Why Networking is an Overrated Career Tool

Critical thinkers are a dying breed and logic is becoming a lost art. Ironically, we have more access to information than any generation. Whether it be at the gym, office or on the couch, we can readily access information, however we question the validity of what we read and hear less and less.

If I had $1 for each time I heard some derivative of the phrase, “so you go and network and recruit people,” I’d never technically pay for my own lunch again.

Between reading articles and speaking to job seekers and hiring companies, it’s become evident that many are misinformed about what is and what is not an efficient job search/recruitment strategy.

By itself, networking is ambiguous and inefficient, as the simple act of networking lacks a clear beginning and end goal.

An Intangible Practice with Multiple Definitions

If you ask 10 people to define what networking is, you’ll get 10 very different definitions. If you ask the same individuals how they go about networking, maybe 1/3 of those individuals can provide you with clear steps that logically make sense.

Officially, the word “network” has a multitude of meanings. Some of which are in verb form (i.e. networking), others exist in noun form. For the sake of relevancy, we’ll stay on the definitions that are career-oriented.

According to dictionary.com, when used as a verb, the formal definition of networking is “the act of cultivating people who can be helpful to one professionally” (which is vague). Merriam Webster has a bit more robust definition and defined networking for our sales recruitment specialists as “the cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business.”

Frequently Used in HR and Job Search, Rarely Questioned

By definition, the phrase is very similar to “recruiting.” Therefore, to claim it to be a viable recruiting or job search strategy is technically being redundant. However recruiters are very rarely asked what their definition of networking is, nor are job seekers when they claim networking to be an effective job search tool.

It’s almost like when you tell your child you’re busy, “doing business.” Because the connotation of the word seems official, productive and authoritative, the child will often refrain from requesting his or her parent’s attention.

The lack of logical thinking is advantageous to lower quality HR heads and headhunters because it allows them to circumvent having to discuss recruiting practices and strategies in-depth, while still sounding productive and professional. Rarely is the phrase, “I’m consistently networking to recruit employees,” countered with, “what do you mean by networking?”

Attending Professional Events to Socialize

In many instances, attending events such as trade shows or cocktail hours ceases to be professional and becomes a social event with business professionals. A cocktail hour is the same as a happy hour; it’s just with business people.

Have you ever heard Warren Buffett, Michael Bloomberg or any other billionaire attribute their wealth to their ability to network or a group they found on meetup.com? Rather, they had clear strategies for success that were well defined and executed upon those plans.

In business, networking is a flawed wealth building strategy. The majority of individuals who attend a professional event to find a job do or obtain new business do so because it’s social in nature, and thus requires less focus (a key component to success) and 9 out of 10 times leave with business cards which amount to little.

However, they waste a significant amount of the most valuable resource we have, which is time. Usage of the internet to recruit or search for a job is much more efficient and thus is the recruiting form of preference by companies serious about hiring based upon qualifications and skills.

Because many people lack clearly defined strategies to reach predetermined goals, networking is going to sound professional, but prove to be inefficient. There is no question that networking as social interaction with other business professionals is interesting, enjoyable and healthy. However, in most instances, logic will tell us that there are more efficient ways to achieve our job-seeking or recruiting goals.

Picture of Ken Sundheim

Ken Sundheim

Ken Sundheim is the CEO of KAS Placement Sales and Marketing Recruiters, a sales and marketing recruiting firm specializing in staffing business development and marketing professionals around the U.S. Ken has been published in Forbes, Chicago Tribune, AOL, Business Insider, Ere.net, Recruiter.com, Huffington Post and many others. He has also appeared on MTV, Fox Business News and spoken at some of the country's leading business schools on HR, job search and recruitment.

TRENDING AROUND THE WEB

6 behaviors of a woman who has given up on ever finding true love, according to psychology

6 behaviors of a woman who has given up on ever finding true love, according to psychology

Global English Editing

If a woman truly knows her worth, she usually avoids these 7 behaviors completely

If a woman truly knows her worth, she usually avoids these 7 behaviors completely

Baseline

People who hide behind spirituality often display these 7 toxic behaviors

People who hide behind spirituality often display these 7 toxic behaviors

The Vessel

7 subtle signs of fake empathy that only highly intelligent people instantly pick up on, according to psychology

7 subtle signs of fake empathy that only highly intelligent people instantly pick up on, according to psychology

Global English Editing

7 things people in their 70s wish they’d started doing way earlier in life

7 things people in their 70s wish they’d started doing way earlier in life

Global English Editing

People who offer to clear the dishes when they eat at someone else’s home usually display these 7 traits, says psychology

People who offer to clear the dishes when they eat at someone else’s home usually display these 7 traits, says psychology

Global English Editing