Don't Avoid the Unemployed!
Is it worthwhile to network with people who are also looking for new employment?
Most
people think they should only talk with other people who are presently
employed in a specific capacity within a specific industry within a
specific company who might have a specific job for them. This is job
search futility and fatality.
When
an exec is between jobs, it's the perfect time to get to know him/her.
That person will land soon and will remember you when s/he does.
In
fact, it's more effective to network with people who are also looking
for new employment. When these people are between jobs, they are
accessible; once they land a new gig, you might never get to speak with
them. It's too late. S/he's off and running on a new career venture and
much too busy to be bothered.
Alternatively,
if you connect with him beforehand, you better believe he'll speak with
you. His Rolodex® will be wide open. Moreover, if you can point him to
one good contact in your network, he will never forget you. When he's
running his next company, he will pay your favor forward.
Additionally,
once an executive has left, he is more likely to give you contacts from
his last company as he does not have the same confidentiality
concern. Also, don't forget to look at other companies he has worked
for and ask for contacts there as well. Furthermore, because he has
been searching and talking to other execs and recruiters, he is more
likely to be aware of recent opportunities that might be better for you
than for him.
