This document provides tips and techniques for networking and preparing for interviews. It discusses establishing a personal brand through social media profiles and business cards. It also emphasizes the importance of researching companies, having relevant stories to share in behavioral interviews, practicing mock interviews, and developing an action plan to expand one's professional network.

1. Networking for Interview Success Tips, Techniques and Takeaways Written by: Heather Coleman-Voss, Training Facilitator Edited by: Ron Marshall, Assistant Training Facilitator Ferndale Career Center 713 East Nine Mile Road Ferndale, MI 48220 248.545.0222 www.ferndaleschools.org/fcc facebook.com/ferndalecareercenter twitter.com/ferndalecareer linkedin.com/in/ferndalecareercenter LinkedIn Group: Ferndale Career Center ferndalecareercenter.wordpress.com Hashtag: #FerndaleCC 6/28/11

2. Hope and Ideas for Metro Detroit Job Seekers - Terry Bean, Motor City Connect #MIsuccess

5. Sample Business Card www.vistaprint.com Or try http://us.moo.com/partner/freepack Personal Branding Statement: (Previously called a ‘motto’ or ‘tagline’) Choose a title that best describes you professionally Use strong, descriptive Bullet points to describe who you are professionally. No address is necessary on your business card. Where can your new contact find you? Phone number, professional email address, professional online profiles (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Blog) – consider a two-sided card. Place your name where the font size Is largest.

6. The Professional “Tool Kit”: More Than Meets the Eye Does your portfolio contain the following?: Notepad, two black pens, 10 copies of each version of your resume and a pocket for your business cards. Use the notepad to occasionally take notes during the interview. This gives you points to refer to as you ask questions. Writing down what an interviewer says also gives him/her a “positive psychological stroke.” If you find yourself needing an “eye-contact break,” jot down a note and exhale. This will help you to calm down and refocus. Occasionally, you may find yourself interviewing in a room with no table, or in front of the interviewer’s desk. In these cases, the portfolio can be used as a prop or a makeshift “table” – this reduces the stress of feeling too exposed.