My Very Own Top 3 of Networking Disasters
Sometimes people will come up to me and tell me networking must be so easy for me. No one ever refuses my requests for an appointment, I always get the responses I am looking for, social fears are unexisting for me. If only…Truth be told, the large majority of my networking interviews go well, but there are the complete disasters I wouldn’t wish on anyone.
This is my top three of real-life networking disasters!
1. The one I was told I was “Stupid with a big S”.
I was going through a career change and though about consulting. So, I contacted this consultant from a big consulting company for some insight and tips. She replied promptly, showed sincere interest and suggested a phone call. I was disappointed not to be able to meet her in person, but at least a phone call would be less stressful, right? Or not.
From the moment she picked up the phone, she sounded annoyed. I asked her if this was a good time. No, it wasn’t but let’s do it anyway. She asked me to present myself. It was followed by a long silence. She then told me point-blank that I was “stupid with a big S” to think about changing sectors at my age (yep, I was an honourable 26 at that time…).
2. The one the guy drank my weekly grocery budget.
My budget was the one of a very poor student. I was planning on doing grocery shopping after this interview and held tight on to my 20 euros bill. Now, until then, my money issues had never been an issue for my networking. 99% of networkers would pick up the bill under the condition I would pay them a glass once I had a job. And then I met this one.
He was late, sat down, snapped with his fingers to the waiter. “A large glass of champagne!”. He hadn’t much time, so I quickly started asking him my questions. It lasted a mere 17 minutes. Every single question I asked, he replied with a Yes or a No. Suddenly, he gulped down the rest of his glass, stood up, and left without saying anything. It was followed by a long and lonely week of pasta-eating.
3. The one where I babysat kids for three hours.
I was sitting in this big, large CEO-office, going over my list of questions, getting great answers. This was going particularly well. And just like that, I was pulled into a drama-movie. It started with someone screaming, then a large thud on the door, even more screaming. He apologised, and picked up the phone to ask his PA what was going on. He would know soon enough.
The door flung open. A woman with two crying children stormed in. “I am done”. She eyed me from top to to, scuffed, left. It took a couple of seconds before any of us moved. Then he stood up, quickly walked out of the office, followed by the two little guys. He came back, pushing them in my direction. If I could take care of them for a moment. 3 hours later, the PA took over. Never heard anything back.
4. The one with the valuable lesson: Move on!
Thinking back to these interviews, I remember the feelings of humiliation, the despair, the tears. I just couldn’t get why someone would behave the way they did. In some cases, it took me months to get back on the networking track, scared to go through the same thing again. But over time, I also learnt to no longer sweat it, especially after a similar interview to the first one.
This guy was even harder on me, pointing out reason after reason why no one would hire me. I was a woman, I didn’t have the right profile, I was too old (again!). I was near tears when he suddenly paused, looked at me, and apologised. “I had the choice to change careers at your age. I didn’t do it, and now it is too late. You are doing the right thing and I am sure you will make it.”
It remains one of my strongest networking memories. I had done everything right here, but I was still dealing with a human with his/her own problems & flaws. And in this case, there was nothing I could do against that. I still always check if I could have done something better. But sometimes, I also just have a good cry, empty a couple of candy bags, and then move on.
Time to share YOUR horrible networking stories! Make me laugh (or cringe…)!
