271 - The Importance of Networking — with Loren Greiff
Dec 13, 2023
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Loren Greiff, Founder of Portfolio Rocket, helps executives fast-track their careers through networking. She shares her insights on how genuine connections unlock new opportunities, likening networking to a trampoline for career growth. Loren discusses the shifting job market post-pandemic and emphasizes the need for modern networking strategies. She also highlights the importance of personal branding, crafting impactful narratives, and the human element in recruitment, providing listeners with essential tools for navigating job transitions and the hidden job market.
Networking is an essential skill for career success and can create new job opportunities.
Personal relationships and networking hold more weight in the business world than academic qualifications.
Building genuine relationships and storytelling in networking conversations can lead to hidden job opportunities and desired career paths.
Deep dives
The Power of Networking in Career Success
Networking is often viewed as a dreaded task, akin to eating broccoli. However, it is crucial for career success. Opportunities are attached to people, not just qualifications or resumes. Building meaningful relationships and leveraging personal connections can pave the way for new job prospects and even create opportunities that never existed before. Networking is an art and a science, requiring storytelling and strategic communication. By mastering the art of networking, individuals can navigate the hidden job market and gain access to exclusive opportunities.
Overcoming Academic Challenges in Career Path
Academic standing does not define one's potential for success. The prestige of degrees and certifications does not guarantee leadership or intellect. Personal relationships and networking hold more weight in the business world. Personal charisma and the ability to build relationships are essential in securing job opportunities. Academic disappointments can lead to alternative forms of intelligence and street smarts that often go unrecognized, but can be just as valuable.
Leveraging Relationships and Storytelling in Job Search
In the competitive job market, building genuine relationships and leveraging connections can provide a significant advantage. In networking conversations, it is crucial to tell engaging stories and communicate personal value. Using a problem-action-result framework can enhance storytelling and leave a lasting impression. Networking is not just about immediate results; it can also uncover hidden job opportunities yet to be created. By positioning oneself as a solution to specific problems, individuals can gain insider access to job openings and secure desired career paths.
Importance of Integrity and High-Quality Deliverables
The podcast emphasizes the importance of integrity in the recruitment process. It highlights the significance of delivering high-quality work and emphasizes the negative impact of broken links or subpar deliverables on a candidate's reputation. The podcast urges candidates to go beyond the job description and demonstrate their understanding of the client's challenges. The ability to be a self-learner and demonstrate curiosity is highly valued in candidates, as it sets them apart from the average applicants. Being exceptional in these areas can create a significant gap in competitiveness.
The Need to Overdeliver and Demonstrate Work Ethic
The episode discusses the decline in work ethic and the lack of dedication among some individuals, particularly in terms of overdelivering. It highlights the importance of going above and beyond in the workplace and taking pride in one's work. The podcast encourages individuals to constantly stay relevant by improving their communication and AI skills. It also stresses the necessity of being a valuable asset to an organization by being proactive, adaptable, and continuously learning. The focus is on recognizing the long-term benefits of consistently exceeding expectations and demonstrating leadership qualities.
Networking is a term that, if you have a professional career, you've probably heard a million times. You've likely attended countless events and conversed with numerous people. However, networking is more than just attending a mixer or connecting with someone on LinkedIn, and quite frankly, many people are not as proficient at it as they believe. Loren Greiff, who operates the career services-focused Portfolio Rocket, joins Chris to discuss what she refers to as the "broccoli of business", something that is necessary but not particularly appealing to deal with. They'll discuss why networking is "the trampoline that allows you to get where you want to go faster", and why networking will continue to be crucial in the age of AI. She'll share her agency background, what led her into recruitment, and what eventually made her feel like she could no longer work in traditional recruiting, prompting her to establish Portfolio Rocket, a platform designed to equip job seekers with modern tools and techniques for success. Chris and Loren will also discuss some of the dos and don'ts of job searching, from a former recruiter's perspective, and some of the qualities that make someone stand out amongst other employees.
