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Hey, Mr. Life Of The Party. Shouldn’t You Be Networking?
I was walking through Old Town in San Diego last weekend. As I sauntered (that’s what you do in Old Town) along the sidewalk I ran into the gentleman who was just finishing a cigar, staring across the landscape that has become so familiar to him. Of course, he’s a plaster fgurine. A Mexican caballero looking for a place to have a little fun.
If you can’t tell, he is a bit stuck in his ways. He can’t move. It’s not his fault, though. Someone put him there one day and gave him a personality, a “look”, a few bad habits and, yes, a job.
His job is to deliver authenticity to the restaurant and to suggest, with a playful sincerity, the lightly sinful nature of the establishment.
As I came upon him, I knew there was a blog idea here. A way to tell a story about job search that could not be told without him. In fact, I thought about giving him a voice and letting him share the story. But he was a bit under the weather and would be hard to understand.
I’ll let you name him yourself.
Poor guy is lefit there day and night without an ability to adjust to fashion, wipe his brow or ever really take advantage of the vices that were provided him (he carries a gun, a cigar and a bottle of tequilla). The gun probably doesn’t work, the tequila is likely dry and he’s been looking for a “light” for years.
He is also unable to welcome guests to the restaurant or chat up the other local businesspeople. Poor guy can’t build relationships even though it would really do him some good.
What’s stopping you from networking?
Now, I have not taken a poll. But my guess is that there is a substantial number of employed people who are a lot like our friend. Same job, same spot, no need to move. Why should they? They are also very likely not networking. Why should they?
I’d also be curious as to how many people, recently laid off, are now struggling to find traction in job search. Now, more than ever, job search relies upon a signifcant and motivated network. Motivated, that is, to help YOU. The problem is a big one, though.
So I want you to picture a friend of yours, working or looking, that is not a good networker. Specifcally, they are not good because they have been lazy. Believing that the days of needing others are far, far away.
Now that you have your friend pictured, imagine them as the man in plaster above. They just found out that they were laid off. Now imagine the time it will take them to remove the bottle from the knee and the cigar from the mouth. Imagine the damage they will do to their body as the plaster crumbles and falls to the ground. Passers by will see them struggling. Some may help while other will just stare in shock at this previously immovable object. Tink of the Tin Man’s frst oiling by Dorothy but replace tin with plaster.
How awkward it is to try to do something for the frst time. They will be clunky and slow. They will be selfsh because they need something right now and don’t realize that others see networking as more of a two-way street. Over time, but still two-way.
If and when your friend reaches out to you, there will be much to do. Of course you’ll help him or her because you are a successful networker and know that if you help now, your help will come later.
Do me a favor, though. Tat friend of yours? Lend them this book and suggest they read this chapter. They could use the help.
Say: “Hey (friend) - I know you are a little new to this networking business. Please don’t be like the plaster guy in this chapter. Oh, and let me know how I can help.”
If you ever make it to Old Town, keep your eyes peeled for the man made of plaster. He could use a friend.