In addition to these “Join me on [community name]!” messages, I’m seeing a few new types of messages that have increased in frequency as the economy has worsened. One of these is the “Status Update” message from someone in the far reaches of my network; a friend of a friend, or a former prospect (who never bought anything), or someone else I dimly remember (maybe) from a business lunch in 2005. The “Status Update” is typically a long, rambling affair that begins cheerily with a couple of anecdotes about ice fishing, the Longhorns, or some other equally useless topic, then gets down to business:
“The past few months have been a tremendously challenging time. Like many of you, I’ve recently had to readjust my priorities and my approach to success.”
Translation: “I’ve lost my job.”
The “Update” continues with more Tony Robbins-esque euphemisms, such as:
“Of course, the Chinese terms for ‘crisis’ and ‘opportunity’ are the same, and we need to look at this time as a true opportunity to grow and develop what matters to us most. For me, this has been a great chance to connect with what matters to me most as I seek the most effective way to prepare for the future.”
Translation: “I’ve really been enjoying the ice fishing this winter.”
After a few more motivational cliches, the “Update” turns into the “Appeal for Help” – but only in such an oblique way as to protect the author’s dignity:
“As many of you know, I’ve dedicated the last two decades of my career to delivering the highest levels of client service in hip replacement prosthetics sales in the Pacific Northwest region. With the recent unfortunate events in the financial sector, my former employer, Sawbones Inc, has been unable to secure 27th-round venture capital funding, which would of have put us on the road to profitability well before our target of FY2017. This being the case, I have seized the bull by the horns and started my own direct-sales business in the emerging field of nutritional supplements. Being my own boss is tremendously rewarding, but it also takes A LOT of work, which is why I need your help.”
…And here comes the pitch:
“You have a HUGE network of potential clients, sitting right in your inbox! If, like me, you see the sign for opportunity in this economy, to fire your boss and make thousands along the way, give me a call! We can combine our networks to become even stronger in this crazy economy. Together we can take the nutritional supplements business by storm!”
Translation: “Send me your contacts list so I can grow my downlines.” -or- “Together we will rule the universe as father and son!”
The ending of the “Status Update” varies, of course; they’re not all deceptive pyramid schemes. Some of them just ask outright for a job. Don’t get me wrong on this issue: I’ve recently been helping a number of friends and neighbors in their job search efforts, as I’ve been working as an employment specialist at Church. I’m a firm believer in the power of personal networking in finding the right job. But the power of personal networking is in the “personal” aspect; these spams from characters who offer nothing in return for their petitions don’t grasp the essential, reciprocal nature of an effective network.
So, should social networking sites be used for job networking? Absolutely. Is a form letter to a zillion people the right way to go about it? Absolutely not. In a job search, you will most definitely be sending unsolicited messages to former colleagues or clients, but to really get their attention, you should offer something in return: lunch, a discussion about product development, perspective from one of your recent consulting gigs in the field, etc. If you don’t have anything to offer, keep your message succinct and to the point. Nobody appreciates wading through paragraphs of drivel to find a poorly-worded pitch buried at the end. Even the rabid ice fishermen in our midst.
The “Update” continues with more Tony Robbins-esque euphemisms, such as:
“Of course, the Chinese terms for ‘crisis’ and ‘opportunity’ are the same, and we need to look at this time as a true opportunity to grow and develop what matters to us most. For me, this has been a great chance to connect with what matters to me most as I seek the most effective way to prepare for the future.”
Translation: “I’ve really been enjoying the ice fishing this winter.”
After a few more motivational cliches, the “Update” turns into the “Appeal for Help” – but only in such an oblique way as to protect the author’s dignity:
“As many of you know, I’ve dedicated the last two decades of my career to delivering the highest levels of client service in hip replacement prosthetics sales in the Pacific Northwest region. With the recent unfortunate events in the financial sector, my former employer, Sawbones Inc, has been unable to secure 27th-round venture capital funding, which would of have put us on the road to profitability well before our target of FY2017. This being the case, I have seized the bull by the horns and started my own direct-sales business in the emerging field of nutritional supplements. Being my own boss is tremendously rewarding, but it also takes A LOT of work, which is why I need your help.”
…And here comes the pitch:
“You have a HUGE network of potential clients, sitting right in your inbox! If, like me, you see the sign for opportunity in this economy, to fire your boss and make thousands along the way, give me a call! We can combine our networks to become even stronger in this crazy economy. Together we can take the nutritional supplements business by storm!”
Translation: “Send me your contacts list so I can grow my downlines.” -or- “Together we will rule the universe as father and son!”
The ending of the “Status Update” varies, of course; they’re not all deceptive pyramid schemes. Some of them just ask outright for a job. Don’t get me wrong on this issue: I’ve recently been helping a number of friends and neighbors in their job search efforts, as I’ve been working as an employment specialist at Church. I’m a firm believer in the power of personal networking in finding the right job. But the power of personal networking is in the “personal” aspect; these spams from characters who offer nothing in return for their petitions don’t grasp the essential, reciprocal nature of an effective network.
So, should social networking sites be used for job networking? Absolutely. Is a form letter to a zillion people the right way to go about it? Absolutely not. In a job search, you will most definitely be sending unsolicited messages to former colleagues or clients, but to really get their attention, you should offer something in return: lunch, a discussion about product development, perspective from one of your recent consulting gigs in the field, etc. If you don’t have anything to offer, keep your message succinct and to the point. Nobody appreciates wading through paragraphs of drivel to find a poorly-worded pitch buried at the end. Even the rabid ice fishermen in our midst.
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