Job seeker finds out "networking" advice is useless after going to endless events full of empty promises: ‘This strategy doesn’t work, it’s just an opportunity for mid-career people to revel in having their egos stroked’
cheezburger.com
I agree with the frustrated professional who posted this. Telling less experienced players in most fields to just go out there and mingle with the big boys and girls in their game and you'll get all the help you need is just mean. But I do have a caveat.
  • Dr. Bob@lemmy.caEnglish
    5·
    2 days ago

    I read through some of the comments and I get their frustration, but there are some unrealistic expectations among the respondents. One thing that stuck out for me was insisting that “junior” meant people outside the field who were looking to move into the area. Other commenters (and myself) would describe that role as “entry level”, and it is the single hardest step in any career progression. I would reserve “junior” to indicate someone who has an entry level position and a couple years experience.

    There are literally hundreds of highly educated, well qualified applicants for every entry level position we post. That has been true for years. We make decisions based on strategic considerations and team fit for where we are weak and where we want to grow. We use networking and informational sessions to communicate about where we are going and to look for special qualities or expertise.

    Think of the process like dating. We flirt with hundreds of people, coffee date a few dozen, dinner date maybe a dozen, and get serious with one or two. The odds are never in your favour, but you only need to get lucky once.

    It is really tough out there. I am working directly with a few mentees right now who are trying to break into my specific field. Even if an opening came up on my own team I could, at best, hire one of them. And the process might mean I get none of them.