Comments on: Cracking the networking CODE by Dean Lindsay

By: Tim Krupa

Tim Krupa — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 17:36:03 +0000

Overcoming shyness has always been my barrier to networking. It is very difficult for me to “work a room.” I look for opportunities to meet one on one, perhaps over coffee. I have learned that networking is about focusing on the needs of others. After introductory comments, I seek to engage others in a conversation about themselves. As I learn, I seek opportunities to help them. If I have made a “friend” during the conversation, I will even come right out and ask if there is any way I might help them.

By: Cindy Petersiel

Cindy Petersiel — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:44:26 +0000

I know that I could do more face-to-face networking. Who couldn't benefit from additional business contacts? So many of us are uncomfortable with the thought of networking - the more information we can get our hands on, the better. It's hard to find that balance between talking too much about ourselves and completely focusing on the other person. But when you find the sweet spot, you're golden and a valuable connection has been made. Great review and summary of the book, Miriam! Cindy Petersiel Design Your Success Coaching Cindy Petersiel’s last blog post..Procrastination: Taming the Project Beast

By: Laura Navarro

Laura Navarro — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:05:48 +0000

I still shy away from networking at the thought of small talk and keeping a conversation going. I struggle with the balance between talking about me enough to sell myself, but not going away feeling all we did was talk about me - so I tend to spend most of the time asking about the other person and then going away wondering if they learned anything about me. The concept of informational meetings is a new one, but I like the idea of bringing good questions so they at least learn that I was prepared and had some idea of what to ask. Laura Navarro’s last blog post..Weekly status for 4-10

By: Chris Johnson

Chris Johnson — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:29:45 +0000

Networking in todays market can be a challenge in the metro Detroit area with so many people out of work it is tough to find people who are still working to network into an organization. On the line of getting out and about to have face to face networking opportunities I was lucky to find out through my wife about a company that was possibly in need of a program manager. So I drove over to the company and was going to drop off my resume to HR and the General Manager took the time to meet with me and talk. He stated that they don’t have a position right now as their business is still down, but it always feels better to have the face to face contact at least. I plan on keeping in touch with him in the hopes that something will happen later at least.

By: Ilene Brill

Ilene Brill — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 21:19:18 +0000

This comment is to enter the contest for Dean Lindsay’s book.

As an HR professional in transition,I joined Dallas HR for networking opportunities. I attended a lunch and learn of the benefits emphasis group. I was then invited to join their yahoo group, which I did. The chair sent out someone’s resume to the group the following week. I then asked him to send out mine, which he did. I week later, one of the members, a recruiter from Ericsson called me about an upcoming position. We chatted about my qualification and she passed on my resume to the hiring manager for the position and I scored a phone interview with her recently. While I don’t know if I will get the job, the networking definitely got me the inside track to get my resume seen by the right person and put at the head of the stack.

Ilene Brill

By: Sally Gross

Sally Gross — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 14:07:37 +0000

Sounds like a great book to help develop networking skills. I often get stuck, ok paralyzed, by the thought of what do I have to offer someone. Maybe I’m making it to complicated?

By: Miriam Salpeter

Miriam Salpeter — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 01:03:26 +0000

@ David and Jim – I think the book could absolutely give you some ideas to up your networking efforts. As for your network members being sub-par…It seems that a job seeker who finds his or her network not useful would need to ramp up networking efforts to include people who could share useful information. Thanks for the comments!

By: Jim

Jim — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 17:40:08 +0000

Agree with David’s comment, with a twist: Agree this is a could be a good resource for those in need of better networking, if they accept that they need better networking skills.

I’ll accept that I could improve my networking ability. Perhaps I could improve my tactics through use of strategies identified in the book.

By: David Gonzales

David Gonzales — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 15:45:23 +0000

This looks like a great resource for people who are out of touch with the concept of networking. A simple method to help job seekers put their best foot forward. Now my question is…

What happens when your network members are sub-par?