Finding hidden networking opportunities
A couple of weeks ago, my family and I went to New Orleans for spring break. Can I get an amen for vacation?!
Outside of the memorable food, music and alligators–our family of lifelong New Yorkers was struck by the friendliness and openness of all the people we met–even in the briefest of conversations.
One of these exchanges was with the easygoing thirty year old who drove us from the airport to our hotel. In addition to telling us about all the off the beaten path spots we should hit on our trip, he shared that he had been slowly paying his way through college to become an engineer and would be graduating this coming May.
He announced that he would be heading to Detroit to start his dream job at a top American Automaker right after graduation. How did he get this role?
Well–he used his driving job (that has been also paying his college tuition) as a way to constantly be networking. After years of talking to anyone and everyone who came through his car, he happened upon four lucky days last year, when he drove around the CEO of this car company. They got to know each other–and like each other. Several interviews later, this open, curious and SMART car-lover has a plan for his next exciting adventure!
As you can imagine, I couldn’t shake this story the entire vacation.
Many of my clients really struggle with networking. They fear asking people for help. Going outside of their comfort zones.
Yet sometimes, all you need to do is talk and get interested in the people who are already around you. They may even be the people who are in your comfort zone.
They’re friends of friends that you meet at a small gathering.
They are the other parents at school drop offs and birthday parties.
They are the people on line waiting for Beignets at Cafe Du Monde.
For my fellow New Yorkers, I get it. Our hard, closed off shell is part of our charm. But, if you can channel your inner New Orleans curiosity just a smidge, you may meet the CEO of your future company. I’m here to say…it does happen!