Special report networking_taking it to the next level_2012

SPECIAL REPORT Networking: Taking it to the Next LevelBy Joan Runnheim OlsonWhile some may reserve networking for times when they’re in a job search, others are continuallyworking to build and maintain their network. How about you? Do you know and practice the basics ofnetworking? Have you made a list of your contacts and let each person know what type of work youare seeking or keep them apprised of your career path? Are you plugged into online social medianetworking? If you’ve mastered the basics, you may be wondering how to take networking to the nextlevel.Added Challenge for WomenMen are more often better networked than women. Why is this? Many women drop out of theworkforce to raise children, often re-entering a decade or two later. During this time, these womentypically drop their work network. Even when women continue to work after having children, theyoftentimes take on more of the child-rearing responsibilities than men, leaving little time to build andmaintain their network.Staying MotivatedWhether you’re in the workforce or taking a break, it’s important to keep your network alive.Typically, networking doesn’t result in a job instantly. It takes time to develop, nurture, and expandyour relationships. According to Thom Singer, author of “Some Assembly Required: How to Make,Grow, and Keep Your Business Relationships,” it takes 7-10 meaningful interactions to create aneffective networking relationship.” The same holds true for personal networking.If you’ve been in a long job search, how do you stay motivated? First, ask yourself honestly, “Howmuch time am I really devoting to networking each week?” When seeking work, set a goal of at leastthree 1:1 networking meetings per week. The more you network, the more momentum you’ll gainwhich can be a good motivator. If you’re not in a job search, aim for at least one 1:1 or one groupnetworking meeting per week. Set up a system to prioritize your contacts and a way to stay in contactwith each person in your network.Prioritizing Your ContactsYou may want to consider prioritizing your contacts into “A’s,” B’s, or C’s according to the level ofinfluence they may have on your job search or your career. You’ll want key influencers on your “A”list. This could include hiring managers, industry leaders, and well-connected former co-workers inyour field. Keep in contact with your "As" more often than those in the other categories. Your “B” listcan include family, friends, and acquaintances. You will most likely be in regular contact with yourimmediate family and close friends. Your “C” list may include professionals such as your doctor,dentist, lawyer, hairstylist, etc. These folks come into contact with a large amount of people every day-people that may work at a company with which you’re interested or a hiring manager. Which phase ofPathways Career Success Strategies, LLC © 2012 ● www.pathwayscareer.com ●joan@pathwayscareer.com

the job search or which phase of your career will determine the frequency of contact with each group.And, you may find that some may shift from “A” to “B” etc., depending on your needs.Have a SystemSet up a system that will help you maintain regular contact with your network. Microsoft Outlook,Excel, or JibberJobber are just a few programs that you can use. To manage my networking contacts,I use SendOutCards. Once you’ve identified who is in your network, found a system that works foryou, you’re ready to network.Social MediaSocial media is a good strategy to position yourself as an expert in your field and get noticed byrecruiters and hiring managers. Besides the traditional ways of hiring such as search firms and jobboards, employers are utilizing employee referrals and professional online networks such as Facebookand Twitter. According to the second annual Social Recruitment Survey, employers show a preferenceto recruit candidates via the latter two methods based on the quality of candidates and cost-effectiveness for employee referrals and professional social networks, to recruit candidates. Considercreating your own blog and/or respond to other blog posts and join LinkedIn groups related to yourindustry and posting and responding to questions. This can raise your google rankings and also helpyou be seen as an expert.VolunteerHarvey Mackay, business guru, and author of Use Your Head to Get Your Foot in the Door and DigYour Well Before You’re Thirsty, encourages those just laid-off to immediately start volunteering.Consider volunteering on a high-profile fundraising event for a local charity. Not only will it allow youthe opportunity to develop or fine-tune your leadership, fundraising, and/or speaking skills, it will giveyou a chance to network with people in high places.Non-Mainstream OpportunitiesThe basics of networking include attending job search support groups, joining and participating inindustry-related associations, and attending conferences. How do you find or create networkingopportunities that aren’t in the mainstream?Think outside-the-box. I recently read an article which suggested hosting a networking event in yourliving room, with your job search in mind. Invite your contacts for a “Martini Networking Night.” Askeach guest to bring someone from their own personal network. Provide light snacks, wine, martinis, orother beverages and an opportunity for attendees to network in a casual and relaxed setting. Offer adoor prize drawing like a gift basket filled with goodies or a bottle of wine.“Pink Slip Parties”- a new twist on job fairs, are being held across the country. Job- seekers wear pinkwrist bands and recruiters wear blue. Appetizers and drinks are served. It’s kind of like speed-datingfor job seekers. If there aren’t any of these parties available in your city, consider organizing oneyourself.Pathways Career Success Strategies, LLC © 2012 ● www.pathwayscareer.com ●joan@pathwayscareer.com

Meet-up groups provide another way to network and share your particular interest. Let’s say you’reinterested in wine. Search the internet for a meet-up group in your area for wine enthusiasts. Perhapsyou’re interested in a certain breed of dog, chances are there is a meet-up group in your area for thosewho share that share that same interest.Using Everyday ExperiencesEach person you meet provides you with an opportunity for networking. Whether you’re at a child’ssoccer game or at church, getting your hair cut, or on an airplane, you can use that opportunity to meetnew people. I never miss a chance to strike up a conversation. Whether I’m waiting for my luggage atthe airport baggage claim or standing in line at a clothing store. What have you got to lose? You mayjust rub elbows with the CEO of that company you’ve been dying to work for.Keep in mind that employers like to hire people they know or people that come referred to them. Over70% of executive-level positions are filled through personal connections. Networking isn’t meant to bea once every few years activity when youre looking for a new job. In fact, if you’re well networked,you may not even need to launch a full-blown job search campaign the next time you do find yourselflooking for a new job.Take your networking to the next level. Try some of the above tips and let me know how they work foryou!Joan Runnheim Olson is an internationally certified career coach whose experience is shaped by overa decade of career and leadership coaching, consulting, and workshop training. She foundedPathways Career Success Strategies, LLC over a decade ago and helps professionals move up, moveforward, or move on in their career. Joan has also worked in various venues to encourage non-traditional career paths. For over seven years, she served as a career expert for Monster.com and iscurrently a career coach for CareerBuilder.Pathways Career Success Strategies, LLC © 2012 ● www.pathwayscareer.com ●joan@pathwayscareer.com

Special report networking_taking it to the next level_2012

by Joan Runnheim Olson on Jul 21, 2012

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Special report networking_taking it to the next level_2012 Document Transcript