| Lately I've been asking my clients about their | | | | one-start one. Contact a local career coach in your |
| networking strategy. I've even decided to add | | | | area and ask them if they'd be interested in hosting it. |
| coaching people on networking strategies to my roster | | | | As long as they're providing good content and advice, |
| of services - it's becoming THAT important in this job | | | | they'll be a huge help to the group. While you're on |
| economy. Sitting at home, in your fuzzy slippers and | | | | meetup.com, check out other special interest |
| applying for jobs online just ain't cuttin' it. Here's the | | | | groups-like movie going groups, board games, wine |
| two-step process to improving your network. | | | | aficionados. All of those activities gives you a chance |
| 1. Figure out how to talk about yourself. Check out to | | | | to meet new people and broaden your social network. |
| figure out how you should talk about your experience. | | | | Another good option is to take a class, either through |
| The Wizard takes you through questions like Who you | | | | your school District's Continuing Education program or |
| are, what you specialize in, what you do, and why | | | | a local college. My friend Gilda Bonanno teaches great |
| you're the best at what you do. (gee..exactly what you | | | | classes in CT on Presentation Skills, (beefing up your |
| should have on your resume and be talking about in an | | | | skills in this area looks awesome on a resume, BTW). |
| interview...imagine that.) The key is to introduce yourself | | | | You can also take a business class that interests you |
| in a way that's memorable so that people remember | | | | at a local community college. Want to explore your |
| who you are and what you do; and Second of all: | | | | options in project management? Then sign up for a |
| want to help you. You want them to become your | | | | workshop on that topic. |
| sales force on the streets looking for jobs for you. | | | | Attend association events. It's not enough to be a |
| Case in point: I have many clients, each one with their | | | | member of the American Marketing Association and |
| own unique talents and skills that I enjoy crafting into a | | | | checking their job board, you need to show up at a |
| great resume or helping them highlight in a job | | | | meeting and charm them with your personality. Looking |
| interview. Since I know my clients really well, I've | | | | for a job with a local company? Check out your |
| always got my radar on for ways to help them. This | | | | town's Chamber of Commerce meetings. You can |
| morning I got a follow-up call from someone whose | | | | peruse their list of members to get a feel for the types |
| resume I'd done several months ago; Tom. He landed, | | | | of people who attend. Chances are that you won't be |
| and then was recently let go through no fault of his | | | | in competition with many other (if any) jobseekers. |
| own. This afternoon I went to lunch with a current | | | | Make conversation with the businessperson by asking |
| client, Rick and told him about Tom's background and | | | | about how they're faring in this economy, get their |
| what he was looking for. Rick gave me a fabulous | | | | thoughts on what's happening in the local market. Then |
| lead that could help Tom. Because I thoroughly | | | | introduce yourself as someone in transition, and say |
| understood Tom's background, I was willing to stick my | | | | that you're looking to network with people in x industry |
| neck out for him and advocate his abilities. | | | | or y company. NEVER ask for a job. You're just trying |
| This is what you need as a jobseeker. You need | | | | to get an introduction to someone who has the |
| advocates. You need to turn people you meet into a | | | | potential to help you, either with advice about your skills |
| sales force who will stick up for you and go the extra | | | | or someone who has an idea of other avenues for |
| mile to help you. Think about recommendations you've | | | | your job search. People at Chamber meetings are |
| made to other people about restaurants, dry cleaners, | | | | master networkers. Always keep in mind that people |
| doctor's, etc. What qualities did those people or | | | | will speak up for others whom they know and like. |
| services have that caused you to speak out about | | | | Why does networking work well? The problem now is |
| them? What made them stand out in your mind? Since | | | | that hiring managers and recruiters are being flooded |
| you're now looking to BE recommended, you've got to | | | | with resumes for their open postings. It's much easier |
| exhibit those qualities when meeting people to get | | | | for them to listen to a recommendation from a friend |
| recommended. You need to turn them into advocates | | | | or co-worker about someone who is a great |
| for your cause and funnel job leads and ideas back to | | | | candidate, check out your resume and discuss the |
| you. Will you get some leads that you don't want? | | | | position with you. Don't you go to restaurants and buy |
| Yup. Does it matter in this economy? Nope. Just pass | | | | cars that other people recommend before you strike |
| it along to someone else you know who might benefit. | | | | out on your own? It's the same decision-process for |
| 2. Look for places where you can now hone this | | | | hiring managers. |
| fabulous sales-pitch of yours. First, look for jobseeker | | | | The trick is that they don't know you unless you make |
| groups that meet in your area. There's about 4 here in | | | | yourself known. Time spent networking is more |
| Southwestern CT, and I'd imagine that they're popping | | | | productive than sitting on your couch worrying about |
| up around the country at this point. You can also go to | | | | your jobsearch. |
| and look for other jobseeker groups. If there isn't | | | | |