Networking & Career Development

1. Networking & Career Development Lisa Ryan Vice President Talent Management

2. Agenda

3. What is networking?

4. Networking is: • Sharing and cross-collaboration: • Networking is about building relationships to share and gather resources and information. • When you are networking effectively, both you AND your contacts are benefiting. • You are building a personal and professional network for future endeavours.

5. Effective Networking • Positive • What’s in it for them – WIIFT • Pay it forward – what can you do for them? • Giving back – good karma • Send information, articles, make introductions Negative • What’s in it for me – WIIFM • User • Only when you “want” something

6. Why network?

7. The Value of Networking • Provides you with information to help your career development • Enhances your knowledge and credibility • Uncovers opportunities and information difficult to discover in other ways • Helps get you noticed for positions you have identified • Puts you in less competitive circumstances

8. A new definition of networking • Myth • It’s who you know, not what you know. • Reality • It’s who you know. (Contacts) • It’s who knows what you need to know. (Strategic Contacts) • It’s what you know. (Information) • It’s who knows you. (Visibility)

9. Who should I network with?

10. Networking Process • The more people you connect with the more you inadvertently are connected to others

11. How do I start Networking? • Start by listing all your contacts • Review your research questions • Set your agenda for Informational Meeting • Write your script for the call to set meeting • Meet with your immediate contacts for Informational Meetings 11

12. Networking Process C B B C B B B I know someone who does xxx. I’ll introduce you. B B C C B B B I’d be happy to give you the benefit of my experience. B B B C C C C We are looking for someone like you to take on this special project. C B C C C C A A A A

13. Selecting a mentor • Be clear on your objective • Choose someone with a similar career path • Make sure your mentor has enough time • Create mutually beneficial goals • Take ownership of the relationship • Make sure your mentor feels heard and appreciated

14. I am looking to expand my knowledge of xxx and thought you would be a great place to start. Could I have 15-20 minutes of your time to share my strategy and hear your thoughts and ideas? Sure, I’ll be happy to help. Networking approach A During the meeting, ask for information and referrals…

15. Informational Meeting Pointers • Verbally review your next steps at the end of the meeting • Ask if you can touch base with them periodically to ask any further questions that come to mind • Think of what you can offer your contact in return for their assistance—examples might be information, articles, vendor names, resources • Don’t remind your contact of any difficulties you have had reaching them • Develop a tracking system and record information from each meeting

16. Warm-up conversation Emphasize connection with referral Objective Options you’re currently exploring Informational Meeting Agenda Build Rapport Build Rapport Self- Presentation Industry/Sector Common Business Issues? Challenges? Solutions Tried? Needs Focusing-In Technique (F.I.T.) Who Else? (Referrals) Referrals • Gather additional information • Summarize • Show appreciation • Agree on follow-up actions Thank you Next Steps 16

17. Building Networking Momentum • Prioritize contacts, continue to reach out to build a strong pipeline of activity • Email or phone contacts (develop script/talking points) • Be sure to follow-up (get organized!) • Set daily and weekly goals for number of face to face informational meetings and number of referrals obtained • Attend group networking events to grow contacts: • ( e.g. professional association meetings, community volunteering) • Use social networking tools

18. When should I network?

19. Where should I network?

20. Where will you meet like-minded people? • Industry associations • Sub-groups • Round tables • Committees • Social Networking • Twitter, Linked-In, Facebook • Mentor & mentee programs • Blogs • Activities • Yoga, golf groups, clubs • Volunteer Be Curious!!

21. Networking Tips For Reaching People You Don’t Know • Use Your Existing Network’s Network • Attend Market Connection meetings • Practice with trusted advisor • Call professional organization members • Use social networking sites • Attend networking events • Research industries, markets, and companies

22. Online Networking • What is it? • Individuals connecting through electronic means • Communicating personal brand 24/7 • Services—Plaxo, LinkedIn®, Facebook and others—help users grow and manage personal and business networks online • Access to people in more locations, industries, professions • Who is doing it? • Jobseekers, business owners, recruiters, active networkers • All Fortune 500 companies represented on LinkedIn, director level and above • More than 145,000 CEOs on LinkedIn • Experienced professionals globally, representing 170 industries • Your LinkedIn profile will appear in Google and Yahoo Search

23. Using LinkedIn.com • Set up a Profile to promote your expertise • Work experience • Recommendations (work colleagues, customers, classmates etc.) • Invite people you know to join your network • customize your invitations to link • Build your network slowly based on quality vs. quantity • Research people you are scheduled to meet • Offer advice and feedback to provide value • Groups • Questions & answers • Join groups on LinkedIn • Use the Status Update field to share what you are working on • Keep your profile updated and continue to manage your network

24. Manpower Study Employer attitudes to social media in the workplace • Survey 34,000 employers in 35 countries • Fostering collaboration & communication 11% • Recruiting new talent 8% • Assessing candidates before hiring 7% • Continuing professional development of employees 7% • Improving employee engagement 5% • Staying in touch with former employees 4%

25. To sum it all up...

26. Networking Best Practices • Be organized • Create contact tracking system • Prioritize your contacts • Create research questions to ask • Develop a script before you pick up the phone—prepare for each possible obstacle! • Develop an agenda for Informational Meetings • Be prepared to talk about your background and future interests • Help others—don’t just ask for help • Be natural and genuine in your approach • say thank you and mean it • Follow through on next steps and commitments

27. Networking Reminders • Consider your approach for each situation • Be prepared to ask questions • Don’t put pressure on anyone • Be clear on value proposition • Always offer assistance • Ask about next steps and other referrals • Remember people want to help • Stay connected – make networking a way of life

28. Questions?