How can I help you?
Five words, five simple words. “How can I help you?” When you are in job search mode those very well may be the five best words you could ever here (except for maybe, “Congratulations, you got the job!”)
But how often do you hear them when you are networking? From my experience, not that often. I’ve found that there are some very special people out there, others that are mildly helpful if it is not much of an inconvenience and, of course, those who ignore. And that’s OK, I guess. After all, we are all so busy. But…
If you want to hear more how-can-I-help-you’s here’s a tip: Use it yourself. Try it. Even though you are in job search mode, set that burning issue aside and ask someone, anyone -
the recent college grad
the unemployed electrician
the struggling entrepeneur
the dry cleaner
the elderly man
- how can I help? I think you will see amazing results.
Networking, or connecting, is about helping another person and by chance, being helped by others. Try it next time. It feels great and it works.