around whenever your own looming home purchase comes up. And... Even at the everyday level, a side of "networking" that's kind of a pain to deal with. Anyway... I mostly agree with the article. Have something they're genuinely interested in.

gaius 9y ago

Everyone at a networking event is looking for a leg up, but the people who have something to trade don't attend networking events.