Start Meeting Other People

One of the best ways to learn about new employment opportunities is to talk to other people. Yet why are so many people afraid to initiate a conversation with people they don’t know?

Remember the advice your parents gave you when you were a child? "Don't talk to strangers!" While that served some purpose when you were a child, it's not the best advice to be following as an adult. Will Rogers said, "A stranger is only a friend I haven't met yet." This is a different perspective, but a much more open minded and opportunity laden one.

It just doesn't make sense to follow the old adage of not talking to strangers. Think about it for a moment. If you followed that bit of advice, you would never talk to grocery store clerks, waitresses, or telephone operators. How would you get directions from someone if you were lost? (I know us men have trouble with this one!) Would you drive around until you saw somebody you knew? If you saw somebody you knew, chances are you would be in a place where you wouldn't be lost.

Xenophobia
Xenophobia is a term used to describe what many people suffer from, i.e. fear of rejection from strangers. They are afraid to interact with people whom they have never met. They are the tile counters. Tile counters are people who are afraid of making eye contact with you, and when they see you coming their way, they conveniently look down as if they are counting tiles on the floor, until you pass by. Don't be a tile counter.

Get Started Now
How can you get started meeting strangers? Easy! Start with neighbors you haven't met yet. Go for a walk around your block. When you see a neighbor you don’t know, wave and pay them a sincere compliment about their home or landscaping. All you may get in return is a shy "thanks". Don't stop there. The next time you see this person, wave again and make a positive comment. Introduce yourself.

Get Their Name
A system that I use when I want to meet someone is the fill in the blank method. It works like this: "Oh by the way, my name is Tom Borg and your name is _____________?” If appropriate, shake hands with the individual. This approach is simple, but it works very effectively.

Don't limit yourself to just your neighborhood. How about when you are standing in line at the bank or credit union, the car wash or grocery store? The list of opportunities is endless. So what are you waiting for? Go out and meet a stranger!

If you are interested in a better career in construction visit www.ConstructionJobForce.com

Tom Borg is president of Tom Borg Consulting, LLC. He is a business consultant, speaker, coach and author. He helps companies and organization become more profitable by increasing their value and lowering their costs through the professional development of their managers and employees.