Not Pushing

I have had what I think is an important lesson impressed upon me over the last few weeks.

As part of my job hunting I have been networking; contacting people in the industries I have worked with to "touch Base".

Most initially are receptive but then invariably don't come back further after an initial conversation. I am sure that, in many cases, this is because they are busy and have other priorities more pressing than me.

Consequently, I have started to chase but I feel that this is counterproductive. What I think is happening is that it is possibly creating the impression that I am slightly desperate (and therefore lacking in confidence). It could also be agitating people.

I have been giving it a lot of thought. Because of my AS I believe I am not empathising enough as I go through the process. I'm not putting myself in their shoes sufficiently and perhaps stretching their good offices a shade too much. I am not being subtle enough in my approaches.

I think it could also be a result of my previous inefficient networking. What I have not done over the last few years is contacted people when I don't need them. In other words, I haven't been (informally) socialising with them.

I do some basic fundraising for a charity and one of my fellow associates made a point that is, I think, very important and relevant to the above process.

According to her it is the charity's policy to make it concrete practice that, once a person or organisation has made a donation, not to go back and ever ask again.

The reason for this is because it stretches the appeal to their generosity. If people do feel an empathy with their cause and want to contribute further then they will do so.

By not going back it increases the liklihood of them actually remaining involved.

This has parallels with networking and job hunting in particular and is a lesson that I feel I have learnt over the last few weeks. I am going to practice this approach going forward on a personal level.