A reader writes:
I’ve a networking/suggestions query. My firm’s been acquired and I’m fearful about impending layoffs. I’ve been fascinated by a return to grad college in any case so possibly that is the push I wanted, however will nonetheless want a brand new job earlier than then. My LinkedIn is a bit naked, however I’m a tough employee and fairly socialble, so I believe a lot of my outdated colleagues would have good issues to say. How do you suggest reaching out to former colleages and managers for issues like LinkedIn evaluations or a grad college letter of advice?
Do you suggest a chilly textual content/electronic mail that features some pleasantries however will get straight to the purpose about asking for a favor? Ought to I assessment them on LinkedIn first then ship a message asking for the favor to be returned? These really feel a bit transactional to me although. Do I ask if we are able to do a catch-up name after which disclose the ask (referral letter) on the decision — which feels a bit slimy just like the subtext is I solely needed to catch as much as ask for the favor?
And may the tactic change should you’ve labored with them not too long ago — round six months in the past? Versus if it’s been a 12 months or extra? And on the matter, how lengthy is simply too lengthy to ask for a LinkedIn assessment should you haven’t saved in touch?
Sorry for all of the questions, however networking usually looks like a minefield and I at all times overthink it!
First issues first: don’t put a ton of capital or effort into getting LinkedIn suggestions. They don’t carry any actual weight. You’re a lot better off asking contacts for different kinds of assist, like job leads (or references whenever you’re at that stage).
Subsequent, it’s fully regular to let lengthy stretches of time go by with out speaking with individuals you used to work with after which contact them out of the blue when one thing job-related comes up. This isn’t impolite! It’s how individuals usually do it. These aren’t social relationships, the place it might be impolite to disregard somebody for a 12 months after which ask them that will help you transfer out of your condominium. These are work relationships, that are ruled by completely different etiquette.
You do not want to faux that you’re contacting individuals to catch up after which slip within the request as soon as they’re speaking to you. Actually, doing that may come throughout as insincere and is extra prone to annoy individuals who would somewhat lower to the chase and discover out what you’re actually contacting them for.
So, sure — a textual content or electronic mail that features some transient pleasantries however will get pretty rapidly to the purpose about what you need to ask. That’s true whether or not it’s been six months or two years. If it’s nearer to the 2 years finish of issues, you’ll need to embrace a bit about what you’ve been as much as and in addition ask about them, however the fundamental format is similar. How lengthy can be “too lengthy” is a judgment name, nevertheless it’s in all probability for much longer than you suppose and it depends upon what you’re asking for. If somebody I labored with 10 years in the past contacted me for a reference now, typically it might really feel too way back to have the ability to present the form of nuanced information that’s really helpful … but when wouldn’t be too lengthy for different kinds of requests, like “I’m tremendous fascinated by Org X, noticed you labored for them some time again, and surprise what you realize about what they search for in llama analysts.”
Additionally, since you sound a little bit nervous about the entire thing, do not forget that with networking, the idea is at all times that there could also be alternative for give-and-take. You’re asking for a favor now, however they know they could be asking you for a favor in a 12 months. Persons are motivated to take care of these kinds of relationships partially as a result of they go each methods, and it advantages them so that you can suppose warmly of them and have good will towards them. Clearly should you by no means come by way of for them after they method you, their notion of that may change — however typically enterprise networking is based on an assumption of mutual good will, heat, and a need to help, inside motive.