Networking - people not data

    I've spent the last couple months meeting with old coworkers, new acquaintances and potential employers. I followed the advice of a mentor and grabbed a copy of the "20 Minute Networking Meeting". This book helped lay down the framework for how I should be conducting my networking meetings. The general gist is to optimize meeting with someone where both parties leave with a benefit. This then will slowly not only build out your personal network but also those that you meet. 

    You might ask, why is networking so important? Well, as soon as you can come to terms that it's _who_ you know and not _what_ you know, then the easier it is to find the next opportunity! For a real example, I applied to this one company and didn't get anything but an automated email. Three weeks pass, still haven't had any communication from that company. I then had a mutual connection and used the 20MNM framework to conduct the meeting. Within about 30 minutes of ending our call, I receive an email from that company that they would like to schedule an interview. 

    Another benefit to the networking is not only will you receive help with expanding your network, you get to also help others in their journey. The reward of helping them might not happen immediately, but you will definitely be someone in their pocket to reach out to when they have something that you can help them with. Again with a real example, I was dropping my kiddo off to his basketball practice and was talking to his friend's father. He had approached me because he had this problem that he was trying to solve. Once we finished talking, I got the requirements needed to solve his problem and now I am currently working on that project to hopefully meet his standards and to also make his life easier in the future for his current job.

    We get so caught up with our job that it becomes very easy to forget about our long term career. Networking only takes about 20 minutes to meet and you can do it over lunch, a coffee, or some other sociable event.

    Anyway, this me just jotting down something that has helped me find more fulfillment out of my career. Until the next one!

- Alex