While most people think about networking as a tool in job search, those who manage their careers well understand that networking is equally important throughout one's career. Actually, those who network well throughout their career generally have a much easier time when it comes to transitioning from one job to another.
In addition to counseling individuals impacted by job loss, I also coach clients who want to increase their effectiveness and expand their influence within an organization. I always emphasize the importance of nurturing one's network as a career management tool. To do this, I recommend that my clients schedule a breakfast or lunch with a different colleague at least once a month. In order to make sure this becomes more than just a good intention, I advise clients to put a note in their calendar on the first day of each month as a reminder to schedule their monthly network meeting. Without putting a process in place like a monthly reminder, networking will fall under the weight of all the other 'to dos' on one's list.
The other thing to remember about networking is that it is an adventure which can lead you in directions you never dreamed of!
In job search you know your first line contacts, often through having worked together, so they think of you within that context which often creates blinders. Everyone they recommend to you is a new person in your network and generally have suggestions and ideas that many of your close contacts may not think of because of the assumptions that familiarity often brings with it. Those you are meeting for the first time are often more expansive and creative in thinking about the areas you might explore. This helps breathe new life into your search and your career and can lead you to paths you might never have thought of.
Remember that networking doesn't stop once you land your next job. It is a life long adventure that can take your career to exciting new places and ease the way through any future job transition, whether it is one resulting from a down sizing or one of your own choosing.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Not Another Networking Post!
Here's the scenario...
It's Monday morning and I'm heading off to the train to go to another network meeting. I run into someone who is also involved in a job search and we have an exchange about how things are going. I tell him I'm going to another network meeting. That bold on the word another is for emphasis. It means it's great that I have another network meeting AND it also means that I'm ready to find something so I don't have to have another network meeting. I may know how important networking is, and I am a cheerleader for others when it comes to getting out there, but I'm only human and even I get weary at times.
So, I board the train with directions in hand and head off to the jungles of lower Manhattan. The outcome of this experience...
Why do I keep sharing these stories about networking?
Now I have to get to work to contact the people whose names surfaced during this network meeting with the goal of setting up another network meeting. And, as long as I have another network meeting to schedule, my search is still in full gear and there are endless possibilities ahead.
It's Monday morning and I'm heading off to the train to go to another network meeting. I run into someone who is also involved in a job search and we have an exchange about how things are going. I tell him I'm going to another network meeting. That bold on the word another is for emphasis. It means it's great that I have another network meeting AND it also means that I'm ready to find something so I don't have to have another network meeting. I may know how important networking is, and I am a cheerleader for others when it comes to getting out there, but I'm only human and even I get weary at times.
So, I board the train with directions in hand and head off to the jungles of lower Manhattan. The outcome of this experience...
- I found the building without any trouble and it was much closer to the train than I had expected.
- The person I met with was delightful...supportive, impressed with my experience (which is great for my self-esteem), and willing to network.
- I walked out with useful suggestions about my resume and the names of people to contact to expand my network.
Why do I keep sharing these stories about networking?
- Because it works.
- Because it is a critical tool in any job search at any level whether you're looking for a position as an administrative assistant or a senior vice president.
- Because it is one aspect of your search that you have more control over. You don't have control over the ads that appear in the paper or in on-line job sites. You don't have control over whether or not a recruiter forwards your paperwork to a prospective employer. You do have control when it comes to networking because there is always someone out there for you to talk to. If you think you've run out of names on your personal list, go to a network meeting or club. Put yourself out there with others who are also networking and are generally willing to share contacts and make suggestions.
Now I have to get to work to contact the people whose names surfaced during this network meeting with the goal of setting up another network meeting. And, as long as I have another network meeting to schedule, my search is still in full gear and there are endless possibilities ahead.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
A Successful Network Meeting
In my post this morning, I mentioned having several network meetings scheduled. One of them took place this afternoon. I would put this meeting in the productive and successful category of job search. What constitutes productive and successful? I walked out with...
Equally important is the fact that I walked out with work to do. In many of my prior posts I've talked about how activity, or lack thereof, impacts my search. The more I network, the more referrals I get, the more I have to do which keeps my spirits up and hope alive. I truly believe I am sowing seeds that will result in a job opportunity, and I'm meeting some really interesting people along the way.
- several excellent suggestions about how I might strengthen my resume
- the names of four people to contact with permission to use the name of the individual I met with today to help open the door
- ideas about different approaches to getting my foot in the door of a college or university
Equally important is the fact that I walked out with work to do. In many of my prior posts I've talked about how activity, or lack thereof, impacts my search. The more I network, the more referrals I get, the more I have to do which keeps my spirits up and hope alive. I truly believe I am sowing seeds that will result in a job opportunity, and I'm meeting some really interesting people along the way.
Everything You Never Wanted to Know About Networking and Certainly Don't Want to Do!
There's a lot of misunderstanding about what it means to network while searching for a job. Many job seekers think networking means telling as many people as they can that they're looking for a job in the hope that one of them will have a position to offer. Asking for a job is actually the fastest way to short-circuit your network. Networking is about starting a conversation. It's about engaging people in your search. When you network by telling everyone you know that you're out of work and asking if they have a job for you, you get one of two answers and two possible outcomes...
YES, which is great because they offer you a job, but this doesn't happen that often and...
NO, in which case the conversation is pretty much over.
Here's one of many job search pearls of wisdom...
People hate to be put on the spot for a job. People love to give guidance and advice.
Tell someone you're out of work and ask if they have a job for you and you will often hear the sigh over the phone or see someone physically pull back from you. It's putting someone on the spot, which is rarely something you want to do, especially when trying to build your job search cheering section. Again, if the answer to the question is no, you have lost the opportunity to start a dialog and expand your network, because that 'no' tends to end the conversation.
Ask someone for guidance and advice and you can almost always get them talking. Creating the conversation enables you to build rapport, get to know each other and get them involved in your search. People generally will not open up about jobs or their contacts unless they have a sense of who you are and feel good about you. It's once you get to that point that the help, support, referrals and possibly even job leads come into play.
It is critical to be just as prepared for a network meeting as it is for a job interview. In fact, while you want to create a dialog during a job interview, there is dual accountability for keeping the conversation going, as the interviewer has asked you to come in to talk. In the case of a network or informational meeting, you've asked for the opportunity to come in and seek some advice. It is therefore your responsibility to come in with questions.
Depending on who you're meeting with and what you want to find out, typical network questions might include...
What are the critical skills or experiences needed to be successful in this position/company/field?
What made you decide to join this company? Go into this field?
What organizations/associations would you recommend I join to expand my network in this field?
Ask for feedback on your resume.
In this great age of Google, simply Google 'questions to ask in a network meeting' and you'll get lists upon lists to help you develop your top 10. One site I find to be very helpful with all job search topics is www.quintcareers.com. They actually have a list of 200 informational interview questions divided by category - new in the field, transitioning, etc.
Network meetings are great opportunities to seek advice about potential roadblocks. Is age a factor? (clearly this is a dicey question to ask, but I put it out there a lot). If it is, ask for suggestions as to how you can either play down your age or use it to your benefit. If you are transitioning from one field to another, ask for feedback on potential wholes in your experience and how to work around them?
Go into network meetings with a pad and a list of questions. Having a good list of questions reflects intent and research and helps create a positive impression. Let the person you're meeting with know that you're going to take notes. Make sure to jot down the name of any companies or specific people mentioned during the conversation. You can come back to this information towards the end of the meeting and say something like..."You mentioned you used to work in Career Services at Montclair State University. I'd like to learn more about their program and approach as I understand they've decentralized their services. Is there someone there you'd recommend I contact?" OR "You mentioned Susan Smith at Citibank. I'd like to talk with someone about the organization. Do you think Susan would be a good person for me to talk to?"
The next part of the equation is to ask for advice about how to make the connection. For example, "Would you recommend I call Susan or contact her via e-mail?" And, most critical, "Would you be willing to let me use your name and/or send an introductory e-mail on my behalf?"
At the close of a network meeting tell the person you've met with that you'd like to stay in touch and keep them posted on your progress. This opens the door to an on-going relationship and enables you to remain present. Remaining present means keeping in touch, sending an interesting article, etc. and thereby making sure someone remembers you when they learn of an opening in their company or anywhere else.
I'd originally titled this post "What is Networking" and changed it to "Everything You Never Wanted to Know About Networking and Certainly Don't Want to Do!" While this may seem negative, I have found few people love networking, especially when seeking a job. Yet, it is a business reality and one that really pays off.
I have found every job I've ever had through networking.
In fact, I have a great meeting scheduled for this afternoon and another one next week. No open jobs, that I know of, but knowledgeable people I know I can learn from and who may be able to refer me to others in the field. I'll keep you posted on my progress!
YES, which is great because they offer you a job, but this doesn't happen that often and...
NO, in which case the conversation is pretty much over.
Here's one of many job search pearls of wisdom...
People hate to be put on the spot for a job. People love to give guidance and advice.
Tell someone you're out of work and ask if they have a job for you and you will often hear the sigh over the phone or see someone physically pull back from you. It's putting someone on the spot, which is rarely something you want to do, especially when trying to build your job search cheering section. Again, if the answer to the question is no, you have lost the opportunity to start a dialog and expand your network, because that 'no' tends to end the conversation.
Ask someone for guidance and advice and you can almost always get them talking. Creating the conversation enables you to build rapport, get to know each other and get them involved in your search. People generally will not open up about jobs or their contacts unless they have a sense of who you are and feel good about you. It's once you get to that point that the help, support, referrals and possibly even job leads come into play.
It is critical to be just as prepared for a network meeting as it is for a job interview. In fact, while you want to create a dialog during a job interview, there is dual accountability for keeping the conversation going, as the interviewer has asked you to come in to talk. In the case of a network or informational meeting, you've asked for the opportunity to come in and seek some advice. It is therefore your responsibility to come in with questions.
Depending on who you're meeting with and what you want to find out, typical network questions might include...
What are the critical skills or experiences needed to be successful in this position/company/field?
What made you decide to join this company? Go into this field?
What organizations/associations would you recommend I join to expand my network in this field?
Ask for feedback on your resume.
In this great age of Google, simply Google 'questions to ask in a network meeting' and you'll get lists upon lists to help you develop your top 10. One site I find to be very helpful with all job search topics is www.quintcareers.com. They actually have a list of 200 informational interview questions divided by category - new in the field, transitioning, etc.
Network meetings are great opportunities to seek advice about potential roadblocks. Is age a factor? (clearly this is a dicey question to ask, but I put it out there a lot). If it is, ask for suggestions as to how you can either play down your age or use it to your benefit. If you are transitioning from one field to another, ask for feedback on potential wholes in your experience and how to work around them?
Go into network meetings with a pad and a list of questions. Having a good list of questions reflects intent and research and helps create a positive impression. Let the person you're meeting with know that you're going to take notes. Make sure to jot down the name of any companies or specific people mentioned during the conversation. You can come back to this information towards the end of the meeting and say something like..."You mentioned you used to work in Career Services at Montclair State University. I'd like to learn more about their program and approach as I understand they've decentralized their services. Is there someone there you'd recommend I contact?" OR "You mentioned Susan Smith at Citibank. I'd like to talk with someone about the organization. Do you think Susan would be a good person for me to talk to?"
The next part of the equation is to ask for advice about how to make the connection. For example, "Would you recommend I call Susan or contact her via e-mail?" And, most critical, "Would you be willing to let me use your name and/or send an introductory e-mail on my behalf?"
At the close of a network meeting tell the person you've met with that you'd like to stay in touch and keep them posted on your progress. This opens the door to an on-going relationship and enables you to remain present. Remaining present means keeping in touch, sending an interesting article, etc. and thereby making sure someone remembers you when they learn of an opening in their company or anywhere else.
I'd originally titled this post "What is Networking" and changed it to "Everything You Never Wanted to Know About Networking and Certainly Don't Want to Do!" While this may seem negative, I have found few people love networking, especially when seeking a job. Yet, it is a business reality and one that really pays off.
I have found every job I've ever had through networking.
In fact, I have a great meeting scheduled for this afternoon and another one next week. No open jobs, that I know of, but knowledgeable people I know I can learn from and who may be able to refer me to others in the field. I'll keep you posted on my progress!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
As Long As There's A Possibility, There's Hope
I was talking to a fellow career counselor today, sharing details of my recent and upcoming activity. He was really excited about and impressed by the meetings I have lined up. Most are network meetings, with no open jobs that I'm aware of. Some are related to volunteer work. My approach is to talk to as many people as I can with the belief that I will be well positioned when openings arise.
I'm always enthusiastic and pleased when my clients tell me they're out there talking to people. In some cases these are network meetings and in others they are actual job interviews. My roll as a 'fan and cheerleader' is to reinforce the fact that the more people they talk to, the more likely it is that they'll land sooner rather than later.
I must admit that I'm more positive and upbeat when I know I have meetings lined up. It's too easy to become discouraged and hopeless when I have nothing in the works. And, the more discouraged and hopeless, the less I feel motivated to work on my search, the more discouraged and hopeless I become. It is a vicious cycle.
The lesson - just keep chugging. Keep checking the web sites, going to networking meetings, job fairs and anything else you can do to make sure you have something on the job search 'to do' list. Find a place to volunteer your services to help productively fill the down time. Getting out and doing something meaningful will make you feel more useful and positive which will keep your job search energy flowing. I'm not sure what the opposite of a vicious cycle is. I just know that keeping active helps you keep positive and keep moving. When you keep moving, things are bound to happen!
I'm always enthusiastic and pleased when my clients tell me they're out there talking to people. In some cases these are network meetings and in others they are actual job interviews. My roll as a 'fan and cheerleader' is to reinforce the fact that the more people they talk to, the more likely it is that they'll land sooner rather than later.
I must admit that I'm more positive and upbeat when I know I have meetings lined up. It's too easy to become discouraged and hopeless when I have nothing in the works. And, the more discouraged and hopeless, the less I feel motivated to work on my search, the more discouraged and hopeless I become. It is a vicious cycle.
The lesson - just keep chugging. Keep checking the web sites, going to networking meetings, job fairs and anything else you can do to make sure you have something on the job search 'to do' list. Find a place to volunteer your services to help productively fill the down time. Getting out and doing something meaningful will make you feel more useful and positive which will keep your job search energy flowing. I'm not sure what the opposite of a vicious cycle is. I just know that keeping active helps you keep positive and keep moving. When you keep moving, things are bound to happen!
Friday, January 15, 2010
Lessons from an Interview
I actually had an interview earlier this month and I learned a lot from the experience.
Situation: I'd written off the job because I'd applied for it back in October and hadn't heard a word. I also noticed that it had disappeared from all job boards. In this market with so much cycling into that black hole, I just figured it was a dead issue. Wrong! I was both shocked and pleased when I got a call on December 16 asking if I'd be interested in interviewing for the position.
Lesson Learned: Job seekers today comment about the lack of communication from hiring companies a lot. It's easy to think that no communication means the job is gone, and in many cases that proves to be true. You just can't assume that it's true in all cases. There are so many variables which impact the speed with which a job is filled. When in doubt, call and find out if the position is still open.
Situation: I'm in transition from one industry to another and my resume clearly reflects where I have and haven't worked. The questions asked in this interview were geared to someone who has operated in the arena I'm hoping to move into not for someone in transition. When I walked in and asked where I should sit, one of the interviewers pointed to the seat at the head of the table and said, 'in the hot seat'. It truly was.
Lesson Learned: When in transition, it is critical to focus on transferrable skills and have examples or stories selected that help the interviewer link your experience with the job they're looking to fill. While I had some of these stories worked out, this interview experience made it clear that I have more work to do in this area.
Situation: I was asked to hold all questions until the end of the interview. I know this creates a Q & A drill rather than a conversation and is a roadblock to building rapport. It is also a roadblock to uncovering the skills most critical to success for the position in question. I held most of my questions until the end, at which point my opportunity to sell myself in a more targeted way was largely gone.
Lesson Learned: By waiting until the end of an interview to ask questions you lose an opportunity to identify what the interviewers are looking for and better target your stories. While I might annoy interviewers who ask me to hold questions until the end of an interview, I'd rather risk their irritation than lose the opportunity to dig for what they're really looking for. In my experience, when you're talking about the skills they need, interviewers will allow you to bend the rules a bit.
Two golden opportunities to do some digging...
That oft times dreaded opening request - tell me something about yourself - is actually a gift. It gives you the opportunity to present a broad picture of yourself and emphasize the skills and experiences most closely related to the requirements listed in the job description. Always end your 2 minute pitch or answer to 'tell me something about yourself' with a question - What part of my background would you like me to expand upon? Which part do you think they'll select? Right! The part that most closely relates to what they're looking for. You now know what to emphasize moving forward.
Another opportunity to do some digging is in the answer to 'what do you view as your top 3 skills or your top 3 accomplishments?' In either case, make it short and sweet. Either list the skills or give them the overview of the accomplishments and ask them 'which of these skills is most critical to success in this position?' (after you list your skills) OR 'which of these most closely relates to the skills needed to be successful in this position?' (after you list accomplishments). In either case, once you have their answer you know what to expand upon or emphasize.
While this is a tough job market, remember that two decisions are being made after an interview...
Do they want to hire you?
Do you want to work with/for them?
Your first indication of whether this is a good fit comes from the conversation, information exchange and rapport established during the interview.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Do You Believe In Magic OR What's in Your Horoscope?
I wrote about my new energy earlier today and, after hitting the publish tab for that post, left to go to a neighborhood New Year's Day gathering. I was/am admittedly feeling pretty good today because I've turned intentions into actions, not only writing a new post but also writing out and mailing some of those holiday cards I'd mentioned earlier.
While I don't tend to check my horoscope, I saw a link on AOL, after I got back from the gathering and decided to click it. Here's what it read...
You have some serious magic working in your favor today, but you must figure out how to harness it. If you cannot find something constructive to do with all your energy, your frustration could build until you lose your temper at someone who probably isn't even the real source of your annoyance. Remember that others are relaxing on this holiday, so don't try to impose your ambitious plans on them just yet.
Again, I don't anticipate or judge my day based on a horoscope, but here's what happened at this neighborhood event.
I chatted with a few people and then ran into a woman for whom my daughter had worked as a babysitter at least 5 years ago. We started to talk and I mentioned that my son is a freshman at Rutgers University. She said, "You must talk to my husband. He started working at Rutgers several months ago." She told me to wait where I was and said she'd bring him over. We'd been about to leave when I ran into her, and after waiting for her to return for 10 minutes or so, decided to head out. On our way out, I found her talking with her husband, wished her a happy New Year and let her know we had to leave. Her husband introduced himself and we started to talk. Small world, or a reflection of the first line in the horoscope, you have some serious magic working in your favor today, he works in an area directly related to my job search target.
As to the last line of the horoscope, remember that others are relaxing on this holiday, so don't try to impose your ambitious plans on them just yet, I know that you don't come on heavy with networking at a social event, rather you try to make the connection and ask if it's OK for you to call during the week to continue the conversation. In this case, after I mentioned career transition and the areas I'm exploring, he offered his card and his help. I will contact him next week to expand our conversation and take him up on his offer to connect me with some of his colleagues both at Rutgers and at his former school.
Now that other line about taking out frustrations on others, if you cannot find something constructive to do with all your energy, your frustration could build until you lose your temper at someone who probably isn't even the real source of your annoyance, there is no question that the stress of this process can make one testy and impact relationships. I know there are times my frustration has led me to be impatient and short with those around me. While this is not nice and not fair, this is a frustrating, stressful process that doesn't always bring out the best in us. Next time you feel down, go back to the first post on this blog and do something to lift your spirits. Share how you're feeling with the people you spend most of your time with and give them permission to call you on your behavior when you're out of line. Be sure to keep the frustration out of your job search. Attitude is critical to a successful job search, so find a way to deal with the frustration and remain positive.
All in all, day one of 2010 was pretty terrific. Now it's up to me to figure out how to harness the magic and move into the year with confidence that I can make good things happen.
While I don't tend to check my horoscope, I saw a link on AOL, after I got back from the gathering and decided to click it. Here's what it read...
You have some serious magic working in your favor today, but you must figure out how to harness it. If you cannot find something constructive to do with all your energy, your frustration could build until you lose your temper at someone who probably isn't even the real source of your annoyance. Remember that others are relaxing on this holiday, so don't try to impose your ambitious plans on them just yet.
Again, I don't anticipate or judge my day based on a horoscope, but here's what happened at this neighborhood event.
I chatted with a few people and then ran into a woman for whom my daughter had worked as a babysitter at least 5 years ago. We started to talk and I mentioned that my son is a freshman at Rutgers University. She said, "You must talk to my husband. He started working at Rutgers several months ago." She told me to wait where I was and said she'd bring him over. We'd been about to leave when I ran into her, and after waiting for her to return for 10 minutes or so, decided to head out. On our way out, I found her talking with her husband, wished her a happy New Year and let her know we had to leave. Her husband introduced himself and we started to talk. Small world, or a reflection of the first line in the horoscope, you have some serious magic working in your favor today, he works in an area directly related to my job search target.
As to the last line of the horoscope, remember that others are relaxing on this holiday, so don't try to impose your ambitious plans on them just yet, I know that you don't come on heavy with networking at a social event, rather you try to make the connection and ask if it's OK for you to call during the week to continue the conversation. In this case, after I mentioned career transition and the areas I'm exploring, he offered his card and his help. I will contact him next week to expand our conversation and take him up on his offer to connect me with some of his colleagues both at Rutgers and at his former school.
Now that other line about taking out frustrations on others, if you cannot find something constructive to do with all your energy, your frustration could build until you lose your temper at someone who probably isn't even the real source of your annoyance, there is no question that the stress of this process can make one testy and impact relationships. I know there are times my frustration has led me to be impatient and short with those around me. While this is not nice and not fair, this is a frustrating, stressful process that doesn't always bring out the best in us. Next time you feel down, go back to the first post on this blog and do something to lift your spirits. Share how you're feeling with the people you spend most of your time with and give them permission to call you on your behavior when you're out of line. Be sure to keep the frustration out of your job search. Attitude is critical to a successful job search, so find a way to deal with the frustration and remain positive.
All in all, day one of 2010 was pretty terrific. Now it's up to me to figure out how to harness the magic and move into the year with confidence that I can make good things happen.
Starting Fresh
So it's a new year and I've decided it's time to renew my commitment to myself, my search and this blog. I can easily sit here and list the things I'd meant to do this past month - the cards I'd meant to get out, the blogs I meant to write, the calls I'd meant to make. OR I can get those cards out before the holiday is truly over, make a list of the calls I'm going to make on Monday and get back to writing and sharing via this blog.
This is truly the first day of the next decade of my life and I'm choosing to start it out with hope and high energy. I find when I am hopeful and take action, I feel better about myself, which inevitably leads to more hope and more action.
I need to comment on the word choosing. It is just too easy to slip into hopelessness because 'the market is tight' or 'I'm too old' or any of the other things we can tell ourselves that allow us to avoid fully engaging in our search and in ourselves. We all have choices to make. I'm not playing Pollyanna here. I acknowledge that we don't have control over everything around us. I know there are some things working against me as I move through the transition from consulting into full time work. Acknowledging some of these roadblocks is important to developing my search strategy. I am also shouting that we do have control over more than we acknowledge and it's in taking action that we find strength, renewal and hope.
So I am choosing to climb back up onto this job search bronco and give it my best. I've made a list of the people I want to call on Monday and I actually have an interview to prepare for on Tuesday (that's a story for another post).
Just writing again makes me feel more in control of my life. So here's to shifting intentions into actions!
I wish you all a happy new year filled with renewal, strength, joy and new adventures!
This is truly the first day of the next decade of my life and I'm choosing to start it out with hope and high energy. I find when I am hopeful and take action, I feel better about myself, which inevitably leads to more hope and more action.
I need to comment on the word choosing. It is just too easy to slip into hopelessness because 'the market is tight' or 'I'm too old' or any of the other things we can tell ourselves that allow us to avoid fully engaging in our search and in ourselves. We all have choices to make. I'm not playing Pollyanna here. I acknowledge that we don't have control over everything around us. I know there are some things working against me as I move through the transition from consulting into full time work. Acknowledging some of these roadblocks is important to developing my search strategy. I am also shouting that we do have control over more than we acknowledge and it's in taking action that we find strength, renewal and hope.
So I am choosing to climb back up onto this job search bronco and give it my best. I've made a list of the people I want to call on Monday and I actually have an interview to prepare for on Tuesday (that's a story for another post).
Just writing again makes me feel more in control of my life. So here's to shifting intentions into actions!
I wish you all a happy new year filled with renewal, strength, joy and new adventures!
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