TIN #096 - Why You Should Never Give Your Resume To Your Networking Connections
And What To Give Them Instead
Hey there, Introverted Networkers!
This week, I want to tackle a common networking mistake.
Let's talk about why you should never give your resume to people in your network, and what you should give them instead.
This issue takes about 4 minutes to read…
Before We Get Started:
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The Common Misconception: Give Everyone Your Resume
During a recent presentation to college students, a question came up:
"Why shouldn't I give my resume to someone in my network?"
I had just finished explaining my 5-Step networking process.
Step 4 is Be Easy To Help, and I told them you should never give people in your network your resume. One of the students challenged that point of view during the Q&A by asking the question above.
It seems counterintuitive, right?
If you’re networking to get a job, you want people to have the most common job search document: your resume.
You've built this connection, so why not take the chance to share your resume and hope they can help?
The truth is, giving your resume to someone in your network is a hard ask—not for you, but for them.
It's challenging for the person to take action with your resume because it lacks direction and specificity.
The Problem Of Giving Out Your Resume
When you hand someone your resume, you're essentially asking them to do a lot of work on your behalf:
Figure out who to give it to: They have to decide who in their network would be the best fit.
Understand your goals: They need to interpret what kind of job or role you're aiming for.
Take action: They need to actually pass it along, which is often where the process stalls.
Even with the best intentions, your resume might end up sitting on their desk, becoming an item on their to-do list that never gets done.
This is not an effective way to leverage your hard-earned connections.
The Better Approach: Use a Target Company List
Instead of a resume, provide a target company list. Here’s why this works better:
Specificity: A target company list shows exactly where you want to work.
Actionable: It's easy for your network connection to think of people they know at those specific companies.
Direct Connections: This approach helps you get closer to decision-makers in the companies you’re interested in.
How to Create Your Target Company List
List Your Top Companies: Identify the companies you want to work for. Organize them by industry, size, or role.
Make it Formal: Create a document that looks professional, similar to a resume. Include your name, contact info, and the list of companies.
Explain Your Goals: When you share this list, explain why these companies interest you and what type of roles you're targeting.
The Power of the Target Company List
By using a target company list, you're making it easy for your connections to help you.
They can quickly see if they know anyone at those companies and make a direct introduction.
This method primes their brain to think of relevant contacts, even if they don't know someone at your listed companies.
They might suggest other companies or connections that are just as valuable.
Stand Out and Be Easy to Help
When you use a target company list, you stand out in your network.
Most people don’t do this, so you’ll be memorable and show that you’re organized and considerate of their time.
It also demonstrates that you're proactive and strategic in your job search.
Final Thoughts
Remember, networking is about making it easy for others to help you.
By providing a target company list instead of a resume, you simplify the process and increase your chances of getting valuable introductions.
Give this approach a try and let me know how it goes.
Reach out with any questions, leave a comment, and don’t forget to subscribe to the newsletter and follow me on LinkedIn.
Go out there, meet some interesting people, and always be connecting!
Before You Go…
Check out this post on the power of giving value in networking from The Random Recruiter. If you aren’t already following him, you should.