Ironically, that’s the name of the first chapter to _The Lonely American_.

Linking up with people in the aforementioned 70′s used to be fairly easy. People had time for one another. The networking was done without knowing it by that name nor “informational interviews.”

It has become fashionable to say that one does not have time for one’s spouse, one’s kids, etc. especially now with rising unemployment. I do not fault those people who never bothered networking until they lost their jobs. It’s understandable, especially in climates and cultures that celebrate the person who works 70 hours a week.

Strategically speaking, I’ve seen some who do get ahead and make networking contacts specifically take on assignments where they are seen by multiple persons in their industry and related industries too during those 70+ hours.

Meanwhile, I do find it interesting how studies say in 1985, the average person could name at least 2 to 5 extremely close friends to call for an emergency, e.g., to help them change a tire. Nowadays, the same person may have 500+ friends on Facebook yet no one to assist with a flat. This definitely has repercussions in the “catastrophic event” of suddenly needing a job, particularly if you were the kind who worked, worked, worked and neglected your network trying to maintain your job.

Since some time management courses have become popular as people try to do more with less, I’d love to see the entry “Build job network” as an entry in those seminars.

48. Who does the work you want to do?
All the corn pone “wisdom” about job change and career development comes up short of this simple truth: The best help you’ll get in your search for a new job will come from people who do the work you want to do. They will teach you:

What the work is all about
What it takes to be successful at it
How to apply your existing skills to that work
How to develop additional skills you will need
How to avoid wasting your time in your search for the right job
Who can hire you
How to meet the people who can hire you
How to prepare a demonstration of your relevant abilities
What to expect in an interview
What to expect from the job
How to win the job

All you need do to get this wonderful advice is find someone who does the work you want to do, and ask for it. Why waste time doing anything else? With all this help available from real experts, who needs career counselors, want ads, resumes or headhunters?

Any new job should start with this question: Who does the work you want to do?

Call this interaction anything you like, but don’t get hung up on the name. Make the connections, and leave your resume in the car.

‘Unmet needs… you anticipate’? Reminds me of the memo to all project managers to ‘submit a list of all unforeseen problems at the outset of every project’!

Rather you want to approach each business interaction as an equal player in a fruitful discussion. If you enter as a job seeker, you are putting yourself at a disadvantage as a subordinate or worse, a beggar. As the one asking for the appointment, you want to be prepared with topics of mutual interest and you want to be sure to give the employer something that will be valuable to them, both because it politely reciprocates their time and it may be a way to etch you into their memory so that the good impression you make stays on their radar screen as suitable opportunities surface in the future.

You are far more apt to benefit from exploratory meetings if the target contact is given a reason to find you remarkable. If you are memorable then you’ll get a lot more mileage than if you merely transact business a single time.

How is informational interviewing different than networking? To me, there are striking similarities. Each requires that the person initiating the connection should not just be taking or asking, but also giving to the other party. The emphasis should be on developing a relationship, not focused on a one time only transaction ( no job for me, ta ta to you!) So as Nick said so perfectly, do not put your contact on the spot asking for a job lead, rather approach the meeting as a chance to exchange information. Believe me everyone can see through attempts to camouflage a job searching expedition. Avoid awkwardness and rejection by making certain all your dialogues are meaningful and valuable to both parties.

Debra Feldman, JobWhiz, Executive Talent Agent

I have always hated the term “informational interview” and the way it is presented as a way of getting your foot in the door with an organization, though. Part of the problem I have with networking in general as it’s described by many job hunting books is that it seems all about taking and not at all about giving. As a job hunter, I realize that I will be on the receiving end mostly, and that my turn to give will be when I’m working in the field, but I prefer that such transactions happen with people I know or who are close friends of close friends rather than people whose names I’ve been able to pry out of mere acquaintances.

When I begin an active job hunt, I will need to get information from my network about specific organizations. That will make the standard informational interview even less attractive because I will be in the position of looking for work rather than just information. Then I will only be comfortable talking to people who are known well by people I know well.

I am calling people who have had previous interactions with me (all positive, I am hoping and assuming), and their willingness to talk to me is based as much on personal loyalty, and the knowledge that I probably have some good inside information on the local civic environment they can use, as much as anything else.

But, yes, everybody I meet with knows I am looking for job and/or consulting leads, although not with them (so that takes the pressure off). I think I would probably approach it differently if these were cold calls to people who did not know me.

**I am moving on to explore new directions, challenges and opportunities.**

That tells me you want to meet because you’re looking for a job. Now, there’s nothing wrong with that – but come out and tell me. Or leave it off the table entirely and don’t put me on the spot.

“After X years leading Y Organization, I am moving on to explore new directions, challenges and opportunities. I’m hoping we might catch up and schedule some time together. I have uncovered some interesting things I’d like to tell you about, and at the same time would like your feedback on how you feel I might best continue my contributions in the non-profit, government and public affairs sectors. So, I’d like to sit down with you one of these days to chat and get some ideas—pick your brain and garner some advice. Can I buy you a cuppa coffee? I will be in touch soon to see when we can set something up.”

About half the people I send this email to respond almost immediately without a follow-up phone call to schedule something. I have met with 90% of the people I outreached to. This is how I have been doing it.