Business Networking

It seems like everyone is looking for a job these days or using this recession as a time to go back to school. I was speaking with a particular friend today who was in the same shoes. Still looking for a position, my friend told me that he was thinking about trying to get an MBA at Harvard — simply for the business networking that an MBA from Harvard could provide.

Since Harvard is a renown school with great programs and an excellent reputation, it’s easy to see the appeal of going for your MBA there. (You can see what I think of MBAs in general here.) But while I appreciate the school itself and I’m sure the Harvard Business School has an excellent business network, it’s not the only way to reach high-powered people.

Another friend of mine has a particular system for business networking that’s successfully gotten him a few six figure jobs. His system is elegant, simple, and clever: contact CEOs. It doesn’t take a Harvard degree to see the benefit in doing so.

Here’s what my friend does:

1. Call CEOs in the industry you want to be in.
2. Take them for coffee. (Let them choose the time and place, and be there early.)
3. Ask them three questions:

• How did you get where you are today?
• How do you see your industry unfolding over the next 10 to 20 years?
• How should I position myself to take advantage of that market?

Consider it an informal interview. Often, speaking with a CEO face-to-face opens up opportunities you might not have come across if you’d merely sent in a piece of paper with your achievements on it. To them, you’re another applicant on another sheet of paper. But when they can put a name to a face, you’ve given yourself a leg up on the ladder to success.

Do you know of any other ways to get your foot in the door?