Networking/ Value Proposition

Networking/ Value Proposition A Guide To Success Alma H Rosales Gil Saenz RS&Associates, LP

What Is Networking? Any contact with professionals RS&Associates, LP

Examples Of Networking • Career fairs • Contests – college bowl, college decathlon, etc • Informational interviews • Mentoring programs • Corporate outreach events • Home, family, neighbors, friends • Professors, staff, and administrators • Other Activities: sports, social societies, professional societies, community service events RS&Associates, LP

Why Networking? • What % of jobs are not advertised? • 80% • 94% of successful job searches involve networking • 60% of networking contacts lead to more contacts • Excellent source of: • Building your confidence and interviewing skills • Job searches • Career development RS&Associates, LP

Networking Do’s • Prepare • Practice your value proposition (long and short versions) • Research on the people/companies you want to network with • Make an entrance • Be Confident • Smile and shake hands • Make eye contact • Get connected • Walk around – preferably by yourself • Ask questions • Be a good listener • Be enthusiastic • Be courteous and respectful of everyone • Remain poised • Follow up • Follow through on any to-do's • Say “thank you” WSJ CareerJournal.com “Seven Steps of Business Socializing”, Richarde Early RS&Associates, LP

Networking Don'ts • Use your cell phone (turn it off) • Hang around with your friends • Interrupt private conversations • Overstay your welcome • Look around while engaged in conversation • Make negative comments • Make jokes • Argue (make comments in a positive way) • Ramble • Appear timid • Get discouraged WSJ CareerJournal.com “Seven Steps of Business Socializing”, Richarde Early RS&Associates, LP

What Is Your Value Proposition? • Be ready to deliver it confidently • 30 seconds (short version) • 3 minutes (long version) • Be prepared to continue into an informational interview, if the opportunity is presented RS&Associates, LP

Key Areas To Ponder When Developing Your Value Proposition Your interests Your skills Your values Your motivations Your personal characteristics Your accomplishments RS&Associates, LP

Create An “Elevator Speech” • Opportunity to sellyourself • “Your” 30 second commercial • Name • Job interest • Skills • Qualifications for a particular job • Value proposition • Experience RS&Associates, LP

Elevator Speech Elements • Include traits that describe yourself • What job are you looking for? • What makes you the best candidate? • What do you bring to the table? • Describe your value add • What is different and unique about YOU? RS&Associates, LP

Your Elevator Speech Should Sound Natural • Write and rewrite your speech • Sharpen its focus • Eliminate unnecessary words and awkward constructions. • Practice your speech • Know your speech well enough to deliver it without sounding wooden • In the mirror • With your friends • Should not sound memorized • Easily tailored RS&Associates, LP

Sample Elevator Speech • Instead of this short statement: • “Hi, my name is Alice Roberts, I’ll graduate in 2010.” • Use solid descriptive words: • Hi my name is Alice Roberts. I am a senior studying petroleum engineering at CU. I have had two internships working with ABC company in the marketing department. I am responsible, focused, and highly dedicated. I have strong leadership experience. I was the president of the ASPE at CU and was instrumental in increasing membership and driving student participation. I am very interested in learning more about your organization and your marketing opportunities. RS&Associates, LP

Sample Elevator Speech • Instead of this short statement: • “Hi, my name is Mike Rowen; I am pursuing a Java certification and will graduate in 2010.” • Use solid descriptive words: • Hello, my name is Mike Rowen. I am a graduating senior with a strong interest and passion for computer science. I am pursuing a Java certification here at CU. I have interned with XYZ, a third party lcommunications equipment provider, located in Boulder. I’ve developed leadership and teamwork skills by leading the programming development committee of IEEE. I’d like to know about programming opportunities in your organization. RS&Associates, LP

Empower Yourself Through Your Choice Of Words • Use adjectives that can describe your skills and qualifications in relation to the job description • Examples: Resourceful, Motivated, Leader, Responsible, Patient, Reliable, Dependable, etc., • Use action verbs to describe your abilities, strengths, and achievements • Examples: Accomplished, Achieved, Completed, Composed, Conceptualized, Defined, etc., • Focus on turning an ordinary statement into a WOW statement RS&Associates, LP

Create and Practice Your Elevator Speech RS&Associates, LP

Dress For Success • First impressions do count! • Dark suit • Skirt length • Personal grooming and cleanliness • Impeccable • Don’t forget the shoes! • Excellent condition • No sandals or black tennisshoes • Be careful with perfume/cologne RS&Associates, LP

Keep A Positive Attitude – with Everyone • Be enthusiastic • Do not show lack of interest • If you get the impression the conversation is not going well, do not let your discouragement show • Remain : poised, upbeat and professional

Always Say “Thank You” • Express your gratitude for the opportunity to network – no matter how the conversation went • End the conversation with a firm handshake • Smile RS&Associates, LP

Summary For Successful Networking • Networking is critical to success • Be prepared • Know your value proposition and be ready to give a 30 second elevator speech about yourself • Take advantage of all networking opportunities • Be poised and courteous • Follow-up on all conversations • Keep in touch as appropriate RS&Associates, LP

Questions?

Networking/ Value Proposition