Keppie Careers

Social media speaker, social media consultant, job search coach

Networking Strategies – What is an Informational Interview?

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If you haven’t read my previous posts about Networking, click on NETWORKING in the Categories section to your right! 

One of the best networking strategies is to conduct many informational interviews. 

What is an informational interview?
This is just is a fancy way of saying a meeting with someone who may be able to share insights or information with you that could help in your job search.

  • You seek out the contact and issue an invitation to meet.
  • You conduct the interview.  You ask the questions to help you learn about your potential career or organization.
  • You decide what you need to know and tap the hidden job market.
  • You draw conclusions.
  • This is NOT a job interview. 

Why do informational interviews?
Informational interviews are the best ways for you to learn about an organization and/or gain insight and expertise from a professional whose opinion you value.  Other benefits include:

  • Everyone you meet becomes a  member of your network.
  • Your job prospects multiply exponentially!
  • You may discover jobs that are not publicly advertised.
  • If you endear yourself to someone, they are likely to think of you if a job becomes available.  People like to help others, especially if they had a good connection.  The more strong connections you make, the more friends you have in your field.

Stay tuned for more about informational interviews!

www.keppiecareers.com
We advise, encourage, enlighten!

Soft Skills for Your Job Search

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What are “Soft” Skills?

“Soft” skills, otherwise known as emotional intelligence, may make a difference between an employee who can do the job and one who does it well. Soft skills include: leadership, written and verbal communication, problem solving, motivation, interpersonal skills and creativity. Soft skills are transferable to any position; they do not rely on technical abilities. They are not skills typically taught in classrooms. (Although some business school programs are incorporating training in emotional intelligence to give their students a competitive edge.)

Take a look at this soft skills (emotional IQ) test that you can take on line to get a sense of how your skills rate.

Some recruiters believe that soft skills make the difference between the candidate who is hired and the second choice applicant. Employers today seek flexibility, teamwork and integrity. They realize that someone who communicates well and has a strong work ethic makes a good employee. As a result, incorporating these skills on your resume may make the difference between getting an interview and getting passed over.

The key is to incorporate soft skills with specifics that SHOW your abilities. For example:

Before:
Excellent oral and written communication skills.

After:
Wrote and presented successful training sessions to 200 telephone operators, resulting in measurable gains in company’s ordering efficiency.

The first bullet begs the question: Prove it! The “after” bullet leaves no room for doubt: This applicant can communicate verbally (in front of a group) and in writing.

Selected Soft Skills List

approachable
business acumen
charisma
communication
composure
conflict management
creativity
crisis management
critical thinking
decision making
dedication
empathy
energetic
ethical
flexibility
hard working
honesty
humor
ideas
initiative
inspire others
instincts
integrity
interpersonal skills
leadership
listening
management
morale building
motivational
multicultural sensitivity
multi-task
organizational
passionate
personality
planning
poise
problem solving
professional
public speaking
reasoning
research
respect for others
self confident
self-motivated
sensitivity
supervisory
take constructive criticism
team building
team leadership
team player
time management
verbal
visionary
work well under pressure
writing

Networking "HOWs" – Virtual Networking

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If you haven’t read my previous blogs about networking, look at the “Categories” section to your right and click on “Networking.”

Practical Tips to Help Optimize Your Online Network 

The possibilities to connect are endless:  Blogs, networking sites such as linkedin.com and large and small social networks provide opportunities to “meet” professionals from every industry.  How should you take advantage of the possibilities?

Blogs
Identify the key bloggers in your industry.  Who has their finger on the pulse of your working world?  Read their blogs and, whenever possible, make intelligent comments and suggestions.  Simply agreeing or saying “nice post” doesn’t count!  Take some time to try to add to the conversation.  When you become a regular contributor, you will begin to form a community of people who recognize you and value your opinions.

Consider authoring your own blog!  The Wall Street Journal article, How Blogs are Changing the Recruiting Landscape, reports that one recruitment manager spends one to two hours a week searching blogs for potential hires.  In three years, blogs helped him fill 125 corporate jobs. Only take this on if you are willing to work at putting together something professional.  If your blog is sloppily done, it could hurt you.  Blogging about your industry can be a great way to gain a positive reputation.

Organize a Social Network 
If you have the time, consider organizing a social networking site online.  It could be an offshoot of another site or in response to your in-person networking.  If you see a need or a niche, taking the time and effort to fill it may get you noticed!

Linkedin
This site is a goldmine of information, networking resources and potential job opportunities.

Industry Specific Groups
Consider joining several industry specific networking groups.   This association  directory can help get you thinking about organizations in your arena.

Etiquette 
As you join social networks, chat rooms and groups, be sure to observe (lurk) before you chime in with your 2 cents worth.  You will come across more professionally if you understand the etiquette of a site before you inject your opinions.

Don’t forget that networking isn’t only about what you can get from others.  What goes around comes around – be sure that you make the effort to extend yourself in your networks.  Help someone else!  Provide a suggestion, a resource or an answer to a question.  If nothing else, it is good karma! 

Your Reputation
As you put your name out there, be sure to keep track of how you are being indexed in search engines.  Google your name.  If anything negative comes up,  Lindsey Pollak’s  blog suggests checking out  reputationdefender.com.  This company promises to get rid of unflattering online content.  Since many employers are supplementing reference checks with online searches, this may be a valuable tool. 

Another great idea from Lindsey’s blog is to sign up for Google Alerts on your name. Google will e-mail you every time you are  indexed, and you can keep track of your virtual reputation.

Consider the following tips that apply both to on- and off-line networking: 

  • Don’t wait until you are looking for a job to begin networking.
  • All leads are worth pursuing.
  • Set networking goals.  Prioritize and focus. 
  • Stay organized. Keep track of contacts, what you have learned and who referred you where.  (This can be especially important in the online world, where networks will intertwine.) 
  • Research and be prepared.
  • Always send a thank you note to everyone who helps you.  Cyberspace contacts appreciate knowing they had a positive impact, even if their comments or suggestions were not targeted to you.  If someone’s blog or suggestion helps you, let them know!
  • Write professionally.  Spell check and use proper grammar.
  • Be genuine, enthusiastic and confident in all networking communications.
  • Keep adding to your contact list and continue networking, even when you have a job.

Stay tuned for how to optimize your in-person career networking! 

keppiecareers.com…We advise, encourage, enlighten!

Networking: Obstacles and Shy Networkers

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If you missed the post Networking: Who, What, When, Where and Why?, you may want to read it first!  In summary, networking is your best tool to find a job and to find information that you’ll need to land a job.  Even if you realize that networking is important, it can still be intimidating…

Obstacles to Networking 

I don’t like to ask for help…

Many ask me, “Isn’t this about “using” people?”
Networking is not about using people; it’s about plugging into the job market.  When you network, you are looking for information and advice from those who know it best. Most people can and will provide helpful answers to your questions and guidance, and are only too glad to do so if asked the right way.

I’m just not an outgoing person…
That’s okay! You don’t have to change your personality type to be successful at networking. The goal is to project a confident, articulate and professional demeanor. If you prepare yourself to be confident about your goals and skills, you should be able to better project confidence and professionalism in your own way.

Some Suggestions:
Role play – Practice “working a room” and chit-chatting
Prepare things to talk about in advance in social situations
Have a list of questions or topics to discuss
RESEARCH – What you need to know and who knows it?

What’s the worst thing that can happen?
Maybe you’ll encounter someone who won’t want to help you. That’s okay.  Ideally, you’ll ask them if they can suggest someone else who may be able to answer some questions for you.  Most of the time, you will at least be able to get a referral from someone who isn’t interested in helping! Don’t let fear or shyness get in the way of your job search.

Shy or Introverted Networkers
There are some terrific points for shy or introverted networkers on Lindsey Pollak’s blog.  Lindsey is the author of Getting from College to Career.  Her ideas apply to all potential networkers.  The advice (above) about networking encourages shy people to act outgoing.  Lindsey’s article, Why Shy People Make Great Networkers reminds these networkers of their great innate traits.

In summary, shy and introverted people ask for personal referrals, tend to be polite, are good listeners, bring a friend to networking events and leverage their on-line contacts – all great indicators of a successful networker! (Thanks, Lindsey for those timely points!)

Cultural Factors
In the U.S, contacting people you may not know for information is acceptable and expected. However, in other cultures, even the most polite networking may be considered rude and disrespectful. If your cultural assumptions prohibit networking, and you are looking for a job in the U.S., you may want to work with a trusted friend or adviser to strategize about how you can take advantage of networking. For those networking with people of various cultures, remember how cultural differences influence communication.

Stay tuned for specific, practical networking strategies in the next installment in the Networking series.

More on Networking: Who, What, When, Where and Why!

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Finding a job may seem overwhelming.

You need to:

  • Know what you want to do. 
  • Create a great resume that shows how you can do it. 
  • Find opportunities that may not be advertised.
  • Generate opportunities for yourself that may not exist otherwise!

That is where networking comes in.  Networking recognizes that relationships are the crux of the job search.  Employers prefer to hire people whom they like, or people their friends or colleagues admire.   Job searchers need to put themselves in the position of being that person!

Don’t forget – approximately 80% of jobs are NOT filled through job postings.  They are filled via networking.  Google it.  Convinced?
 
How do you get started?

First of all, please start networking before you are looking for a job!  Don’t wait another minute!

Many think of networking as something that happens on-line.  I’ve been amazed at the connections available on LinkedIn, and other social networking sites like facebook or myspace, used correctly, may open doors.  Take advantage of all of your virtual resources.  Keep in mind that networking happens in person, too!  Don’t forget:

  • Relatives
  • Friends (especially those in the workplace)
  • Friends of friends
  • Professors and Deans
  • Former employers and co-workers
  • Neighbors and acquaintances
  • Alumni (of undergraduate and graduate schools)

 Where/When should I network?

  • Professional associations/conferences
  • Work events and meetings, social and professional
  • Classes
  • Alumni events
  • Social events
  • Community events
  • Elevators — collect business cards
  • Airplanes
  • Anywhere, all of the time!

Stay tuned for Networking:  Obstacles and Shy Networkers and Networking Strategies.

 keppiecareers.com…We advise, encourage, enlighten!