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Comment by ryanjshaw | Hacker News Reader

For me, a person who isn't a natural networker, this article seems to be missing a key element: what's the objective?

Reading articles like these is like reading the underpants gnome plan in South Park: 1. Network 2. ??? 3. Profit

Can somebody explain what step 2 is? For instance, I have a handful of very successful acquaintances. I always think there must be some way to leverage them, but I have no clue to what end. This is probably a really obvious and stupid question to most people, but completely eludes me.

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Step 2 could be:

You get a job offer without sending an application.

You get a contract offer out of the blue.

You hear of some great event, you would have missed otherwise.

You get invited somewhere, you would not have had access to.

You have more people to pitch for funding/investment.

You have more people to show your side project to.

In general, I think it mostly increase the amount of opportunities you receive. Note that most of those opportunities are probably crap/spam. Nevertheless, if you found a profitable game, it helps to play it more often.

I like Derek Sivers' take on it. Your next big break is going to come from someone you know, so get out there and know people.

Be helpful, and make sure people know what value you can create/provide. And they'll make the referral, often in valuable situations you can't even foresee or imagine.

Common question, not stupid at all. The answer in my experience:

2. Give (and Trust)

I'm not a fan of networking, but that's a long story I'm in the process of writing up. For any relationship building, however, the key to 'Profit' (whatever that means for you) is to give first. If you don't want to give - the relationship won't work. And if nobody wants to give ... Well, that's why most networking groups don't achieve 3. Profit

2a. You get more opportunities to network. The more people you talk to, the more people you get to talk to. (The opposite is also true: if you don't network, eventually you will be sidelined and spend your life alone, lonely and shivering in your cube, not using whatever skills, talents, or assets that you might have spent the time developing.)

Then, either:

2b1. While networking, you find an opportunity to use the wonderful skills or talents that you have. Yay! Win!

2b2. People know you. People like you. Even if you have no particular skills, talents, or assets, you will be given responsibilities. If you don't screw them up and keep networking, you will be given more. Yay! Win!

[Edit: This is all theoretical; I only have actual knowledge of the "lonely and shivering in your cube" part. I chose to pass the test, to diminish, and to remain Gladriel. 'Tis better to reign in my own personal hell than smooze in heaven.]

I've always seen networking in relation to the saying 'Luck favours the prepared'. Networking is part of the prepared bit.

Let them know if/when you're looking to change job, or ask them for introductions if there is someone that could be useful to know for your work. And make sure to reciprocate by offering up advice or help or introductions when you think something might be of use to them.

You might be surprised what might pop up.

E.g. almost all my jobs have been referrals from connections or people who I've worked with, or even who have worked for me, that have later hired me another place, but in several cases they didn't realise I might be an option until I made it clear I was looking. Don't assume friends will seek you out for jobs etc. just because it's a fit - they may think you're happy where you are and don't want to be presumptuous, or it may simply not have occurred to them.

Let's try to explain it.

2.1 They gain your trust

2.2 "Something" happens where they need a person (or, someone they know needs a person) they can trust and with your skills

Like going from CV to face-to-face, or better, person you actually talked to and knows more or less what they're good at

As someone who feels he has been really held back because of his fear of networking I think you have the order wrong:

1.??? 2. Network 3. Profit

Where 1. could be all sorts of things - come up with amazing business idea, write a book, start a new job, send your child to school (annoyingly, if you get on well with other parents at school, you child is more likely to be invited to birthday parties etc...), need some help decorating your house, etc..

#2 is under NDA. I'm damn serious here. Be wide minded when you attend those events, and large converging interests will meet.

>what's the objective?

Just so you know, you don't actually need one. Friendships are their own reward.

I don't know if we can consider the persons of our network as friends. I think most of them are acquaintances.

There can be overlap! I work with nerds and tend to befriend nerds (though certainly not exclusively), so it's no surprise that sometimes the spheres overlap.

2. Identify and pursue collaborative opportunities

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