Attention all Millennials...actually, ATTENTION everyone across all the lands! Stop burning bridges and begin to understand that your net worth is your network!
Attention all Millennials...actually, ATTENTION everyone across all the lands! Stop burning bridges and begin to understand that your net worth is your network!
In a previous post I talked about maintaining your LinkedIn profile and realizing, the platform will help you grow professionally far more than any other social media platform will.
Story time! I have a client and for the purposes of this story let's say this clients name is Jackson. Jackson was looking for a job and considering the fact that his network was rather small he blindly applied to a hundred or so places. He ended up contacting Career Savage and seeking consultation on the proper way to apply for jobs. I advised Jackson on what to do after reworking his resume. Soon after, he messaged me and said my strategies resulted in many recruiters contacting him for various types of work.
A few weeks went by and Jackson decided to entertain 2 job offers. Against my advisement, he committed to one offer (further commute, more money) while waiting to hear back from the other company (closer in proximity, less money). NOW, I advised Jackson to let the recruiter know he was waiting to hear back from another company and see if they would give him more time to make a decision. He did not believe this was possible and committed any way.
LISTEN Y'ALL, when you win your recruiter wins!
They will finesse the situation on your behalf IF you cooperate with them. The last thing you want to do is screw over a recruiter and NOT be transparent. Especially when your industry is technical or niche. Even if it is not, two-timing your recruiter and treating them as if they are not your teammate is the quickest way to burn a bridge.
I digress. So, a week went by and Jackson was set to start at his new job. On the SAME DAY (I cant make this stuff up), Jackson received a call that he got the job from the other company. He even leveraged an increase in salary (with Career Savage advisement) to match the other companies offer. It is Jackson's life in the end. He accepted the job and did NOT show up at the other company. He called the recruiter to let them know that he would not be going into the office.
GET READY Y'ALL...
The recruiter was PISSED (as I assumed they would be). Jackson told me the recruiter informed him of his poor etiquette and that this is exactly how you burn bridges in your industry. Now, I hate to say "I told you so", but I told Jackson this would be the outcome. Jackson is now happy and still working for the other company. On the flip side, he can NEVER contact that recruiter for another job again. They wont trust his word.
Moral of the story?
When it comes to applying for work, you have a better chance of getting the job from someone within your network than blindly applying. DO NOT BURN BRIDGES! I can't stress this enough! Outside of burning bridges within your industry, treat your colleagues, friends, and acquaintances with the utmost respect. You never know who will be able to help you in the future.
I do not burn bridges.
I will not speak in absolutes and say never because I am sure at some point in my life I have burned a bridge without even knowing I have done so. However, at this point in my life I actively work to NOT burn bridges. I do not care what the situation is. A person can burn me but I will NOT act in the same manner.
Here is my personal story: I DO NOT BURN BRIDGES LOL. There is no story to tell because I am telling you don't do it!
There have been recruiters who have racially profiled me, employers who have belittled me, and acquaintances who have pointlessly berated me. You know what I do? Nothing. You want to know why? Because I don't know when this person will cross paths with me again. I don't know who these people know or how they can taint me personal and professional reputation.
Okay I lied, here is my personal story: the first corporate job I had was at 17 working as an executive personal assistant to a CEO and CFO. I worked there for 3 years. You know how I got that job? My network.
I mind my business, treat people with respect, and work on building my network daily. If you only take nothing from this blog post, please at least remember this: don't burn bridges.