Networking Stories: Surprise Networking Connections

Why networking stories? Because so many people think networking has to be a focused, effortful — sometimes even painful — attempt to connect. But there is so much more to the art of networking!

Basically networking connections can be made anywhere, anytime. And what works best is to open your mind to connecting real person to real person … without an end goal in mind. At least not all the time.

So why networking stories?

Because reading about non-traditional networking stories may help open you up to possibility. And new ways of thinking about networking — in all its forms.

Also, these are actual stories that happened to me. And I like telling them. Plus they show you that networking really can create potential new career contacts. As well as, on occasion, lifelong friends.

Homeless woman networking connection??? Yup!

I would often see Alice on the street near my apartment, a pleasant-looking woman who happened to be homeless. After giving her an occasional dollar now and then, I eventually stopped to say hello and chat a bit. This became a frequent ritual we both seemed to enjoy.

Alice was once a nurse who fell on hard times because of substance abuse. And probably other issues. She didn’t talk about her past much — just casual mentions. But as time went on, I learned she was someone who other homeless people in the neighborhood turned to for medical advice and kindness.

How Alice became a networking story

Well … after I left a job I hated, I mentioned something to Alice about looking for a new type of job during one of our conversations. Turns out she had a brother who was a lawyer — and she asked if I wanted to meet with him and see if he had a job for me. Or maybe knew someone who could help me.

I’ve got to admit she shocked me. But clearly she understood networking better than most people. In fact, she did her own version right there on the street, day after day. Helping herself and others.

While I didn’t take her up on her kind offer, the point I want to make is that you never know where opportunity might come from. Also … there can be a lot more to a person than you see at first glance.

BBQ networking connection story

Tired of working in banking and the business world, I really was looking for a career change. Something I could sink my teeth into. Something I could believe in with all my heart. So I set my sights on working for a non-profit. And was open to what I might find. It wasn’t easy back in the 1980s convincing folks in non-profit that my evil corporate ways might be useful. But i was determined.

Still, you have to have fun. So when friends invited me to a barbecue, I said sure. And I went intending to just relax and enjoy myself. As a bit of an introvert, talking to strangers can be hard for me. But the people were friendly, and I felt at ease — even to the point of sharing my quest for career satisfaction.

One of the people who overheard me (I wasn’t even speaking directly to him), told me about a job opening at a literacy organization. While I didn’t get that job because I lacked enough relevant experience, the interviewer liked me and suggested me for ANOTHER job in literacy.

And the other job turned me down too. Again, they wanted direct literacy experience. But I impressed them a good deal (even wrote a special article about one of their projects to try to overcome lack of experience), and after the person they hired turned out to be wrong for the job, they gave me a chance.

Applying my transferable skills (something I’ve since learned we can use to help market ourselves), I managed to help improve both their financial and organizational situations. And I became dear friends with the Executive Director, an invaluable extra.  .

Board member of same non-profit

Even though I enjoyed my time at the literacy organization, my heart was set on working in homeless services. Knowing Alice affected me deeply. Still, I did my best for the job I had.

Turns out that one of the Board members worked for the New York City division that handled homeless services. And, during friendly discussions once I got to know some of the Board members better, I mentioned my interest — without making it seem like I didn’t also love my literacy work.

When a job opening came up at his agency that he thought I would be right for, the Board member recommended me for it. And I got it. I loved the work, even if the agency itself could be frustrating at times.

So a barbecue and Alice and just following possibilities got me to what I really wanted. And that’s what networking can do for you. And you never know where the next great connection might come from.

Yes … I have more networking stories

But I think that’s a good enough taste for now. Just know that, as my career progressed, a significant number of my jobs and / or job connections came from people I met all the way through my life. Even in the most unexpected places.

Networking — or at least the roots of it — happens anywhere:

• In jobs.
• At school.
• Through friends.
• At parties.
• Online.
• Volunteering.
• Support groups.
• Professional groups.
• Standing in line at a grocery store.

And those connections grew slowly over time. Getting to know each other better. Passing on information about opportunities. Recommending me for actual job openings. Offering support when called upon. Or just listening and helping to lift each others spirits.

Strong networking connections mature over time. And they usually evolve best without a specific goal in mind. Just knowing it’s ok to reach out. Even for no reason at all. And always mutual … the best kind of networking builds on knowing that you are there for each other. .

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