How to make people want to help you in your job search

How to make people want to help you in your job search Let me share what apparently is a secret to most people: the secret to making (or getting) people to want to help you in your job search. I say this is apparently a secret because in the 10+ years Ive been intimately involved in helping people in their job search, it seems that very few people actually know about this tactic. Heres an example scenario: Scenario  1 (what happens 99% of the time) You: Jason, can you help me?  Id like an introduction to John Doe Me: Sure let me make that introduction. You: Thanks! Then, I make the introduction, and I never hear back from you. I wonder what happened I wonder if you even reached out to my contact, and if you did, how did it go. Scenario 2 (what should always happen, but I hardly experience it) You: Jason, can you help me?  Id like an introduction to John Doe Me: Sure let me make that introduction. You: Thanks! [shortly after I make the introduction] You: Jason, thanks for that introduction. I just reached out to John Doe and have a lunch set up for this week.  I really appreciate your willingness to connect us, and that you trusted me with your friend. I dont wonder, because you followed-up I know that you respected the introduction, and so far, feel good about this new connection. I hope that lunch this week goes well, and honestly, would like to know how it goes (which means, another follow-up). Now, the point of this post is to get more people to want to help you more.  When I experience Scenario 2 that is, when the person circles back and tells me that (a) they acted on the introduction I sent, and (b) what they did, I find myself thinking who else should I introduce to this person? Ive been on the phone with people while they tell me what they did after the introduction, and as we are talking Im thinking of other names Ill send an introduction to as soon as the call is over. I trust that the person will treat my contacts right. You may hesitate a little to bug the person who sent you an introduction, but let me tell you, its much better to bug them with a short follow-up message, reporting back, than to not talk about it again (where theyll just wonder if you did anything). Try it today, circle back, follow-up, with the people who have given you introductions even if you are just saying Hey, I just wanted to let you know that I just emailed this person and hope to have a conversation this week That simple gesture shows you respect and appreciate their trust in you. And theyll want to help you with more. How to make people want to help you in your job search Let me share what apparently is a secret to most people: the secret to making (or getting) people to want to help you in your job search. I say this is apparently a secret because in the 10+ years Ive been intimately involved in helping people in their job search, it seems that very few people actually know about this tactic. Heres an example scenario: Scenario  1 (what happens 99% of the time) You: Jason, can you help me?  Id like an introduction to John Doe Me: Sure let me make that introduction. You: Thanks! Then, I make the introduction, and I never hear back from you. I wonder what happened I wonder if you even reached out to my contact, and if you did, how did it go. Scenario 2 (what should always happen, but I hardly experience it) You: Jason, can you help me?  Id like an introduction to John Doe Me: Sure let me make that introduction. You: Thanks! [shortly after I make the introduction] You: Jason, thanks for that introduction. I just reached out to John Doe and have a lunch set up for this week.  I really appreciate your willingness to connect us, and that you trusted me with your friend. I dont wonder, because you followed-up I know that you respected the introduction, and so far, feel good about this new connection. I hope that lunch this week goes well, and honestly, would like to know how it goes (which means, another follow-up). Now, the point of this post is to get more people to want to help you more.  When I experience Scenario 2 that is, when the person circles back and tells me that (a) they acted on the introduction I sent, and (b) what they did, I find myself thinking who else should I introduce to this person? Ive been on the phone with people while they tell me what they did after the introduction, and as we are talking Im thinking of other names Ill send an introduction to as soon as the call is over. I trust that the person will treat my contacts right. You may hesitate a little to bug the person who sent you an introduction, but let me tell you, its much better to bug them with a short follow-up message, reporting back, than to not talk about it again (where theyll just wonder if you did anything). Try it today, circle back, follow-up, with the people who have given you introductions even if you are just saying Hey, I just wanted to let you know that I just emailed this person and hope to have a conversation this week That simple gesture shows you respect and appreciate their trust in you. And theyll want to help you with more.