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

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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.

The Currency of Real Networking is not Greed but Generosity

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Interpersonal skills 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.

Most people understand that motivation is an interpersonal skill needed to build and work with a network. However, the motive behind motivation needs to be clarified because the motive is the stimulus to action. In order to be effective, motivation has to come from something deeper than a feeling: it has to come from a motive. A motive is what is inside a person that leads them to pursue a specific outcome. It is important to consider that everyone has different expectations that fuel motives.

If those in your network have agreed to be a network contact with you, either verbally or just implied through your association, they will eventually feel that you’re motivated. If you only intend to seek answers and get advice in your network and have no interest in another person as an individual, that becomes a conflicting motive. Networking is a two-way street, and you need to care about those people in your network. People seeking answers through networking find many things that they may not be interested in but would interest those inside their network.

Greedy people trigger feelings of there 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 and better at making those around us feel good.

Networking With a Purpose is Needed to Confirm Authenticity →

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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 →

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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.”

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

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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!

The Currency of Networking is Not Greed but Generosity

Interpersonal skills are considered soft skills and are the ability to build and maintain positive relationships with others. Networking comprises multiple soft skills that are fundamental to the workspace, such as good communication, interpersonal skills, positive thinking and empathy.

Greedy people trigger feelings of there not being enough for everyone. Generosity requires seeing what others need and freely giving without expecting anything in return.

Each one of us has triggers that originate within ourselves. However, other people are not responsible for our trigger responses. The difference is simple: who benefits? With generosity, the focus is outward. You want to lavish the one you love with both things they need.

A Book for Everyone Starting a Career or Planning to Switch Careers

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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.

The definition of networking is interacting with other people to exchange information and develop contacts, especially to further one's career. Networking is an activity. 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.

Sometimes Your “Connections Wanted” Will Find You

Algorithms read the SEOs off online posts and profiles, and if you make it clear what you are qualified to do and your skills, it is indeed possible for the best network connection to find you.

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

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Product Description

Sometimes employers prioritize experienced candidates already employed, giving them an advantage as passive job seekers. When they do this, they show that they are afraid of making mistakes and believe that being already employed means they will be a good fit for their posted job.  Internal candidates also have advantages because they are informed and understand the opportunity well before jobs are posted and considered open.

The Informational Interview Skills you will learn in this guide will help you communicate clearly with the people interviewing you. In addition, you'll learn how to convey valuable information from the first meeting, building your network even if you wait to get the job.

You can always work harder, but it's essential to work smarter, too. Building valuable connections is an integral part of all aspects of the business. What you know will only get you so far—who you know is just as, if not more, important. This book contains skills and strategies for building meaningful connections with business associates, potential employers, and more.

Networking With a Purpose: The Informational Interview, Its Use, and Why it is a Valuable Tool explores the value of interviewing and talking to the people who have the job you want or who work in the industry in which you would like to work. These highly effective networking and communication skills aren't just for that one critical interview—they're for life. 

As you build your network, you gain connections and a competency that will help you throughout your day-to-day existence and career. In addition, you'll be using these lessons long after you've signed your first contract! With the confidence to complete tasks, win jobs, and rub shoulders with the best in the business, your social situations will feel smoother than ever.

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

Review 1

Navigating the job market can often feel like a ruthless, cutthroat experience but ironically, many job positions are never even posted. While certain positions seem can seem limited in the job market, that might not be so. Many people land jobs that are never even posted by taking the time to network correctly and get to know people in their chosen industry. This is certainly not something that we are taught to do as we graduate either from high school or college and begin to enter the workforce.

Learning to network correctly can open up many more opportunities than what the job market would lead you to believe is available. That’s where Brent M. Jones comes in. Jones is a globally recognized consultant and career development advisor. He understands the job market and hiring process in a more clear way than most people and he understands what it takes to land your dream job. Jones explains that to break into an industry you should conduct informational interviews where you seek out people in your chosen field and interview them to better understand the industry, make networking connections, and find out what it takes to get where you want to go. It will also give you insight into what hiring managers are looking for.

In Networking with a Purpose: The Informational Interview, Jones explores the value of interviewing and talking to the people that have the job that you want or who work in the industry in which you would like to work. Understanding clearly what it takes to get to your dream job will help you make the career moves and find the companies that will get you to success. The knowledge Jones has about pursuing your career or even changing career is so beneficial to anyone looking for a new job whether it be their first or their fifth. Jones shares his knowledge in a clear and very readable way. He is excellent at writing in a way that makes the concepts that he is sharing easy to understand and easy to apply in your own life. This is the book that everyone starting a new career or even those switching careers needs to read. It is one of the most valuable books for your career that you can read.

Review 2

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.

Reviews Applied to the 1st Edition of Networking with a Purpose →

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Ruzanna Krdilyan Hernandez, Ed.D.

4.0 out of 5 stars Great resource for someone who is in the job market

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 17, 2022

Verified Purchase

I enjoyed how the information about the importance of networking was presented. Networking is not just for job seekers; it is essential for all professionals. I especially loved the 32 questions that the author listed in the "interview" section of the book. Those questions can be helpful conversation starters for someone who is more of an introvert.

Kindle Reader

4.0 out of 5 stars Recommended for any professional

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 25, 2021

Verified Purchase

“One of the biggest challenges job seekers may face is that the vast majority of open positions are never posted or publicized.”
The key is to network with a purpose. But how do you find the “right” ones that say “yes?”
Quick, clear, succinct, and concise, this book provides various methods and tools for networking. From how to get an interview to the interview itself, this book gives an easy road map to lead the way.
RecommendedIt is recommended for any professional.

Donna Glass

5.0 out of 5 stars Great. It is a resource tool

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 20, 2022

Verified Purchase

This book would be an excellent resource for new grads who need more work experience. It teaches them how to prepare for an interview, starting with learning the industry first. It also discusses networking and gives 32 questions that'llto helpthat you land a job.That’ll help them.
After you read the book, you’ll be better equipped to ace an interview and get hired.

Patty Lesser

5.0 out of 5 stars Looking for a Job? A Must Read!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 8, 2022

Brent Jones’ work on networking is a must-read for anyone looking for a job. He explains the importance of finding people in your industry and interviewing them to learn what you need to obtain a job in that company or industry.
He stresses the importance of learning about the job’s industry, the company, and the job itself.
Jones offers 32 questions you can ask at an interview, and they are all essential. However, question 9, about “differential treatment between male and female,” is not one I recommend asking. On its own, it’s a very touchy subject, and you could turn people off.
I’m pleased he stresses the need to send a “thank you” note after the interview. These cards are always appreciated.

Borba Souza

5.0 out of 5 stars. It. was quite educational.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 18, 2022

This is an excellent tool for assisting adults and teenagers in preparing themselves for the vocations they want. Networking is compelling, but unfortunately, most people know how to utilize it effectively. This book will be helpful to you. It might be an excellent addition for homeschooling families with high school pupils interested in it. It would give them a leg up on the competition in the future.

Brandon Street

5.0 out of 5 stars Much needed practical techniques for networking

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 3, 2021

As a leader in career services, I can attest to the need for practical networking techniques. This book provides simple techniques that anyone can use to get their foot in the door of businesses that often seem closed. I appreciate how simple the author outlines strategies to prepare for and carry out informational interviews.

Katie C. Nelson

VINE VOICE

5.0 out of 5 stars Beneficia step-by-step guide to getting the job you want

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 22, 2021

Plenty of books talk about networking, but this one focuses on networking with a purpose and gives you step-by-step instructions for how to get to the right people for the best results. I recommend this book to anyone who plans to change jobs or careers. It's also useful for those who want to improve their networking skills.

Steve Bowman

5.0 out of 5 stars Logical. solutions to finding a proper job

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 17, 2021

The "right" people can say YES! What a concept! This is a well-organized method to help organize one’s thoughts and actions to apply and interview for your desired job. When you read this, you think, “Why didn't I think of that...it makes perfect sense?" That's why we have authors like Brent Jones to remind us of these things. WELL DONE!

Amazon Customer in India. It is

5.0 out of 5 stars. A simple beginner's guide

Reviewed in India on April 2, 2022

Verified Purchase

If you are starting your career and looking for help with networking, this book will significantly help. I liked it because it provided bite-sized information. It is to the point.