The Voice of Job Seekers

Mark Anthony Dyson ★ Career Writer ★ Speaker ★ Thinker ★ Award-winning Blog & Podcast! ★ "The Job Scam Report" on Substack! ★ I hack and reimagine the modern job search!

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by Mark Anthony Dyson

5 Ways to Destroy Your Networking Efforts

5 Ways to Destroy Your Networking Efforts
Good networking requires sound judgment. See what I mean below–
This just happened recently:

Hi [INSERT NAME HERE],

I just came across your website and wanted to say that I love what you’re doing.

Yes. For the first time in my life, I was called “Insert Name Here!” I feel special that it was in all caps — inspired by being yelled at, priceless. I’ve been called many things in my life. Some insults were called by relatives and other family members, friends, and enemies but never mistaken for “Insert Name Here.”

Many job seekers network in a mindless way and wonder why his or her networking efforts implodes rather than expand. At a minimum, deepen the relationships you have for more meaning and usefulness. There’s nothing more disengaging than treating people as they are numbers or tools, mindlessly seeking victims or suckers.

In your mind, you’ve assigned people a name and role. In your virtual address book, you’ve placed people by name in part by simply doing this:

First name: Insert

Middle name: Name

Last name: Here

Whenever you need something, just short of begging you blast everyone you can on your LinkedIn status. They all have the same name and the same career. No consideration needed to personalize a message other than what you need, desire, want, or sell.

If you want to destroy your job search, make it easy on yourself and follow these tactics. I promise you’ll alienate most of your valuable relationships by doing these things:
1. Lie about how you met someone. If you don’t remember when someone asks how you met, be honest and say you don’t remember. However, our goal here is to alienate so unless you want to connect, be sure to pour on the sugar by complimenting them on their blog even if his or her last update was a year ago.
2. Forget about being personable. You can combine this with #1. I joined Snapchat recently and noticed a LinkedIn contact was on Snapchat, so I initiated the connection. She asked me, “Who are you?” I told here exactly where, what, how, and why we met. If you want to annihilate your network, guess or, don’t bother to tell them anything. Or maybe you can respond, “Girl, you don’t remember me?”
3. Ask intrusive questions. No, I don’t think you would ask personal questions intentionally, but you MO does fit the person who asks, “Can I spend some time picking your brain?” Unfortunately, you can’t tell the person what you want except to go fishing for an easier way (or more natural person) to help you find a job.
4. Help no one especially when you are the right person. “Just because you don’t feel like it” is good enough to get people to act indifferently toward you. You can worsen it by not responding to direct messages, emails, or phone calls. A sign of a seared conscious (if you want to hit is out of the park) is not offering when a person is in dire need when the person directly contacts you
5. Only respond when you want something too. You’re not so obtuse to not answering calls all of the time, but you manage to remain in the out of touch zone. Someone asks for a favor such as an introduction or information, and you ask for compensated for your time. You don’t want to provide value. It’s a waste of your time
When you don’t value your network, or engage with them, how can you benefit from their worth? Or if you’re not serving them, how will you gain value because of them? Successful networking is not a thing you do–it’s because of who you are and what you give. Now, just think if you did the opposite of everything I suggested, what a small difference it would make?

About Mark Anthony Dyson

I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.

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Filed Under: Networking Tagged With: Networking

by Mark Anthony Dyson

Modern Networking Manners for Your Career

Modern Networking Manners for Your Career
http://traffic.libsyn.com/thevoiceofjobseekers/thevoiceofjobseekers144.mp3

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Modern Networking Manners for Career Success

We know networking is essential to success in business and career management. It should be a staple in your career strategy, but I know it’s not for everyone. I think the book, The Etiquette Edge; Modern Manners for Business Success by Dr. Beverly Langford is perfect for those who are struggling with networking as a thing rather than networking as a way of life.

How has networking helped you and your career? I would love to hear from you in one of three ways:

  1. Call and leave a voicemail at 708-365-9822, or text your comments to the same number
  2. Go to TheVoiceofJobSeekers.com, press the “Send Voicemail” button on the right side of your screen and leave a message
  3. Send email feedback to mark@thevoiceofjobseekers.com

Beverly Langford, Ph.D. is president of LMA Communication, that specializes in strategic communication and interpersonal effectiveness. She is a professor at Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University. She has been quoted in large print and online publications such as the New York Times and Forbes.

Here are a few highlights of our conversation:

  • Networking is essential for mutual benefit, not just the job seeker
  • Plan to give much more than receiving (perhaps 5-6 times more)
  • Schmoozing could intimidate an introvert but he or she may have the advantage because they listen intently
  • Schmoozing is most effective when it’s “others focused”
  • Clarity is essential for the initiator of the coffee or lunch meeting. Have one or two clear objectives before meeting

Also, join our Linkedin community! You’ll enjoy some of the insights shared by community members and other career pros!

If you’re a career pro and love giving career advice, let me know. I would love to have more guest writers during my hiatus and beyond. Thanks for being among the thousands who listen every month. There’s so much more to come so stay tuned!

About Mark Anthony Dyson

I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.

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Filed Under: Networking Tagged With: Networking

by Mark Anthony Dyson

How to Get Job Referrals With a Small Network

How to Get Job Referrals With a Small Network
http://traffic.libsyn.com/thevoiceofjobseekers/thevoiceofjobseekers136.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

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For this last summer episode, this is a recent interview with Margo Wickersham who has a Blab show. Originally, she was going to have Hannah Morgan on her show. However, at the last minute Hannah couldn’t do it so Margo called me to fill in. You will see we had quite a robust conversation–get that coveted external referral!

How important are referrals to your career? Let’s talk about it. I would love your feedback in one of three ways:

  1. Call and leave a voicemail at 708-365-9822, or text your comments to the same number
  2. Go to TheVoiceofJobSeekers.com, press the “Send Voicemail” button on the right side of your screen and leave a message
  3. Send email feedback to mark@thevoiceofjobseekers.com

How to Get Job Referrals

    Let me tell you a little bit more about Margo Wickersham. She provides business coaching and training for entrepreneurs through her website, MargoWickersham.com. She is a long-time executive and senior manager in the marketing space. Her Blab show is geared towards helping business people and job seekers thrive with advice and tools useful to achieve success.
    Here are some of the highlights of our conversation:
  • Everyone has a skill set regardless of who you are. Even if you’re a Certified Nurse Assistant who has to sit with a patient with behavioral challenges, you have to be patient and courageous. Everyone has to extract from themselves what makes them marketable and referable
  • Investing in your network’s worth is the way to engage future referrers way before you need to find the next job
  • Your family and friends are still part of your network. Many unemployed job seekers don’t want family and friends to know, although not always as useful, they are emotionally vested
  • Margo added a good referral network doesn’t happen overnight but overtime
  • Many levels and layers are essential but it’s about relationships, context, and community
  • Being a good referrer helps you understand the dynamic. Margo mentioned “paying it forward” was essential in adding value to your network
  • Referrals whether giving or receiving should be an overflow of the heart. Build context!
  • Disrupt the hiring process by getting a referral. You “jump the shark” and automatically considered with candidates deemed highly-qualified by the ATS (Applicant Tracking System)
  • Margo shares a story of how she was able to re-connect with LinkedIn contacts and got a referral and a job
  • Familiarity is practically everything, even if it is not a close contact
  • Trust equity is associated with the person who refers you. The interview becomes a conversation rather than interrogation
  • Referrals can be positively disruptive, often meaning you’ll be memorable
  • Relationships even after the referrals is essential to your career and personally. Gratitude and the value exchange positively adds value
  • Giving more than taking says much about your character
  • How do  you connect to more people when you just are in contact with 20? LinkedIn is the best at increasing your connection numbers quickly

Need help with your career goals, directions, or efforts? Do you need coaching or instruction? I am here for it!

Also, join our Linkedin community! You’ll enjoy some of the insights shared by community members and other career pros!

This is the last show of the summer. The next one will be Sept 6. I will be publishing new articles (up to 3x a week) on the blog. If you’re a career pro and love giving career advice, let me know. I would love to have more guest writers during my hiatus and beyond. Thanks for being among the thousands who listen every month. There’s so much more to come so stay tuned!

About Mark Anthony Dyson

I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.

  • Mail
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  • Web
  • |
  • Twitter
  • |
  • Facebook
  • |
  • LinkedIn
  • |
  • More Posts(777)

Filed Under: Job Referrals, Networking Tagged With: Job Referrals

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I moderated a panel on Wealth Management for executives by Black Enterprise Magazine in October 2023 in Miami.

I was interviewed on Scripps News show, “The Why!” 4/13/2023

I talked with John Tarnoff and Kerry Hannon of “The Second Act” podcast about job searching after 50 in October 2022.

I was on “The Career Confidante” podcast to talk about “boomerang employees” and “job fishing” in June 2022.

Making Job Search a Lifestyle With “Dr. Dawn Graham on Careers,” SiriusXM Ch. 132, Wharton School of Business May 2021

In October 2025, I was interviewed by Nafo Savo, of Marketplace Tech, National Public Radio show

Beverly Jones, host of the NPR podcast “Jazzed About Work,” invited me back to talk job scams, job search trends, and AI tools in April 2024

WOUB Digital · Episode 183 : Job search expert Mark Dyson says beware of scams, know AI & keep learning

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