Why a face-to-face request can change your career

How often does it happen when you’re on the job hunt, looking for a recommendation, or asking for a referral that you feel like you’re reaching out to your professional contacts and “fans,” sending multiple emails, texts, and follow-ups only to receive minimal, if any, response?

This is a common frustration, but scientific research may explain why digital silence is normal, and how you can be incredibly more effective in getting positive responses to your requests simply by asking someone face-to-face.

According to a new study, face-to-face requests are 34 times more likely to be successful than text or email requests. Asking a request of 6 people in person is the equivalent of making the same request to 200 people via email.
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The study states that most people still believe that an email request will be as effective as an in-person ask because their intention is just as genuine in each instance, but when making the request people don’t take into account the feelings or reactions of the recipient, who might call into question the authenticity of the individual or the request.

Chris Rock and Girl Scouts selling cookies at the 2016 Oscars

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