Networking is for Everyone

Networking is not just attending happy hours and luncheons.  Networking is building a solid foundation upon which to grow a career, launch a search or manage a transition.  Networking should be done on a consistent basis and need not always be formal.  There are a few things to keep in mind about networking. 

When at a networking event or industry function it is not possible to meet everyone in the room.  The object of attendance is to gain insight, learn something new, or widen your circle of acquaintance.  Don’t be tempted to shove your business card at everyone you come across.  Instead engage in meaningful conversation with a few people.  Really zero in on who you are speaking with and plan a strategy to follow up. 

As you meet people at networking events, it is common to enter these relationships with expectations, Expectations that you will gain new insights, be picked for an important project or be introduced to a new opportunity.  No matter how well you hit off in the moment, not all of your networking contacts will be willing or able to help you.

Sometimes there is a temptation to limit our networking efforts to meeting people who can help us.  Rather than concentrating on what others can do for us, networking relationships should be developed without expectations.  Being genuine and open with people will make them comfortable introducing you to people they know.  And they maybe acquainted with someone exceedingly valuable to you. 

It is vital to remember that networking is not what happens at the venue we are attending.  Building a network means forging relationships that grow and develop after the event is over.  Make a call to the person that you found interesting.  Be sure to share your expertise or offer assistance to your new contact.

Building your network with care and deliberation will definitely bring results.  Try it.

Managing Stress

As professionals in a difficult economy, stress and tension can easily enter our lives and stay there.  For those managing a search without a position, stress can become overwhelming.  In order to minimize the constant feeling of agitation and anxiousness it is key to manage the search in a way that we feel in control.  Here are a few things to try that will make your work life and job search less stressful.

Decide how much time you are going to spend searching for a new position.  And once the decision is made, stick to it.  Whether it is one hour or half a day it is critical that the time you spend pays off.  Make a plan for each day and work the plan.  Keep track of efforts and results and tweak accordingly.

Whatever the plan work in an organized fashion.  One day you may dedicate to identifying companies where you want to work.  The next you might spend phoning contacts.  The next day you might dedicate to submitting targeted resumes and cover letters.  Spending all day in front of the computer and reacting to internet postings is not an organized or effective way to mount a job search.

While you are managing a job search either as an employed or unemployed person it is a great time to make yourself a priority.  Identify other goals that are important to you and work toward them.  If you have more free time than you used to, clear up you’re to do list, learn something new, and revitalize important relationships.

And perhaps most important of all do not lose your sense of humor.  Do not take rejection personally Do not allow your mind to become permanently darkened by work life stress.  Approach your search as a serious matter but allow yourself to smile as you do it.  Keep in contact with people and activities that keep your spirits high.

Stress is a factor in many lives.  But to diminish its very negative effects it is key to approach our job search and work life with seriousness, dedication and a smile. Try it.

Own Your Career

For 8 hours a day for upwards of thirty years in a lifetime we are at work.  Here in the United States we work hard and relax little.  To make that working time meaningful is vitally important.  No matter if we are at the top of the heap or negotiating the entry level, in a job we enjoy or managing a transition we need to own our careers.  By taking ownership over some of what happens to us on the job we need to do many things.  Why not make it a priority to do a few of these. 

1.       Make sure your network is solid.  Do you have a large number of professional contacts who can help you find answers, talk through challenges, and alert you to opportunities?  If not spend some time developing the relationships you have in your field of endeavor.  Attend conferences and development opportunities.  Even if at your own expense it will pay off.

2.       Keep your resume updated.  Does your resume include your current position?  Have you added recent courses or certifications?  Is your current phone number and e-mail address on your resume? No matter what the situation you may need to submit a current resume in a hurry.  Take a moment to review yours and make any necessary changes.

3.       Be in constant learn mode.  It may be valuable to you to take a training class in your field that ends in some sort of certification.  Accountants, Project Managers, IT Personnel and Human Resources Professionals are just a few careers that benefit from professional certifications.  All career minded people benefit by keeping their computer skills current or developing their leadership or public speaking persona.

4.       Keep your options open.  There is nothing wrong or disloyal about keeping your options open.  For some that might mean taking a similar job at a different company or it might mean a change of filed altogether.  Get to know companies that call for your skill set.  Find out about other ways to package your experience if you want to change careers.

Owning your career by constantly learning and growing will help you feel a measure of control over your work life.  Try it.

Stay Positive

Well meaning friends and family often caution us not to go after what we want or settle for the first position that comes along.  While a sensible, conservative approach is sometimes exactly what the situation calls for, more often it takes bold action to make our career dreams come true.  Persistent follow through, taking on more responsibility at work networking and development classes are usually what makes a difference in the workplace do not let the people in your life discourage your aspirations.  Surround yourself with people who act as cheerleaders for your goals.  Not people who dampen your enthusiasm for growth.

Colleague’s advice on job search can be valuable.  Lots of times they have been there, done that and can help draw a road map we can follow to increase our visibility on the job or land a new position.  But beware of colleagues who may have an ulterior motive.  If you sense for any reason co-workers are not 100% in your corner, don’t continue to allow their negativity to play a role in your career development plans.

Surround yourself with positive influences.  The media you consume, people you meet socially, work mates you confide in should all mirror your positivity.  Increase your positive vibrations and positive results will follow.  Try it.

Interview Success

Whether we are in a position that we love or are managing a transition, in order to secure a new opportunity one thing that cannot be avoided –the interview.  Think of the interview as a time to showcase your knowledge, skills and experience.  In order to maximize your time with the hiring manager always go into the interview with a strategy to distinguish yourself.  Make the hiring manager see you doing the job.  Make yourself standout from the crowd with a few simple suggestions.

First, really paint a picture in your mind of why you want the position.  Don’t go in with an “I’ll take anything” attitude.  Rather, see yourself as the company’s newest sales professional and visualize your personality and contacts being a help to you in your first 90 days.  See yourself working in a part of town you like or finally getting exposure to the latest software package.  Before any and all interviews see yourself as a success on the job.

Next, prepare by doing some research on the company you wish to become a part of.  A simple Google search is a great way to begin.  If the company does not have a web presence, check with people in your network or find out about businesses in the same space as the company you are looking to join.

The third think to keep in mind during the interview is to answer all questions fully and completely-even the “yes” or “no” questions.  Be specific and if appropriate use relevant technical terms.  While answering interview questions never pretend that you know the answer to a question if you do not.  Keep the interview conversational and interactive by asking questions during the interview as well as t the end of it.

Lastly, as the interview draws to a close, clarify your position as a candidate with the decision maker.  Make a statement such as “I’ve really enjoyed our interview.  I feel like this position really dovetails with my current experience.  Is there anything that would keep you from recommending me for the position?”  Then ask “when might I hear about the status of my candidacy?”  Plan your follow up strategy according to what they have told you is their schedule. 

By planning, articulating and clarifying, interviews can be much less scary.   Try it.

Cover Letters

Whether you are in a transition or trying to locate a better position, a cover letter is part of the application process.  Lots of people worry about what to include in a cover letter in order to make it most effective.  Why not write yourself a cover letter template that you can customize for each opportunity you are interesting in applying. 

The opening should set a cheerful tone with an upbeat greeting noting how you came to know about the opportunity.  Try something like “I am pleased to submit my resume as application for the administrative assistant position advertised on Careerbuilder.com” 

The next part of a cover letter should include a few sentences about why you are the right candidate for the position.  Look over the position specifications and find ways to illustrate your value.  Try something like “At Acme Products, I  was responsible for the entire marketing plan for the cabinet manufacturing division” Include roughly three examples of this sort that make clear why you should be interviewed for this position. 

After illustrating your value simply craft a respectful closing.  Write something like “Thank you for reviewing my credentials.  I look forward to entering into a mutually beneficial dialogue”. 

The object of the cover letter is not to persuade the reader to make a hire.  Rather it is to convince the hiring authority that time would be well spent interviewing you.  So open with a positive greeting, illustrate your value as a candidate, customize your cover letter for each position and close each with respectful anticipation of an interview.  Making your template and customizing it for each opportunity takes the work and worry out of cover letter submission.  Try it. 

Make a Plan

Whether you are looking to grow a career or are in transition, your success depends upon your plan.  Making a plan and working that plan are key to everything we do.  This means setting a goal that we want to achieve in a specific time frame and identifying the action steps to get us there.  The goal could be a promotion within the quarter, an industry change within the year or a new position as soon as possible.  Perhaps we need to take a class or expand our network to get us to the next level.  Maybe our resume needs a re-write or we need to refine our search strategies. Once we are sure of the steps that need to be taken we have the beginnings of a plan. Breaking the word PLAN down as a mnemonic device makes clear some things that we need to do as we prepare for our own success no matter what we are engaged in. 

P is for participate.  Participate in industry conferences, classes, committees at work.  Raise your profile and get new ideas by participating in events that interest you and add to your value as an employee.

L is for learn.  Learn about industry trends so that you can talk about them in an interview.  Learn what is causing your company to spend money unnecessarily so that you can be part of solving the problem.

A is for articulate.  Articulate your goals and your needs to those around you.  Tell people where you see yourself in a year from now and make them a part of your strategy to get there.

N is for network.  Build a network that you can rely upon.  Create a support system around yourself that can help you answer questions, solve problems and alert you to openings that fit your skill set.  Offer people in your network support when they need it.

Creating a plan that supports your vision for your career is so important.  When you put it into practice and see results it is so satisfying.  Try it.