Networking Career Prospectors West End Feb 17, 2009 By Charlie Wood of Attributes For Success

1. Networking Career Prospectors West End Feb 17, 2009By Charlie Wood of Attributes For Success • Why • Where • When • How

2. Why Network: • Who is William Dawes? • Who is Paul Revere? • The Difference? . William Dawes Paul Revere

3. Networking was the Difference Night rides of April 18, 1775 from Boston to Concord • “Paul Revere’s ride is perhaps the most famous historical example of a word-of-mouth epidemic” from “The Tipping Point” by Malcolm Gladwell. • Dawes route was similar • but Paul Revere knew which doors to knock on • he knew the militia leaders and many others in. • People had confidence in Revere • They trusted him enough to get our to bed and go to war. • Networking played a role in the first victory of the American Revolution. • It will help you find contacts and information. • Build relationships, confidence and trust. • Develop solutions.

4. “Six degrees of separation”Utilize your connectivity

5. Where, When and Who? • Where do you start: • Start with the folks you know: Family, friends, neighbors, wedding, funerals, tailgates. Wherever you find people. • The University of Richmond had a job event connected to a basketball game last week. • Parties • An acquaintance threw a party to announce his job loss and start the career search. • Volunteer at Civic & non- profit organizations, Church. • Make contacts and positive impressions as you demonstrate your skills

6. Additional suggestions • Get Business Cards – You need everybody to have your contact information and giving it to someone is an easy way to ask for theirs. • Alumni & industry associations, BNI and networking group functions, • Volunteer at events. Work registration. The best place is from the front of the table where you can pin on the name tags on the “Right” side and shake hands. • Job Fairs: • You may not find a job, but ‘work’ the event to find info & connection. • The hour before job fairs close is often very slow. It is time to ask for information and make connections with folks know about more than current jobs openings. • Find “connectors”! They gained thousands of contacts by helping folks like you. • Fred Carreras knows everyone in Chesterfield and is waiting to meet you. • It is a givers game: Give more, Get more contacts, leads, respect.

7. Let friends know of your job search Ask for help \ Contacts • After an emotional loss it is often easier to talk with a stranger or associates than close friends. • Often in the case of a loss, friends do not want to approach the subject relating to your loss. • Friends are willing to help but do not want bring up a subject for fear of increasing your stress, grief or worry. • It is often easier if you bring up the subject. • Suggestions: • Keep those close to you up to date on your job search. • Pick 3 to 4 people you are close with, ask them to help with your career search and to help you be accountable. • Send them a copy of your “elevator speech” and ask for feedback. Expect suggestions, leads and contacts.

8. A friend in need is a friend indeed‘One who helps when you are in need is a true friend’ • He does Clown around a lot. • When I ‘fall off’ I want a person I can count on in my network.

9. Find your dream job • “If you had $3 million, and still needed to have a job, what would you do?”  • The answer helps you to focus your career search. (jobs you love and fit) • Knowing ‘your job' will make you a more effective networker. If you don’t know ‘your job’ set a priority to determine what jobs are a best fit for you. • It will help communications with your existing network and friends.

10. A career search is a full time JobNetworking is a Lifetime Job • To be more effective: • Set action goals to increasing your network • Events to attend, list of people you need to meet, number of new folks with whom you will speak ( all this week) • Find a tool to help organize your contacts: • Microsoft Outlook is effective • Sorts by Name, Company, Categories, Distribution list • Once you develop relationships work to keep them. • Find effective ways to stay in touch.

11. Do it List: • Be action oriented—Just Do it. • Attend events: • Be early for events, stay late (Prime time networking) • Focus on finding contacts, not the best table • Include strangers at your table • Long buffet lines present networking time for those who let others move ahead. ( Being amiable can also make a positive impression about you) • Hold one-on-one meetings with other job seekers. • Enhances relationships, knowledge and trust of each other. • Opportunity to better understand what you do – will generate more leads. • Find the folks that can \ are promoting you. • People are more receptive to someone else talking about your skills and accomplishments. It will open doors, but you still need to follow-up.

12. Elevator speechsimple & to the pointLess is More. • To gain an opportunity to give ‘your speech’. • First Ask about the other persons occupation, or needs • Listen carefully as they may open the door to specific issues or contacts that you will need to inquire about. • In your speech, do not explain all you do. • Keep to a single theme. • Use a memorable statement. • Too much info in an introduction can confuse listeners. • Use I am … with comments of experience. Do not use I was…. • It may be hard but it is time to move on from the last position • If you bore people, they will want to get away. • 60 seconds too long. • Your should try to generate questions. • Exhibit the energy, passion and positive attitude you have for your career. • Ask for specific information or contacts: -Example: If you ask for a contact in Biology at VCU, it may lead to a contact at UVA Ask the other party what they do and what challenge they are facing. Listen, Listen for a reason to follow-up with a visit / phone call

13. Only because I ask about you, your issues and concerns. I listened, offered to help and demonstrated that I care and am willing to help.

14. Information-Interviews areFocused networkingMay be the best tool in today’s job market. • Use this tool to get information about the current state of the industry, company & to gain other quality contacts. • Do not ask the contact for a job. • They may become defensive and refer you to HR, which is not the place you want to go. • Focus on the needs & opportunities of the organization / of the contact. • Listen- Listen-Listen: Find a reason to follow-up. • Ask for permission to follow-up. • Information-interviews can help build confidence in your attributes & skills. • This is like an inside One-on-One • Send a thank you note. • Follow-up on any open issues • You should become apart of this individuals network and they of yours • After an interview, the contact will often mention and/or refer you to others

15. Network to build confidence • People fearful of investing and spending in today's economy. • The same is true for organizations and managers who create jobs. • Network to develop relationships and build confidence among those who hire and influence managers who create jobs.

16. Network progression: • It is not what you know, it’s who you know • It is not who you know, it’s who knows you • It is not who knows you it’s who has trust and confidence in you.

17. People remember you more for what you ask than what you tell. • More for what you do than what you say. • Networking is a givers game: Providing help for others will generate helping hands to solve your puzzles.