Responding to everyone who wants to network with you
I don’t collect business cards (or “connections” online), just for the sake of it. Neither do I accept every invitation I get to join a network, online or offline.
I’m selective - I prefer a deeper working relationship with a small group of people.
Primarily because I have limited time and energy, and I want to be sure that I make the best use of my resources.
And I want to be sure that I can take care of the relationships I do build.
So when people approach me, especially online, wanting to network with me, the first thing I ask is “Why?” (in a nicer way, of course!)
Many don’t even get back to me — so that takes care of that!
For those who do respond, we decide together if there’s a fit. If not, we part ways — for the time being anyway.
For example, someone wanted to network with me because he thought I could help him find new prospects. He was looking for contacts in a specific industry and within a particular geographical area.
I didn’t think I was the best fit for what he wanted, and I told him why.
I offered to introduce him to another person who I thought was better suited for what he wanted. He accepted my offer. I made the introduction. And we were done.
So if you find yourself getting overwhelmed, trying to keep up with all the requests you get from people wanting to network with you, first ask “why”.
If they aren’t willing or able to explain, that’s a “red flag”.
In this case, decide with care how you want to proceed.
Comments? I’d love to hear them! Please submit them below.
Till next week,
– Sri
July 30th, 2006 at 7:29 am
Dear Sri,
Lately I have been receiving more and more and requests from other recruiters with whom I have had no prior contact to “connect.” Their reason basically is that they wish to meet/use my contacts for their business. That’s it. One even suggested that they “meet” my clients!
Obviously that does not offer much incentive to me. I have taken to suggesting that we get to know each other first, develop a relationship and then see if we wish to take this to the next level. Without exception, they all disappeared into the woodwork - except for one who waited two weeks and suggested that we connect o n LinkedIn again.
Of course, I wish other recruiters to be successful - but not this way.Most of my connections are folks with whom we have done business for years and share scientific relationships.
With best wishes.
Sondra Fuller
Pure Bioscience Recruiting LLC