Transcript Slide 1

Professional Networking
Making Powerful Connections
7/21/2015
Professional Networking
Version 2.0
About JobGroup.org
• Mission statement – JobGroup.org empowers
professionals to effectively manage their careers by
promoting networking, volunteerism, and job search skills.
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Eight module curriculum presented weekly
Online resources
Networking events
Recruiter engagement
Volunteers
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About The Presentations
• JobGroup.org is an organization that exists to
facilitate your job hunt and career
• We have compiled the best information that
we have from our own experience and other
sources
• These presentations can benefit hugely from
your input; don’t be shy about asking
questions or contributing!
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About The Curriculum
Managing Your
Online Profile
Developing A
Personal Marketing
Plan
Negotiating
Compensation
Professional
Networking
Interview Tactics
Assembling an
Interview Packet
Contact
Management
Resume
Optimization
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Previous Presentation – Marketing Plan
• How to build your personal job hunt and
career plan
• Elements of the plan: Objective, Progression,
Positioning Statement, Skill Summary, Target
Companies and Environment
• Activities: Research, Networking, Supporting
Materials, Skills, Metrics
• Available from me, shortly up on the website
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Next Presentation – Contact Management
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Networks and Relationships
Enumerating our connections
Value of connections
Relationship Management Tactics
Time management
Contact Assessment and Database
Online and Offline contacts
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Professional Networking - Introduction
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What is networking?
Why should you network?
Who and where?
How?
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Before you go
Managing conversations
Business cards
Follow up and maintenance
• The Result
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What is Networking?
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Seeking specific people out
Getting to know them
Allowing them to get to know you
Finding out how you can help them
Finding out how they can help you
Helping them
Receiving help from them
Symbiosis (sometimes without an agenda)
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Current Trends in Hiring
• "Submitting your résumé and cover letter is not going to
get you a job.“-Jennifer Becker, managing director of Ajilon
Professional Staffing, a division of Adecco Group, the
world's largest staffing firm.
• "Networking is the only game in town right
now. Everything is built on personal
connections, nothing else works," said
Ford Myers, executive career coach and
author of the book, Get the Job You Want,
Even When No One's Hiring.
• Gerry Crispin, co-owner of Careerxroads, a
New Jersey-based consulting firm, says an
employee referral is the best way to
increase your chances of getting a job
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Why Should You Network?
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Most effective means of finding work
Career advice and mentoring
Developing people skills
Learning about your industry and
region
Glean outside opinions
Maintain weak connections
Opportunities to help people
Professional resources
Friendships/Partnerships
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Who?
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People who are….
In a position to hire you
With companies you would like to work at
With companies that have the potential to
become places you would like to work at
• With organizations that have other career
benefit
• Recruiters
• Able to broker connections with the above
groups
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Where?
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Anywhere where the right people are
Networking events
Professional organizations
Career fairs
Training courses
Industry events
Meetups
LinkedIn
Restaurants and bars
Serendipity
Professional vs. Social vs. Online
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Profession Based Networking
• Project Manager – PMI (Project Management Institute)
• Business Analyst – IIBA (International Institute of
Business Analysts
• Administrative Professionals – ASAP (American
Society of Administrative Professionals)
• IT Professionals – OITP (Oregon IT
Professionals)
• Teachers – Oregon Education Association
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Profession Based Networking - Example
• Meeting Agenda (PMI Example)
– Networking (Meet and Greet)
– Vendor Presentation on product that can improve
the lives of Project Managers
– Organization / Chapter News and Information
– Call for Jobs Wanted / Jobs Needed
– Educational Seminar on Project Management
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Industry Based Networking
• HIMSS (Healthcare Information and
Management Systems Society)
• HFMA (Healthcare Financial Management
Association)
• IAIP (International Association of Insurance
Professionals)
• RIAA (Recording Industry Association of
America)
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Pre-Event Preparation
• Have a goal
– Apply marketing plan metrics
• Dress for your audience
– Contextually appropriate
– Confidence boosting
• Bring business cards
– Sufficient quantity
– Professional storage of your and others’ cards
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Managing Conversations – Breaking the Ice
• Plan out who you want to meet in
advance
• Get to know the hosts
• Don’t be afraid to get out of your
comfort zone
• Work on developing opening
statements
• Don’t spend all your time with
people you already know
• Look for people and conversations
that you can ‘naturally’ insert
yourself into
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Managing Conversations – Opening Examples
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To start a conversation
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To make a friend
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Hi, I’ve never been to this event before. You look like a regular—any tips you
could give me on what to expect? What are the best sessions here?
To lighten the mood
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Hi, I see that you work at Company X. I’ve always been interested in their work,
and recently saw a position open up that I’m thinking about applying to. Do you
have any advice for me? What’s it like working there?
To get your bearings
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Hi, have you been to the silent auction table yet? I’m heading over there now
and would love some company.
To get advice
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Hi, I’m Jessica and I work in the PR department at Company X. My role has been
super challenging lately because of all the new regulations around paid
placements in media spots. Have you been dealing with that, too?
How many people do you think are here? Can you believe we have to wear these
awful nametags? Were you here last year when the keynote speaker was late?
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Managing Conversations – Getting to Know You
• Don’t dominate the conversation
• Be an active listener
• Focus on the needs and problems of the other
person
• Instead of being interestING be interestED
• Offer something of value; contacts, referral,
articles, books, etc.
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Managing Conversations - Delivering Your Pitch
• At some point in the conversation
you may be asked about yourself
• Be ready with a solid answer:
your ‘pitch’
• What you do, what you want, etc
• If you do not do a reasonable job
of this people may not be able to
help you even if they wanted to
• Be a good storyteller; be
memorable
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Managing Conversations - Exit Strategy
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General rule: talk for 5-10 minutes then move on
To exit gratefully
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To connect later on
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I had a great time talking with you—are you planning to go to
the expo next month? It seems like something that would be
relevant to both of us, so maybe we could go together.
To get advice and get out the door
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Margaret, I have to head out right now, but I really enjoyed
learning more about your work. Could I get your contact info
to schedule a time for us to finish our conversation?
To plan a follow-up date
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Steve, it was really a pleasure speaking with you. I’m going to
take a look at some of the other exhibits here, but if I don’t run
into you later, I hope to see you at another event soon.
Mike, I’m in a tricky stage in my career and wonder if I could
pick your brain for advice over lunch some time soon. I need to
say hello to a few others here, but can we plan to connect next
week?
To just flee the scene
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Laura, it’s been great getting to know you, but I need to say
hello to a few more folks around here. I hope you have a great
evening.
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Business Cards - Design
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Name
Firm & Title (?)
Phone numbers
Mailing/office address (?)
Email address
Web page(s)
LinkedIn profile page (include logo)
Twitter feed (include logo)
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Business Cards - Use
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Cards are cheap – don’t hesitate
Don’t be a ‘business card ninja’
To strong and weak connections
Not to real estate salespeople
When collecting – annotate as needed
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Where you met
Context of meeting
Required followup
Interesting details
Strength of contact (Blood/Weak/Strong/salesman)
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Followup and Maintenance
• Make sure you get a card/contact information
for people you would like to keep up with
• Connect with them on LinkedIn
• Remember that connections are not one-time
events
• Reach out to your contacts at regular
intervals; ask for advice, keep things fresh
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The End Result
• There isn’t one- this is an ongoing process!
• Over time you will evolve a more substantial
network of connections who know what you
want and can do
• Ideally, you should be well-enough connected
that you go from having to look for work to being
sought after to work!
• Potential side benefits: faster career progression,
mentoring, recognition, etc.
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This Presentation is Available Online
• http://www.jobgroup.org/curriculum
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