Dont Just Ask for a Favor

Dont Just Ask for a Favor One thing I know from speaking with people in job search is that many are frustrated and discouraged because they cant get meetings with people.   Theyve heard the best route to finding a job   is through the hidden job market and they are trying to ask for informational meetings and striking out, big time. Why do you suppose someone wouldnt want to meet with you? They dont know you They dont have time They dont know how they can help you They generally dont understand or believe in networking You havent given them a reason to WANT to meet with you These are not real reasons, they are excuses for their underlying fears.   Are you going to ask them for a job?   Do you have some other hidden agenda?   Fear of the unknown value or outcome of the meeting? None of these objections are insurmountable. On Jason Albas JibberJobber blog, he shared a slide deck (by Sheila Scarborough) cautioning consultants and entrepreneurs not to meet with people who want to pick their brains.   Why?   Because these meetings typically take away from the income generating opportunities the business owner should be working on. I am sharing Jasons post containing the slides with you so that you can understand the objections as to why someone isnt willing to meet with you.   It doesnt mean they wont.   It means that you have to be more convincing or offer to solve some problem of theirs for it to be worth their precious, billable time. The more you understand these reasons and the more you understand the way employers are thinking, the better you will be and circumventing their objections.   That means you can secure more meetings! The ultimate lesson is Be genuine and authentic Offer something in return for their time What benefit is it to them to meet with you Be courteous and sincere No guarantees, but at least you understand, right?