We all have heard it: in this economy, networking is never been more important to a job seeker than before. Indeed it is, to the point that it’s becoming tiresome to hear everyone—meaning EVERYONE—giving that advice. I agree, that in the current economic landscape, the likelihood of finding THAT job via the old avenues—online, newspaper ads, job boards—is proving more difficult than finding an artifact at an archeological expedition in Jerusalem. So when I received an invitation for a 4-series career counseling mini-workshop, I decided to sign up for the “Establishment of Networks” series. In this series, job seekers are to learn ways to gain access to hiring managers and recruiters. I thought it will be a good one to sit thru to hear a new thing or two about networking.

The instructor presented five “methodologies” on how to connect with people:

• Recruiters/Employment Counselors/Agencies
• Personal connection
• Emerging opportunities
• Direct contact
• Networking

These methods are probably (not) new to most job seekers. We all know recruiters are our friends and the temp/employment agencies are our “financial rescuer” from the burden of being temporarily unemployed. And we all have personal connections and direct contacts and networks—they are our Aunt Beatrices’, Uncle Wallies’, Dr. Rogers’, Mr. Rotorooter, even the Soup Nazi. But emerging opportunities? This, I think, gets missed by many job seekers and not one that is mentioned often by career counselors.

What—or who—are the emerging opportunities? To sum, emerging opportunities are the everyday information job seekers hear, read or see and sometimes selectively ignore while going thru the daily routine of searching for that ultimate new career.

Take for example the current buzzword in the marketplace—sustainability. In its early stage, the concept of sustainability was frequently associated with the food industry, which advocates eating locally grown products and supporting organic farming. Times have change. The concept has now expanded into a wide variety of industries—HealthCare, Dry Goods Manufacturing, Services, Financial, etc. It is now more common to find companies associating themselves as a “sustainable business”. They are the new, as well as existing, organizations offering solutions to environmental, agricultural or economic issues; companies producing products that will help consumers reduce their environmental impact or consumption; businesses wanting to incorporate sustainable practices in their businesses. These are the emerging opportunities.

How, as a job seeker, can you then take advantage of this “method” to expand your network? First, know that your skills, experiences and talents—even your interests and passions for—are all transferable to any position, employer or industry. An Operations Analyst, for example, from a medium-size furniture manufacturing company operating in all 50 states can likely transition—with skills in logistics, supply chain, vendor relations—to a small printing company with 10 franchise operations that wants to simplify their environmentally conscious business practices.

Then, pay attention to the information you hear, read or see on the various media channels: on TV, online, on paper. Take note of important information; dissect it: why was the company mentioned by the media? what is their current business issues? did they recently launched a new product/service? If the company mentioned is one you are interested in or one that you feel confident will benefit from your skills, talents and experiences, do a research on it; learn as much as you can about the company.

For example, a company named Paper Printing Services and Delivery* was featured on the Business Journal as a growing printing company and the CEO was quoted as saying that they are looking into adding more staff to their Business Solutions department. Your research of the company might involve asking questions like: what does the Business Solutions department do? is it involved in operations decisions, in implementing new ideas and solutions? who is on the management team?

Once you have a better “picture” of a particular company or organization, spend time to analyze how your skills and experiences are a good fit: An Operations Analyst with extensive experience in implementing product delivery solutions might be a perfect fit for Paper Printing Services and Delivery’s* Business Solutions department. Then connect with the company. Make an introduction. Remember, what’s important is how you can contribute to the success of the organization; how you can help solve their business issues…

Overall, the workshop was good though I’m torn on my satisfaction level vis-à-vis my personal time (2 hours) and driving distance (12 miles roundtrip). But, as old as these “tools” may be, I will not discount the value of hearing them again—and again, and again. Because you never know, you could be one day networking your way to a job interview. And that would be exciting!

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*Fictional company

About the author:
Carmen T. Endrina, based in Portland, OR, has over 10 years of experience as a market research analyst and is available for independent research consulting (CTEResearch). She is a contributing writer and editor for the Mosaic Blueprint newsletter. Contact: ctendrina@yahoo.com.

I’ve traveled and lived in West Africa twice: first in Nigeria for a college semester and then years later in Benin for six months, working as part of my graduate studies. Understanding a different culture’s concept of time was the single hardest challenge I had to overcome during my trips to West Africa.

After two months in Nigeria, I was uncomfortable living according to a different notion of time. Growing up in New York City, I was hardwired to follow a strict schedule that was tied very tightly to the clock; it gave my day structure and I didn’t know how to live without it. In Nigeria, time was elastic in a way I didn’t understand. Everyone was late–teachers, contractors; meetings started late. Everyone was late to everything and no one seemed to care or even notice, except me.  Despite the many cultural differences between neighboring Nigeria and Benin, their view on time was more similar to one another than the United States.  I thought I would be better prepared for Benin’s comparatively loose time, but after my first month living and working there, again it felt like everyone was always late. I was still early or on time for everything and wound up waiting around a lot, frustrated. It took a while for me to realize how to live day-by-day based on a different context of time.

But I eventually learned to improve on my attitude, through self-awareness and by paying more attention to people’s interactions. I realized I was trying to live a tightly scheduled existence, as if I were in New York City.  It was then that I came to appreciate the slower, more laid back pace of life.

In Benin, there was a lot of personal warmth present every day in their people’s easy going life style. They conversed a lot and were quick to laugh, but not at each other’s expense; rather it was the deep, belly laugh of a shared joke. They took the time to greet one another, to ask after one’s family members. It didn’t matter if one or both people were on their way to a meeting, an appointment or a get-together with a set “starting time”. Similarly in Nigeria, their community was more important than what time they arrived at their next obligation—their punctuality.

I was so taken by these and other realizations that I chose to write my Master’s thesis on how time is perceived by other cultures. In the course of doing my research, I came across a South African term, “Ubuntu.” It neatly explained what I was observing about the importance of community in Nigeria and Benin:

“Ubuntu…can be defined as humaneness – a pervasive spirit of caring and community, harmony and hospitality, respect and responsiveness – that individuals and groups display for one another. Ubuntu is the foundation for the basic values that manifest themselves in the ways African people think and behave toward each other and everyone else they encounter. One of the most important attributes of ubuntu is the high degree of harmony and continuity throughout the system.”1

What’s the takeaway from this? Slow down, if just for a moment. Be present. See someone you know on your way to work, or to an appointment or to lunch? Consider stopping, even for 30 seconds, to connect with that person face-to-face. They may be surprised, but I bet they will appreciate it. And you may be surprised by the reward of tuning in and being present. Take your time.

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1 Mzamo, Mangaliso. 2001.  “Building Competitive Advantage from Ubuntu: Management lessons from South Africa”.  The Academy of Management Executives.  Vol 15, Iss 3; pg. 23, 11pgs.

About the author:
Nancy Kramer has been a Portland resident for 10 years. Her background is in nonprofit arts management and project coordination. Currently she coaches individuals on leadership development and is available to present on the culture of time. She is also a member of Slow Food USA and loves to travel. She can be reached at nancy.kramer@comcast.net