If you’re a person near the beginning of your career and work in an office, like I do, you’re a young professional. You’re a young professional, I’m not. Oh, I’ve been to the meetings, I’ve endured the mind numbing business speak, the wide eyed intensity of career motivated women, the back slapping, the fake smiling, and even been in a few pictures with you people. But I am certainly not one of you. I can’t think like you.
I don’t need a bunch of new acquaintances who are probably sizing me up in their minds for the possible ways in which I might be of use to them in the future. I don’t want to get done with eight hours in the office, then go somewhere to repeat to any number of people where I work, what I do, if I like it, and if I can put so-and-so in contact with so-and-so.
Society seems to think that business and social networking is a huge part to a person’s success in his or her career, but I think it’s highly overrated. If people invested the same amount of time learning more about their industry, honing their jobs skills, or taking classes that they do networking, I think they would come out further ahead. Ironically, the people who could help really these people aren’t there. Why? Because they got successful by not wasting time networking!
I know there are many good reasons for young professionals groups such as the charity work they do, but why do most young professionals go? Because they need help. Help getting a new job, help getting a raise, help finding a reason to feel worthwhile. I’m dressed in a tie and drinking martinis with people similarly dressed. I look so successful, I feel so successful, oh life is grand!
Ironically, the people who could help these people the most aren’t there. Why? Because they got successful by not wasting time networking! I got my new position without any networking. I applied to a bunch of jobs, mostly off of craigslist, heard nothing back from several, interviewed at a few, and received offers from two. I have a good resume and good references. I didn’t need to go through my friend’s brother’s old roommate from college’s sister to find a good lead.
Work yourself before working others.
Technorati Tags: career, young professional, networking, resume, Work
February 7th, 2007 at 10:03 pm
Amen Brother!
I am a hiring manager. I need people with skills - not people who know people who know people with skills.