Power Networking - Six Degrees of Separation

Six Degrees of Separation

So, how do we get introduced to Eric Clapton today!

The right Eric Clapton – you know the guitar player!

Six Degrees of Separation

So, how do we get introduced to Eric Clapton today!

The right Eric Clapton – you know the guitar player!

My father used to say, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know”. When I think about the career search process, this is the most important concept you have to grasp.

In the From Stressed to Blessed Workshop at St. Therese of Liseux, Stephanie Goodrich, the presenter gave us some very valuable statistics. She told us 56% of career seekers found a job through a friend. However, 83.6% of career seekers found a new career through people they saw occasionally or rarely.

This tells me that we have to connect with everyone we know to tell them we are looking for a new career. It also tells me we have to learn LinkedIn well and use it to our maximum advantage.

Linked in is the network website for professionals. It works under the six degrees of separation theory.

As of this morning, August 1, 2010, I have 49 connections on LinkedIn. This is my current network of Trusted Professionals. This is my first degree of separation.

From those connections, they have their own Network of Trusted Professionals.

That gives me access to 5,400+ more connections. This is my second degree of separation.

Those connections have their Network of Trusted Professionals. This gives me access to 635,800+ more connections. This is my third degree of separation.

The total amount of users on LinkedIn as of this morning, August 1, 2010 is 70,000,000+.

In theory, networks, of networks, of networks, of networks, of networks, of networks of your Network of Trusted Professionals can get you introduced to anybody on the face of the earth, from Eric Clapton (the guitar player) to President Barack Obama. This is the six degrees of separation theory.

If the network is maintained, in other words, if you stay in touch with all of your contacts, and do everything in your power to help them, they will help you too.

Instead of looking for a ‘Job’, we can look for a ‘Career’. Pat Faircloth of the School of Education & Human Services has the best definition I’ve heard since I have been attending Career Workshops. He said, “Find a career you love, and you will never work again.”

You have to do the work to define what that career is. That is another topic. Then target companies that have career opportunities in that category.

Then type in the company on LinkedIn. There will be people who are on LinkedIn who are working in that company. E-mail them to ask, “Is the company a good one to work for? “Who are the decision makers within that company?” “Are there positions available?” Then ask the contacts who work for that company if they can give you an introduction to the person who has hiring authority. I will be sharing more of the specifics as I learn them.

Last week I attended ‘The Take Charge Workshop – Job Search Strategies’ on July 28. One of the segments was LinkedIn. The presenter was Brenda Meller – Marketing Manager at Walsh College. She is very knowledgeable.

I have a four hour class on LinkedIn with Brenda Miller regarding LinkedIn on Tuesday, August 3. I’ll keep you posted on what additional information I have learned.

I have homework for all who read this. Ask someone today, “Are you on LinkedIn?” If they aren’t, convince them to join it. Either way, ask them for their card and find out what they are looking for in a career.

Have a great day!

George Walker

P. S. I found Eric Clapton on a people search. The guitar playing Eric Clapton isn’t on there yet. Bummer!