Networking... A Four Letter Word To Me

I really dislike the word “networking”. I use dislike because I’m not supposed to hate. I have such a hard time grasping the concept that having the necessary skills, experience and education can’t get you a job that you are qualified for. I got my current job through my “network”, but how likely is it that my dream job is going to include someone in my network? Not very likely. Even though I don’t like certain aspects of networking, I do understand that it is expected and can be helpful when searching for a job.

What I found particularly successful in terms of networking was reaching out to people already in my life. People tend to be more willing to help if they have a vested interest or existing relationship. It’s better to reach out to a former co-worker than your mom’s friend’s sister’s cousin who works in HR. Your former co-worker might actually care that you are unemployed and if nothing else might get your resume into the hands of hiring managers. That cousin however, may not be willing to stick his or her neck out for someone they don’t know. During my unemployment I didn’t let pride keep me from talking to people about my struggles and ultimately that is what lead to my former co-worker contacting me about a position he had just gotten hired for and they were looking for additional people.

Another success tactic is one that I stumbled upon, a job search group. Each week the group of unemployed professionals meets and usually has a presentation or speaker from a local business. The presentation topics ranged anywhere from personal branding, to updating your Linked In profile to the importance of having your elevator speech prepared. Members of this group also have access to a certified resume expert that reviews your resume and offers tips on how to make improvements. During these meetings members also have the opportunity to introduce themselves and give a little of their background information. This is important because I might have knowledge of job that I’m not qualified for, but someone in the group could be an ideal candidate. There are many of these groups all across the country and some have specific target groups. For example, the one I was in was for people who either had management experience or were college graduates. Another example is groups for older workers, they sometimes have unique challenges and those need to be addressed separately.

So if you are like myself and tend to be anti-social, networking in the traditional sense can be a horrific experience. The idea of walking up to complete strangers with the intent of pulling them into your “network” is just too much for me and makes me extremely nervous. Focus on who you already know and join a group that will ease you into the expansion of your network. When you start your next job, continue to meet new people and before you know it, you could be that connection someone else needs.

The Side Effects of Unemployment

After a lengthy period of unemployment it can sometimes take years to recover from the effects of unemployment. Aside from the obvious negative financial aspects of being unemployed, unemployment can have lasting effects in other aspects of your life; physical, mental and spiritual.

From 2008-2012, I was unemployed for 20 months total; a six month stint, then did some contract work for almost 2 years, then another 14 months of unemployment. During this time I was without medical and dental insurance. While my physical health has remained pretty good, my dental health has always been a challenge and that didn’t change just because I didn’t have insurance. Even though I’ve been working for almost 2 years now, I am still trying to repair some of the problems that began while I was unemployed. Just last Monday, I had to have 3 fillings, two extractions and a root canal and still have more work that needs to be done. Despite having the mouth of a 70 year old, I am still smiling; it’s just not as big as it used to be. By spring, the transformation should be complete and the big smile will be back!

For a while, I really let the whole bad teeth thing mess with me mentally. I constantly berated myself for not doing more prior to being unemployed. Having teeth that are broken and cracked not only cause physical pain, but also made me feel bad about myself for a little while. For a short period of time, I thought that I would not be taken seriously and looked down upon by hiring managers if my teeth weren’t perfect. On occasion it still makes me a little sad that my mouth is in such bad shape, but I pull myself out of that because it is something that can be fixed and ultimately it doesn’t change my character or who I am.

So being unemployed wasn’t good for my teeth and made me experience some self doubt, one of the positives is that my faith was strengthened TREMENDOUSLY! Thankfully this has also been an after effect of unemployment. I am in a place of peace and understanding that only grace can provide. Had I not gone through this difficulty, who knows if my relationship with God would have developed like it has. I’m just thankful that it drew me near as opposed to pushing me away. I know that I’ve said it before, but I have to reiterate that if not for my time of unemployment I would still be floundering around, looking for fulfillment as opposed to having realized my purpose and pursuing that.

The side effects of unemployment can seem overwhelming, but many are superficial and can be fixed over time. Whether your issues are like mine or something totally different, as long as we have breath, we have the opportunity change our lives. As you look at the picture on my blog, know that behind that smile is pain, trials and tribulations, but in spite of it all, I still smile.