Reaching Out

Navigating the competitive landscape of job opportunities can often feel overwhelming. Many individuals find themselves caught in the complex balancing act of working overtime in their current role, hoping for a promotion, strategizing how best to present a brief four-week internship from their teenage years on their resume, and crafting numerous cover letters.

Just when you believe you've executed all the right steps to secure a job or advancement, you're confronted with the disheartening reality that the position went to an acquaintance of the hiring manager's friend from years ago. Undeterred, you make another attempt, only to uncover that the pool of "connections through connections" seems boundless.

To progress, it becomes essential to expand your network. It's a straightforward concept: if you can't beat them, join them. You, too, can become a valuable connection through mutual associations.

Rather than succumbing to discouragement, utilize this article as a navigational tool. Prepare to delve into a practical strategy known as "Reaching Out," which could provide valuable insights as you navigate this dynamic landscape.

So, how can you effectively initiate Reaching Out?

Before we delve into the specifics, there's some preliminary groundwork to be done.

Firstly, take a moment to consider everyone you're acquainted with. These individuals make up your network. Within this group, there are those with whom you share close relationships, such as friends and family, and those with whom your connections are more distant, like former colleagues or a university professor. You can categorize the former as strong ties and the latter as weak ties.

Contrary to common belief, it's often the weak ties that can have the most significant impact on your career trajectory. This is due to the fact that strong ties often move within similar circles, whereas individuals with whom you have weaker connections might possess unique insights and information.

Through the practice of Reaching Out, your aim is to establish contact with these individuals and bolster the number of your weak connections.

In simple terms, the objective is to expand your network of individuals who can apprise you of opportunities, whether they be job openings or interesting projects. The larger your circle, the higher the likelihood of encountering someone who can vouch for you as a potential contractor or employee. This is especially desirable given that a substantial portion, even up to two-thirds, of individuals recommended by an employee within a company end up securing the position.

This might sound exciting, but what if the thought of initiating contact leaves you apprehensive?

In that case, it's all the more reason to proceed, and to do so consistently!

Megan Bruneau, a psychotherapist based in Vancouver, suggests that the most effective approach to combating anxiety is to repeatedly confront it, in order to become accustomed to the discomfort it brings. Embracing this strategy during your Reaching Out endeavors can help you avoid fixating on non-responses, as time constraints won't allow for it. Similar to the author's approach, Bruneau reaches out to a new person every day, a habit that you too are encouraged to adopt.

Now, let's explore the finer details of the Reaching Out process.

Two essential components of a successful Reach Out (RO) are the gift and the favor.

Picture this scenario: a friend surprises you with an unexpected gift. Typically, your natural inclination would be to find a way to reciprocate the gesture. This is precisely the response you're aiming to evoke when engaging in a Reach Out.

The principle to remember is that every effective RO, whether it's an email, tweet, or comment on a blog, should incorporate a minimum of two gifts.

The gifts themselves need not be elaborate; a simple compliment or a book recommendation suffices. If relevant, share information that the recipient of your RO might find intriguing but doesn't currently have access to. For instance, if your blog's audience aligns with your target's interests, you could offer them exposure to that audience.

For inspiration, consider the example of Trista Harris, co-author of "How to Become a Nonprofit Rockstar." She once learned that Sir Richard Branson was speaking at a conference she planned to attend. She then composed an email to the conference organizers, proposing an interview with Branson. Her pitch highlighted her credentials and the media outlets the conference would gain exposure to. This ultimately convinced the organizers to grant her the opportunity to interview Sir Richard.

Another integral aspect of the RO is the favor or request made of the target. However, unlike the gift, the favor doesn't necessarily have to be included within the initial RO.

When it comes to favors, striking the right balance is crucial. Anything vague or impersonal wastes everyone's time, as information easily obtainable from a search engine wouldn't necessitate bothering your target. On the other hand, you don't want to burden the recipient by seeking information they usually charge for.

The ideal approach is to ask specific questions that can be answered relatively quickly via email. For instance, inquiring about recommended books, noteworthy events, or trends in their field that deserve attention can be productive.

In summary, gifts and a favor serve as the foundation of any effective RO. The additional components will vary based on your target audience and their specific context.

Crafting a successful Reach Out strategy hinges on tailoring your approach to the individual you're reaching out to.

Just as you wouldn't communicate with a longtime friend in the same way you'd address a stranger or your boss, different rules apply when initiating a Reach Out, contingent on your target!

To simplify matters, it's helpful to categorize Reach Outs into four distinct types, arranged in order of your closeness to the target: Re-RO, Follow-up RO, Borrowed Connection, and Cool RO.

The Re-RO is directed towards someone you're already acquainted with, albeit not extensively. Remember, the purpose of Reaching Out is to engage with weak ties in order to expand and fortify your network, not to converse with close friends!

The Follow-up RO comes into play when you're reaching out to someone you've interacted with briefly, perhaps at a party, conference, or work-related event.

Moving on, the Borrowed Connection applies when you're contacting an individual you haven't met before, but you share a mutual connection. It's advisable to consult your mutual contact to gauge if your email would be welcomed.

Lastly, the Cool RO is fitting when you're reaching out to someone you have no prior connection with, potentially an admired figure in your field.

In terms of strategy, it's a sound practice to include a compliment for the target, regardless of the type of RO. When addressing someone with whom you share a connection, referencing that shared affiliation could enhance your approach. As you move towards the Cool RO, your communications might become less personalized, but striving to inject a personal touch remains beneficial. For instance, complimenting an article authored by your target and referencing specific arguments within it.

Lastly, diversification is key. Different RO types yield varying opportunities, so achieving a balance is pivotal for an effective Reach Out strategy. Keep in mind, however, that response rates fluctuate according to the type of RO you employ. For example, less intimidating Re-ROs and Follow-up ROs often yield a 60 to 80 percent response rate. In contrast, Cool ROs result in a response only around 25 percent of the time on average, implying it might be worth slightly de-prioritizing them.

Reaching Out can be a powerful strategy to achieve a wide range of goals, impacting both your professional and personal life.

Before embarking on your Reach Out efforts, it's crucial to define the objectives you wish to accomplish using this approach. By aligning your targets with your goals, you can make the most of the diverse benefits that Reach Out can offer.

Starting with career-related aspirations, every type of Reach Out can contribute to your professional growth. Whether you're seeking a job, pursuing a fresh project, or aiming to progress within your current organization, various forms of Reach Outs can prove invaluable.

Reaching out to a Re-RO target, like a former colleague employed at a company you're interested in, might lead to a job interview. Engaging in a Follow-up RO could translate into opportunities, whether you've connected with someone higher up within your organization or an influential individual from another company. And in the realm of Cool ROs, initiating contact with headhunters, hiring managers, or industry influencers might result in job offers, advice, or enticing projects.

When it comes to the Borrowed Connection approach, the focus is on reminding your contacts of your skill set and informing them about your career goals. After all, you never know who they might be able to connect you with.

Consider the example of Irnande Altema, an attorney and author. Upon completing law school, she shared her interest in government and legislative work with a former boss. This interaction led her boss to introduce her to a legislative consultant, ultimately paving the way for her employment at the consultant's firm.

Yet, Reach Out's benefits extend beyond just job acquisition. Employing Reach Out to connect with potential clients or journalists can propel your business forward by boosting sales and press coverage. Furthermore, these interactions might foster meaningful relationships, potentially transforming your targets into friends or mentors.

As illustrated by the author's account, this transformation occurred for one of her mentees, Vivian. By initiating interactions on social media and via email after attending similar events, their connection grew stronger. Vivian eventually felt at ease asking for mentorship due to the rapport they had developed.

Reaching Out can be efficiently executed through email or social media.

With the fundamentals of networking and different types of Reach Outs understood, you might be eager to draft your first Reach Out email. However, it's common to feel stuck in the process. Don't be discouraged; tackling Reach Outs step by step can make the process more manageable.

First and foremost, opt for succinct emails rather than lengthy ones. Conciseness is key. Here's how to structure your message:

Start by selecting the email account from which you'll send the Reach Out. Generally, using your personal email is wise, unless the Reach Out pertains directly to your work. This ensures you can receive responses even after leaving your current company. An exception arises when you're Reaching Out regarding work-related queries.

Next, craft a subject line that captures your target's attention. Experiment with capitalizing the first letters of each word—strangely, a study by Yesware revealed that such emails garner more responses!

Proceed with a simple greeting, such as 'Hi' or 'Hello.' Avoid becoming overly familiar; if appropriate, stick to the target's title, like "Professor" or "Doctor." Briefly introduce yourself, utilizing a one-sentence bio you've prepared for convenience.

Subsequently, present your gifts and, if necessary, make your favor request. While gifts are essential components of your Reach Out, not every instance requires a favor. Afterward, sign off, ensuring your contact details are included. Always proofread before sending!

Remember, email isn't always the optimal communication channel. If your target frequently uses a particular social media platform, like Twitter or LinkedIn, or if their email address is challenging to find, reaching out via social media is a viable alternative.

The social media Reach Out process follows a similar approach, though certain elements might differ. For instance, a subject line might not always be necessary. Additionally, include your email address so the target can transition the conversation to email if necessary.

Maria Yuan, the founder of IssueVoter, experienced the potential of social media Reach Outs. Recognizing that her target, Albert Wenger of Union Square Ventures, might be interested in her event based on his social media activity, she tweeted to Wenger about an IssueVoter event. This interaction led to a conversation wherein Wenger shared insights on crowdfunding campaigns.

Hence, monitoring your target's social media presence before initiating a Reach Out can yield valuable insights!

Staying on track, maintaining follow-ups, and integrating Reach Outs into your daily routine are key aspects of achieving success through this strategy.

Reaching Out sporadically won't yield significant results. The most effective approach is to incorporate it into your daily routine. Once you've established this habit, there are a few more considerations to keep in mind.

First and foremost, anticipate responses from your targets. Some might offer a brief "thank you," which doesn't require a response. However, if the target poses questions or sends a more substantial email, sustain the conversation by providing prompt and courteous replies.

Regardless of the outcome of your Reach Out, maintaining a sense of gratitude is vital. While not all targets can fulfill the favor you requested, expressing appreciation for their response remains worthwhile. Remarkably, according to multiple studies, including a simple "thank you" in your email can double the likelihood of receiving a positive response from your target!

Undoubtedly, you'll encounter instances of non-responses. You can choose to disregard them or, after approximately four weeks, consider sending a follow-up message to gently remind your target. Although non-responses might be disheartening, remember that they offer valuable insights. If your response rate is low, it could indicate that your subject line lacked intrigue, your email was overly lengthy, or your favor request was inadequately specific. Utilize non-responses to refine your Reach Out strategy.

Reinforcing Reach Outs as a habitual practice will help alleviate any apprehensions you might have about the process. Take the example of blogger and author Gretchen Rubin, known for "The Happiness Project." By committing to posting on her blog six days a week, she eliminated the internal debate about whether to post on a particular day. Similarly, incorporating Reach Outs into your routine can yield comparable benefits.

Lastly, customize your schedule to align with your preferences. Whether you opt to compose Reach Outs in bulk on a specific day each week or prefer a different approach, the key is to find a method that suits you. Regardless, integrating Reach Outs into your schedule will undoubtedly open doors to numerous new opportunities.

To wrap up, when it comes to propelling your career forward or securing a job that fills you with enthusiasm each morning, it boils down to one thing: connecting with the right individuals. And how do you accomplish that? Through the practice of Reaching Out. This entails not only understanding precisely how, when, and with whom to network but also mastering the art of effective communication. With the right manners, expertise, and consistency, Reaching Out can be a transformative tool in shaping your ideal career.

Here's an actionable tip:

Enhance your visibility by establishing a strong presence on LinkedIn and other relevant social media platforms.

While it's advantageous to conclude your emails with links to your blog or LinkedIn profile, ensure your online presence is polished before doing so. Keep your chosen social media profiles updated regularly, showcasing activities aligned with your desired field. This approach is sure to capture the attention of your intended contacts and contribute to your networking success!