Most of you don’t want to network. Introverts outnumber extroverts 50.8% to 49.3%. More men (54.1%) are introverts than women (47.5%). So let’s not call it networking. Call it getting out of your house!
You don’t have employers hanging around inside your house, do you? So why are you spending so much time behind the computer inside your house? That is not where the jobs are.
The Challenge
If the challenge is to leave your house at 8:00 am and not return until 5:00 pm, how would you spend your day? Honestly, what would you do?
I have had the opportunity to assist all levels of job seekers and the ones who leave the house are usually more successful. Gross generalization, I know. But they have a determined mindset. They are taking action, being proactive and taking risks every minute of the day to find a job.
Have A Plan
What I think you will find if you approach your day with this new mindset is that it will be difficult and frustrating to find ways to spend your day without a plan. After being frustrated and knowing that you can’t go home, you will start to make a plan. Gas costs money, so you don’t want to drive around without a plan. Coffee costs money too, so you don’t want to hang out at Starbucks all day.
Your plan will include visiting companies to learn about what they do, calling friends to meet, attending events, maybe even signing up for low cost classes.
I don’t want you to appear or feel desperate, I am hoping that this will inspire determination. To what extent will you go to find an opportunity to work? Wouldn’t you want to hire someone who was determined?
Hannah Morgan speaks and writes about job search and career strategies. She founded CareerSherpa.net to educate professionals on how to maneuver through today’s job search process. Hannah was nominated as a LinkedIn Top Voice in Job Search and Careers and is a regular contributor to US News & World Report. She has been quoted by media outlets, including Forbes, USA Today, Money Magazine, Huffington Post, as well as many other publications. She is also author of The Infographic Resume and co-author of Social Networking for Business Success.