Networking by Shaking the Branches of Your Family Tree

Jeff Foxworthy once said, "You might be a redneck if your family tree does not fork."

This point hit home recently when I gave the eulogy for a family member. Like most at funerals, I met relatives I had either never met or had not seen since childhood. About half of them looked like carbon copies. There was no mistaking them as really, REALLY closely related to each other.

I learned that while my family has branches, at least one of those branches does not fork. Much. At all.

Even if you find yourself in the same situation, you can still develop and enhance your network. Just shake your family tree.

Family reunions, funerals and weddings. If you're job hunting, never pass up these occasions. Long-lost relatives (and their spouses) have jobs - and their own networks. They may know somebody who needs someone with your skills and experience. Take the opportunity to connect with them using the job fair technique. Ask for their business cards and be sure to follow up a few days after the event. These events are usually less stressful, as you already have a family connection. The bonus, here, is that as you connect with them, you're connecting with a part of yourself as well.

Pick up the phone. My small home office is in a mid-sized city where I have a few relatives. Unfortunately, our schedules do not mesh and, while we have no animosity toward each other, none of us had much contact with each other. Then, while out of work, I picked up the phone and arranged lunch. We spent a few hours catching up. Eventually, we talked about work. While I didn't get any job leads, my relative did give me some industry information. I used that info to develop new leads. Which was just as good.

Serendipity. I was at a Toastmasters-related event a few months back and came across a young man with my last name. While I had connected with his father a few years back, I didn't remember ever meeting this young man. Turns out he was dating the daughter of a friend of mine. Since he was a college senior looking for job leads, I gave him my card and offered to help him look for work. After all, his father helped me and I wanted to return the favor.

IN A NUTSHELL: Shake your family tree to develop your network.