Show of virtual hands…how many of you love to network? You can’t wait to wake up early to meet that referral to talk about their company and get advice, just hoping there will be an opportunity to interject your quest for a new job. Or maybe you’re all excited to put on that suit that’s been gathering dust mites and head out to an evening with sweaty-palmed job seekers to commiserate about your job search.
Yeah, I know. It stinks. I pretty much dread having to meet new people. It stresses me out and certainly puts me in a ‘dis-comfort zone.’
But you have to get out there. Job search is all about marketing, self-promotion, awareness, and sales. For many reading this, these are not skills you like or enjoy. One of the reasons I think job seekers have such a difficult time being job seekers is because they don’t realize what it takes. Yep, I wrote your job description- one that lists skills and responsibilities of a job seeker.
My Summary Sunday is a collection of posts (written by others) that I’ve enjoyed and shared during the past week. This week, they revolve around NETWORKING!
Networking Tip 1: Start With A List Of Targets
How can you network if you don’t have a list of prospects? Where do you want to work? This is a simple lead generation process. Your purpose in networking is to gather information and build awareness of your talents. So naturally, it starts by developing a list of companies you would like to work for. Nope, these companies do not need to have current openings posted. But they must have a need, or have on staff, people who do what you do.
How about some of these 25 companies ranked highly for their culture and values for according to reviews on Glassdoor. (Proud to see Wegman’s on this list! It’s based here in Rochester!)
Networking Tip 2: Refine Your Pitch
Yes, you are going to be asked the question “What do you do?” and you must have a short, interesting answer. That’s why I liked and shared this article from Simply Hired. I think it does a good job in defining what goes into your answer to this question. And it includes an example. This is the type of pitch I recommend using in a networking situation! Short and snappy! Oh, yes, memorable too! The Elevator Pitch: When to Use It and Why on Simply Hired by Susan Martindill
The Elevator Pitch: When to Use it and Why
Networking Tip 3: Know the Process
Yes, there is a method to this madness called networking. In case you aren’t familiar with the steps, or need a gentle reminder, this next post is for you. The Job Seeker’s 7-Step Guide to Networking on Social-Hire by John L. Nicodemus (@CallTheMan)
The Job Seeker’s 7-Step Guide to Networking
Hannah Morgan speaks and writes about job search and career strategies. She founded CareerSherpa.net to educate professionals on how to maneuver through today’s job search process. Hannah was nominated as a LinkedIn Top Voice in Job Search and Careers and is a regular contributor to US News & World Report. She has been quoted by media outlets, including Forbes, USA Today, Money Magazine, Huffington Post, as well as many other publications. She is also author of The Infographic Resume and co-author of Social Networking for Business Success.