Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter channels the voice of Marlon Brando in, “The Godfather” to make a point about a mistake people make when they network.
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I met have a little fun today and offer job search tip in the process. The phone is going to be around the idea of job search lessons from “The Godfather.”
One of the best ones comes early in the movie when someone comes to the Godfather to ask for help… Marlon Brando adopts a look that is wonderful and teaches one of the best lessons of networking.
“You never even invite me to your house for a cup of coffee and now you ask me for a favor.”
What is he telling him? You only contact me when you need me; the rest of the time, I’m nothing to you. That’s how many job hunters go about networking. They go out there and repeatedly ask, “Can you help me? Can you help me? Can you help me?” The person that there networking with, that there reaching out to respond by thinking, “You never even invite me to your house for a cup of coffee and now you ask me for a favor. Like I’m supposed to do something for you something”
In other words, you are being selfish. You’re showing no consideration. No respect for the other person.
I don’t know how it is for you but I received calls from people every few years when they’re looking for job. If I call them and ask for help with the search I’m involved with, their responses not to return my phone call. Why should I help them?
“Your earn a fee.”
I can earn plenty of fees and I do. The question is, “How should I conduct myself?”
You want to work toward creating and building a relationship of trust where people want to help you. Just waiting until someone calls you up or you call someone, you can expect the same response that the Godfather gives, “You never even invite me to your house for a cup of coffee and now you ask me for a favor.”
Again, don’t be selfish. Don’t be a mooch. Treat your relationships well and they will be very happy to help you. That will take time but hopefully you can learn this lesson and don’t have to repeat it year in and year out, lurching from one desire the network with the person to another and, instead, making it a part of your life
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Do you think employers are trying to help you? You already know you can’t trust recruiters—they tell you as much as they think you need to know to take the job they after representing so they collect their payday.
The skills needed to find a job are different yet complement the skills needed to do a job.
Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter has been a career coach and recruiter for what seems like one hundred years.
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