3 Easy Ways To Network Over Age 50 That Really Work

3 Easy Ways To Network Over Age 50 That Really Work 3 Easy Ways To Network Over Age 50 That Really Work Wouldn’t it feel great to land a job today as smoothly as you did 20 years ago? You know, back when you networked your way into everything, showed a few people your resume when they asked for it, and went on a handful of interviews? So what happened to good, old-fashioned networking? We have the Internet now, which seems like it would make networking easier, but the reality is all the Internet does is put you smack dab in the middle of 98% of the exact people who are competing against you for the same job you want. The other problem with the Internet is it makes you way too comfortable. As in, sitting in your bedroom watching CNN or Fox while letting your fingers do the walking around LinkedIn and Glassdoor. You also can’t comfortably rely on the Internet putting you on the fast track to where you want to go. But you also can’t comfortably rely on the networking approaches you used in the past. I say a big must, then, if you need to land a job over age 50, is to get uncomfortable. The competition is only getting stiffer, you (and everybody) are only getting older, and the stakes (translation: your salary) should only be getting higher. All those elements being the case, now is the time to get out of your comfort zone. I know nobody wants to do that, but nobody wants to be job searching for a year and a day either. So let’s talk about 3 simple ways to network over age 50 that actually work, so you can land the job you want. Cast A Wide Net (Just Not The Way You Think!) Typically, casting a wide net has to do with applying for several (too many) different job titles, under the belief that you can adapt to practically anything. That’s another imposter job search strategy to address on another day. Casting a wide net when it comes to networking, though, means blanketing literally everyone you know â€" EVERYONE. Just like how weight loss experts say people who keep a food diary lose more weight, start writing a log of everyone you come into contact with when you pass out of your front door: every single person. Then look at your log and think about who you run into regularly. Your networking contacts need not be limited to people you know from work.The conversations you begin can be casual. Don't stir up anxiety in your own mind trying to figure out how to ask the mail carrier if he knows the VP of IBM. Be normal. Be natural. Be social. You Know More People Than You Think You Know Expand your definition of “know” to include “know of.” And more importantly, think of the reverse: more people know of you than you even realize â€" especially if you’re in a church or social club. Consider yourself as knowing those people even if you haven’t had a conversation with them yet. You know them simply by virtue of being in the same community. These are not strangers. Leverage those people. People are naturally happy to be of help. After helping, they walk away feeling good. They do not turn around and say, Gee, Steve looked really desperate. I can't believe he asked me about a job. Most people do not think negatively to that degree. Share And Share Alike “What seems to work for other people just isn’t working for me. I’m networking, but the people I’m coming into contact with are not decision makers, and they’re literally half my age.”Networking doesn't work when you're either in front of the wrong crowds, or saying the wrong (translation: totally unspecific) thing. Your goal is not to network with other jobseekers, necessarily you're all in the same boat. Your objective needs to be to network with a purpose.When you do have a conversation, instead of keeping things general and worried about asking for too much or looking desperate, think about what to say that is both not long-winded and specific. It takes all of 2 sentences to tell people what you want. “I’ve been in technology sales for the last 10 years, so ideally I’d like to come on board with a company like Salesforce, McAfee, or Adobe. If you know someone at the VP level there, that would be helpful.” Clear and concise. There are any number of situations in which people say they wanted to help, but didn't know what to do. So here you have an opportunity to tell them exactly what you need. Use the language above to turn your networking into a vehicle that drives you towards not just whomever that's how you end up only meeting people who are half your age and can't help you, but towards relevant people who can impact the decision to hire you. Job search can take the average person 22 weeks or more. And if you're over age 50, tack on 20% more time to that. But you don't have to be average. And there's no way your job search has to take anywhere near that long. Find out the 5 Secrets Smart Jobseekers Age 50+ Know That Make The Job Search EASY! See how candidates age 52, 56, and 59 all got hired in less than 6 weeks. Learn, so you can do the same thing.