from AskMyDaddy

Do supernetworkers contribute to bad networking?

You asked

I also believe that a greater porportion is due to irresponsible networking on the part of those that are considered "supernetworkers" or whatever you wish to call them.

I remember when I came to linkedin, I wished to meet individuals from all sectors and cultures but, I also wished to meet recruiters as I had a need for a position. Well I met the first goal and while I ended up with about 30 recruiters on my list for the second goal; it did not result in one lead, only received one phone call and the job I received was through a recruiter I introduced to linkedin that has since dismissed linkedin as a "waste of their time".

I am seeking another position, I went to these individuals and asked for assistance; I am working on positions as it is difficult right now and that is by no means their fault but, I was treated like a plague and not so much as one even remembered my name. Not even the one that I did an analysis of their blog and assisted with input less than three weeks before.

I have seen those that just joined linkedin when I did, drive to the 10,000 mark or so that now do not give individuals the time of day. Many I have dropped from my list as to me, they have lost the concept and are not worth knowing as individuals and I sure would not wish someone new on my contact list to meet these individuals. I allow very few recruiters on my list and most are not in the US as I think recruiters are worthless leaches one step from the welfare line. I find more leads going company direct than through them. I called one and was told "there is nothing out there, I am sure many that call this person are, and yet I had found 15 positions to apply to on my own".

Is this a rant? No, it is a fact: most recruiters I knew a year ago under the age of 40 are not recruiters today. Most of the individuals I met on linkedin a year ago, rarely post today, most that were glad to meet everyone a year ago, are selective and restrictive today. All that they were, they seek to avoid and limit.

I teach a class in my profession in Leadership Management and one of the phrases I use is:

"When you were me, did you treat me, like you treat me!"

I think many of those that could be teaching those new to networking could learn a lot from that sentence. As when many of the "supernetworkers" were new, I remember them being welcomed and nurtured and not scoffed and rebuked.

MyLinkDaddy writes

I feel your pain. No one likes to be ignored or treated poorly. Active networking is like sales. You make a lot of contact and there will be inevitable rejections and complaints.

There are going to be close friends and strong connections who will immediately be there for you. But that is a small group. Outside of that there are millions of people on LinkedIn with many different ages, professions, objectives, needs, experiences, expertise, demands on their time, and networking and LinkedIn styles and skills. Add in the randomness of life where people may inadvertently lose your email, be on vacation or traveling, or have a work rush or emergency that keeps them out of touch. I don't think it's realistic or proper to expect that everyone is going to respond promptly, give you personal treatment, or even remember you. The wonder is that despite this LinkedIn remains a friendly, helpful, and generally responsive community.

It's not related to whether you're a supernetworker. I've been snubbed or had people slow to respond who have 1, 10, 100, or 10,000 connections, and I've made excellent friends in all groups. Indeed, while I'm considered an excellent networker I have no doubt that I've inadvertently let down my own share of connections. Recognize that many supernetworkers put a huge amount of time into their network, all of it unpaid, from forwarding dozens of connections daily to participating in forums, which further lessens their availability.

The bottom line - networking doesn't suspend human nature. A listing on LinkedIn means little. That person may be an active networker, a lurker, inactive, or not even reachable. Contacts and weak connections ensure only a minimal level of contact and service. They're like any one of thousands of people in your address book who you may have run across during your career. Don't confuse them with strong connections where you've developed a real relationship.

MyLinkDaddy