Effective Networking in Seven Easy Steps
Effective Networking in Seven Easy Steps
Effective Networking in Seven Easy Steps
According to experts in the field, the actual numbers of unadvertised jobs vary. Whatever the number, the reality is that the exact numbers don't matter if you happen to be one of those individuals who is without a steady flow of income.
Once you find yourself in the position of having to find a new stream of income, it is critical that you view this challenge with the mindset that your new full-time job is to find yourself a new job. Understand that it is likely that job of finding a new job is far more challenging that you ever thought possible. The job of finding a new job is no more difficult than any other challenge you have experienced, it does however play upon your ability to be self-motivating, which is a challenge for most. It is far too easy to wake up far later than usual, meander to the kitchen to brew yourself a cup of java and perhaps fix yourself some breakfast sometime before noon. If you happen to have school aged children at home, then getting up later than usual won't be an option, but not going back to bed after you have sent them on their way will become part of your morning inner conflict. Resist the temptation to go back to bed! Sleeping, however inviting is the thought, is not networking. Once the children are off to school, get dressed, if you haven't done so already, and get to the business of getting yourself a job. The sooner you get yourself into this mode of thinking, the better off you will be.
This article should be viewed as a mini-tutorial on the subject of networking effectively. Once you understand the facts, and take the time to learn and implement the seven steps to effective networking, you will find yourself inundated with all kinds of opportunities and your job search challenge will soon change from, "Where can I get a job?" to "For which company should I choose to work?" The first part of this tutorial requires that you embrace the following facts:
Fact 1: The majority of jobs are never advertised
Fact 2: Effective job searching requires effective networking
Fact 3: There are no 'tricks' involved in effective networking
Fact 4: Effective networking is a skill that can be learned by anyone in just minutes
Fact 5: All social events and gatherings are networking events
Once you have adopted the above-listed facts and hold them as unalterable truths in your mind, it will be time to move on to the actual steps involved on the road to effective networking.
Step One: Prepare for the event. Brush your hair and teeth. Dress comfortably and appropriately. Have your calling cards / business cards easily accessible. Keep your cards in a card holder in the outside pocket of your jacket or blazer. Never give anyone a card that is dirty, outdated, or has tattered edges. Business cards that are dirty, are stale dated i.e. incorrect phone number/contact information, or have tattered edges will reflect badly on you. Dirty and tattered cards send the message that you do not care enough about yourself to present yourself well, and future employers will see these actions in an unfavourable light and will never call you. It is also unlikely that anyone you have met during a networking session and have chosen to distribute this unprofessional token reminder of who you are, and your qualifications, will suggest that you call anyone they know regardless of well qualified you are for the position.
Step Two: It is important to remember the following tips before you enter the networking event:
o Pop a couple of breath mints in your mouth before you enter. Stay away from chewing gum. Be careful of the topics of conversations that you choose. Topics of conversations that are 'safe' include weather, books, movies, electronic gadgets, vacation destinations, food, etc.
o Evaluate your handshake. Your handshake should be firm and show confidence. On the subject of handshakes, note that not everyone is eager to shake hands, especially during the flu season. If you are hesitant to shake someone's hand or are uncomfortable extending your hand to shake the hand of another, smile and tell them that you have the flu, and would not want to be responsible for spreading germs.
o Mentally prepare for delivering your 30-second personal ad. Your personal ad should contain the following information:
o Your name
o The name of the company for which you work, if, you are currently working. If you are currently between opportunities, state your former job title
o The elements of your job that helps others
Step Three: SMILE! Make eye contact with people. Watch your posture. Keep your body language open. Do not cross your arms in front of you. Take your hands out of your pockets. Avoid or limit the amount of time you hold beverages or dishes in your hands. If you are at an event that supplies appetizers, stay away from items that cannot fit into your mouth in one bite and avoid hors d'oeuvres that will leave you with something that needs to be discreetly disposed of like a chicken or rib bone, olive pit, satay stick s, etc. Do not sit down unless the event specifically calls for it, as would be the case during a breakfast, lunch or dinner meeting. If you are holding a purse or a briefcase, find a way to tuck it away until you need it.
Step Four: Look either for people who are standing alone or in a group of three. People who are heavily engaged in one-on-one conversations seldom want their tte - - tte interrupted.
Step Five: Act as if you are hosting the event. Introduce yourself. Ask them for their name. If you are job seeking, continue to ask simple but non-intrusive questions. Asking open-ended questions is especially effective if you are shy. As long as people are talking about themselves, the focus is not on you and you can relax. Ask open-ended questions like, "Where are you from? What was the traffic like on the way here? How did you find out about the event? Do you know anyone who is already here? Have you been to these kinds of events before? What was your experience?" Do not share with them that you are looking for a job unless they ask. On the subject of work, approach the topic by asking questions about the job or work they do. Be open any curious about the things they like about their job, the things they would change, if the could. As you express a genuine curiosity about them and their work, they will feel more comfortable talking to you and they will think of you and your enthusiasm when a job or opportunity does arise. The added bonus for this line of conversation is that it aides in your ability to draw other 'strangers' into the conversation. Drawing 'strangers' into the conversation, you are also setting up your 'exit strategy'. Once you have introduced these two 'strangers' to each other by identifying the things they do or do not have in common, you can graciously remove yourself from the conversation and move on to meeting the next 'stranger'. Before you leave, it is critical that you do the following:
o Smile and tell them it was a pleasure meeting them. If you can remember their name, even better. If you can't remember their name, it is the perfect excuse for you to take out your calling / business card and hand it to them. Try to make them smile as you give your card away by saying something like, "I know my name because it is written on the card that I am about to give you. It is a good thing that I have a lot of cards, I tend to forget my name, a lot." Then you can easily segue into asking them for their card. The object of the game here is to get their card. Once you have their card in your hand. READ IT. Especially make note of their title. Use their name and shake their hand when you say good-bye.
Step Six: Once you have stepped away from the conversation with your latest new found friends use the back of their cards to make notes about the conversation you just had with them. These notes will come in handy when it comes time for you to do your follow-up.
Step Seven: Follow-up! At the end of the event, you should have collected several cards. If you asked good open-ended questions when you met them, these interesting facts should be noted on the back of their card and you can refer to something that was said during the first time you met in the e-mail that you will send them the next day. The content of the e-mail should be very simple. Hello [insert name], It was a pleasure meeting you at the [insert the name of the event]. Close the e-mail with your name, job [job title] that you have or want to have, and any other contact information. If, during the course of the conversation, you promised to forward some information, include it in this e-mail.
With a little bit of prac
Now Pay Close Attention --
Making money online with e-commerce is simpler than you've been told. Everyone faces the same two problems:
[Problem #1] How To Get Your Online Store Started
[Problem #2] How To Bring Traffic To Your Store To Produce Sales
ZamZuu has been solving these two problems for thousands of people! ZamZuu has been tried and tested and known to produce excellent results.
First: Visit ZamZuu Here
Learn How Your Can Start Your Own E-Commerce Store For Next To Nothing and Make THousands Monthly Using Our Proven Secrets!
Second: Sign Up For More Information From ZamZuu
We will show you exactly how you can start your e-commerce store and begin making profits online in as little as 7 days!
Building a Brand – The Importance of the Internet Domain Name Sick of Craigslist? Try Buying and Selling Within Your Social Network Is Social Networking Worth Your Time? Tips on Keyword Research for Social Networking Sites Hire PHP Coders from India for enhancing the Internet presence of your websites A – B – C of internet marketing services Hire PHP Developers from India – Talents available in huge numbers How To Position Yourself As An Expert On The Internet - Online Marketing Strategy Tips That Work Inventory Of 09 Internet Tv Market, Led Into A Hot One Machine - The Number One Machine, Led Tv - Policy Should Be Fully Assessed: The Mandatory Pre-installed Internet Filtering Software Being Green Easy To Avoid Internet Marketing Blunders Utilizing The Blueprint Project Amoi Mobile Service Said Date Display An Error Can Not Be Returned - Amoi Phone - Hc Network Selecting An Internet Service Provider For Business Use