Networking Hokies Helping Hokies

1. NetworkingHokies Helping Hokies Where, When and How May 20, 2010 Charlie Wood Attributes For Success CharlieWood@AttributesForSuccess.com

2. Intangible Success Factors • Open and Positive Attitude • Confidence • Proactive Listening • Mind-set of Helping Others • Follow-up Attentiveness

3. Fundamentals • Basketball Players do not start with extremely difficult shots but with the fundamentals: • Passing, Dribbling, Ball Handling, Playing Defense, Moving Without the Ball.

4. Networking FundamentalsIncrease confidence to take “your shot” • Proactive in making contacts • Use of Business Cards • Name Tags • Elevator Pitch • Self Marketing Plans • Resume • Research • Social Media • Information Meetings • Networking Events and Support Groups

5. Job Search Support Groups • Career Prospectors Southside,  Meets every 7:30 every Monday at Village Bank Headquarters, just show up. • Career Prospectors West End,  Meets every Tue 7:30 at Three Chopt Presbyterian Church. The shared wet site for Career Prospectors is (www.career-prospectors.com and the LinkedIn Group which you should join is http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1840263&trk=hb_side_g • St Michael's Job Assistance Ministry (JAM), St Michael's Church, 4491 Springfield Rd, Glen Allen (www.saintmikes.org/pastoralcare/job_assistance.html)Meets every Wednesday at noon - just show up. • Virginia Career Network- several groups around the area, meeting on various days.  (www.virginiacareernetwork.com) • Needle's Eye Ministries - an interdenominational faith-based support group providing spiritual support to those in job transition. (www.needleseye.org and nemctg.wordpress.com/know/) • Workforce Center at Innsbrookat 4060 Innslake Drive, Glen Allen, VA 23060, Phone 804-273-6260. Has numerous Job seeker lead support efforts and 6 job clubs.

6. Where to Network? • The best place is a VT tailgate • Other good places include: Building a network is lifetime work!

7. Elevator Pitch Key Elements -I am, not I was, … brief experience, status • Less is More – create interest & questions • Your objective … what you to do for others • Your needs & request --- • Ask for introductions vs. contacts • Information Meetings --- Do not ask for a job Make them comfortable setting up “blind date”, not “arranging marriage” • Listen, Listen, Find a way to help Them • Follow-up make it easy for others to help you

8. Business Cards Great Lead for introductions & notes • Professional & Legible • Include link to your LinkedIn Profile • Must have key words of your profession • Businees Cards free at Vistaprint • http://www.vistaprint.com/vp/welcome.aspx?xnav=welcomeback&rd=2

9. Nametags for Recognition • How much money does Coke spend to put a name on a can? • Is knowing you worth more? • Nametags increase approachable. • Use a name tag to market yourself Include your profession. • How do you follow up if you don’t remember the name?

11. Why Information Meetings • Targeted – Focused Networking • Great way to research companies \ Industry • Develop contacts “close to a job” How many times have you spent ½ hr. with someone that you didn’t tell others about? • Build confidence… a test drive interview • Is not a time to ask for a job • Gaining and Holding Informational Interviews How to get yourself “In the drawer” Power point presentation at http://career-prospectors.com/pdf/Informational%20Interview.pdfthe career prospectors web site

12. Marketing Plan Your Name Address Phone / Email Professional Objective: Text Preferred Functions: Text Positioning Statement: Text Competencies: Target Market Characteristics: Geographic Location: Industry or Type of Organization: Size of Organization: Organizational Culture: Target List:

13. Elements of a Self Marketing PlanAn expanded elevator pitch on paper • Summary– professional objective, preferred functions, positioning and competencies • Your Competencies • TargetMarket Characteristics and the list of companies and organizations to whom you would like an introduction (10 -25) specific companies See Template – find on the Career Prospectors LinkedIn discussion board

14. Get comfortable with your shot • Be Proactive • Keep moving to get your best shot • Listen, Listen, Listen • Help others • Make it easy for others to help you • Follow-up • Follow-up

15. Job Search Support Groups • Career Prospectors Southside,  Meets every 7:30 every Monday at Village Bank Headquarters, just show up. • Career Prospectors West End,  Meets every Tue 7:30 at Three Chopt Presbyterian Church. The shared wet site for Career Prospectors is (www.career-prospectors.com and the LinkedIn Group which you should join is http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1840263&trk=hb_side_g • St Michael's Job Assistance Ministry (JAM), St Michael's Church, 4491 Springfield Rd, Glen Allen (www.saintmikes.org/pastoralcare/job_assistance.html) Wednesday at noon - just show up. • Virginia Career Network- several groups around the area, meeting on various days.  (www.virginiacareernetwork.com) • Needle's Eye Ministries - an interdenominational faith-based support group providing spiritual support to those in job transition. (www.needleseye.org and nemctg.wordpress.com/know/) • Workforce Center at Innsbrookat 4060 Innslake Drive, Glen Allen, VA 23060, Phone 804-273-6260. Has numerous Job seeker lead support efforts and 6 job clubs.