Networking With a Purpose : The Informational Interview Its Use, and Why it is Valuable

* RSS

Whether you’re getting a job, starting a career, or just getting through each week, networking is needed, and likewise, the ability to connect with those in our network is critical. The distinction is obvious. You know many people professionally and personally, but you are connected to only a fraction of those you know.

Networking is interacting with others to exchange information and develop contacts, especially to further one's career. It is an activity that can be acted upon with great or little success.

The best goal of networking is to develop contacts and connections and not just to gain value but to add value to the network. Effective networking requires interpersonal skills, which are considered soft skills essential to building and maintaining positive relationships. Networking uses fundamental soft skills such as good communication, interpersonal skills, positive thinking, and empathy.

Greedy people trigger feelings of not being enough for everyone. Generosity is triggered by focusing outward and requires seeing what others need and freely giving without expecting anything in return. Being generous is contagious and makes us feel good; we are better at making those around us feel good.

Editorial Review About Networking With a Purpose: The Informational Interview →

* RSS

‘A regional advisor in an Employment Center said of Networking With a Purpose: The Informational Interview.  Tell the advisors and job seekers to use the information in this book to stress the importance of the informational interview. It's a useful tool for connecting with a professional in one field of career interest and asking them questions to learn about career paths, industries, and potential opportunities. These interviews can happen socially, at an office, on the phone, or via Zoom.  There is no reason for our job candidates to be unprepared in a job interview using this approach in their preparation.”

‘

‘

Networking With a Purpose is Needed to Confirm Authenticity →

* RSS

Soft skills such as interpersonal abilities are essential for building and maintaining positive relationships. Networking, an integral part of the workspace, involves multiple soft skills, including effective communication, positive thinking, empathy, and interpersonal skills.

People motivated by greed often make others feel like there is not enough to go around. Soft skills such as interpersonal abilities are essential for building and maintaining positive relationships.

Networking, an integral part of the workspace, involves multiple soft skills, including effective communication, positive thinking, empathy, and interpersonal skills.

If the purpose of networking is shared and likewise if the networker shares back what is learned, it confirms the authenticity of the contact.

People motivated by greed often make others feel like there is not enough to go around.

Networking With a Purpose: The Informational Interview, Its Use, and Why it is a Valuable Tool →

* RSS

Reviewed in the United States on August 5, 2023

5.0 out of 5 Stars “Unlocks the potential for your future”

This book offers invaluable insights for career changers facing the challenge of finding new opportunities. The book highlights the power of informational interviews, an underrated tool in the job market. Job seekers can build a strong network and gain a competitive edge with a step-by-step guide and sample questions. The strategies presented in the book go beyond landing a job and providing long-term career success. Don't wait until you're out of work to nurture your network; start informational networking now and unlock its potential for your future.

Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2023

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Have Book When Looking For New Opportunities!

“Networking with a Purpose: The Informational Interview is the book everyone looking for a job needs. Jones explains that many hiring managers love to hire from within or hire people recommended to them by someone they trust. In these situations, these jobs rarely reach the posting stage. So, how do you land one? That’s where the informational interview and networking come into play. Jones gives excellent, practical advice to help you get into the industries you want and get one step closer to landing your dream job.

Jones’s writing is fantastic. It is so easy to read. He does a fantastic job explaining things and providing relatable examples. Every college or high school grad looking to enter the workforce must read this book. Learning to network appropriately will give them a leg up in the job market.”

Video for Networking With a Purpose

Eleanor Roosevelt's Advice a key message of this book: Networking With a Purpose

* RSS

The book: Networking With a Purpose: The Informational Interview, Its Use, and Why it is a Valuable Tool discusses that the traditional purpose of this type of interview is to do relevant research by engaging those on the front lines of the targeted subject matter. This is a time to research, find the right contacts, and understand all that is unique to the subject, even the terminology that is common. In most cases, you’re not looking to get a yes to your idea or need; your looking to understand all that relates to your goal and even where and with what additional preparation you need to go to ask for a yes.

Finally, while considering networking strategies, heed Eleanor Roosevelt’s words “Never allow a person to tell you no who doesn’t have the power to say yes.”

I like this quote partly because it shows a meaningful way to think about networking and illustrates an important principle. If you’re asking people to hire you or help you in your job search or research and they’re not in a position to do so, you’ve probably done a poor networking job. Informational interviews and asking your connections the right questions will take you to the “right” person who can say yes!