Monday, April 27, 2009

Networking: The Modern Whore

PLUTO IN CAPRICORN
Yes, yes, I know. Pluto isn't a planet anymore astronomically, but astrologically, Pluto still has an influence. In fact, it's the planet of power and it's sitting in the sign of ambition and career: Capricorn. Due to Pluto's long term and widespread influence, we're not going to see its effects on such a personal level, but more worldwide. Its influence is going to show in a lot of drive and determination so keep an eye out for major power plays while Pluto transits Capricorn.

Learn more about Capricorn here.


Work. We all work. We differentiate between "job" and "career." "Oh, this is what I do for my job, but it's not my career." Okay, what is your career? Is your career your passion? Wait, no, that's a hobby. But can a hobby be a career as well? Why not? For someone who comes from the arts world, that's exactly what it seems to be. Acting, writing, dancing, singing, photography, painting - all of these seem to fit into the "hobby" world and yet, people make careers out of them and, in some cases, very lucratively successful careers.

So when does someone get to say that he's a professional? When can someone say that she's an "actor" or a "writer" or an "artist"? When does it move from hobby to career? And then, what are the jobs we do while we're pursuing our careers? And how do we get out of those jobs?

Networking. It's not what you do; it's who you know. Right?

There was an article in today's METRO that explored the world of networking. The basic premise of the article stated that networking is not about talking to strangers; it's about hitting up the people you know and working their angles. Interesting. With the advent of LinkedIn, I now have about 25 contacts that are friends that I can talk to on a professional level and see how they can help me out. Then again, I look at their contacts and some of them have over 100 or even 200 contacts. Obviously, they know how to network and they must be working their dream careers by now! Maybe in some cases, but not overall. There's obviously an element to putting yourself out there that eludes many of us. Else, we'd all be working our dream jobs.

Like the oldest profession, today, it's about selling yourself. Marketing schemes are the biggest they've ever been and strangely enough, a great deal of those are about ways to start a career or land a job. How to work your resume. How to interview. How to follow up an interview. Due to this fading economy, life-coaching and therapy are on the rise, it seems (for those that can afford it). If you can't sell yourself, it's time to find someone who can sell you. Prostitution may not be the most glamorous profession, but it's certainly an interesting model for our business world these days. Move from client to client, entice them with what you have to offer, and reap the benefits. If you are having trouble, find someone more powerful to back you and help you find the right clients. The difference is that in most professions, getting screwed is only a possibility.

Of course, this brings the reverse - what can you do for your friends? Are you a contact of influence? Perhaps it's time we look at ourselves as powerful contacts and market ourselves accordingly. Maybe then the contact that we're looking for - that elusive element - will end up coming to us.

Ambition is on the rise - ride the Capricornian wave.

No comments:

Post a Comment