LinkedInâ€s Pulse

Find it under the “Interests” tab on your LinkedIn toolbar. You can choose to follow influencers, major media outlets and topical content areas. It’s extremely easy to share the content to LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter right from Pulse.

Alltop.com

This is an online, virtual “magazine rack” of blogs. Use the search bar to identify topics that interest you and follow the blogs that produce the content to interest your audience.

SmartBrief.com

Offering many free subscriptions to online newsletters, Smartbrief editors read and cultivates what is published about topics of interest and sends newsletters with links to articles and brief summaries. They have newsletters covering health care, marketing, education, business, finance and more.

These are just three places to find useful content to share. Feel free to post your favorites in the comments!

Get my free white paper: 5 Mistakes Preventing You From Landing a Job This Week 

Read the whole post on Vault.com.

Get my book: Vault Guide to Networking

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Instead of trying to win something from the people you meet, think about how you can be a “connector,” someone who makes a habit of introducing other people to each other.

Get my free white paper: 5 Mistakes Preventing You From Landing a Job This Week 

How can you become a connector?

• Think about other people first.
• Get out of your comfort zone. You can do this even if you are introverted or shy.
• Meet more people! You can’t introduce people if you don’t know anyone!
• Join organizations. Don’t join “in name only.” Get out and attend meetings.
• Be curious and ask questions.
• Improve your listening skills.
• Think ahead and be strategic with your networking.
• Be willing to reconnect with people you haven’t seen in a long time.
• Be a resource. How can you be helpful to the people you meet?
• Follow up, or you’ll miss a lot of opportunities.

Read all of the tips to help you network better on Vault.com.

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How to network better

However, one thing remains constant: the importance of networking. Referrals are a leading source of jobs, and the best way to ensure your résumé reaches a decision maker is to have an insider suggest you as a candidate. Even though networking is a time-honored, valuable professional skill, many people clumsily believe they are networking by approaching strangers with requests for help or by telling everyone they know that they are on the job market. Unfortunately, that is not really networking: it’s asking people for jobs. These are two distinct activities, and job seekers need to know the difference to tap into the market successfully.

Paulett Eberhart, CEO of CDI Corporation, an integrated engineering and technology services organization, suggests the following points to help precent graduates and new professionals make the crucial transition from using networks for personal reasons to tapping them for professional advancement:

1. Help others before you help yourself. Clearly identify how you can add value. “The employer is always looking for what new hires can bring to the table,” Eberhart says. “When you network, demonstrate how well you can benefit a team, client or company.”

2. Value face-to-face time. Social networking is a great way to expand your network and demonstrate your expertise. However, don’t get stuck online and forget about face-to-face contact. “It’s important to send out networking emails and build your LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook connections, but there’s inherent value in a firm handshake and the opportunity to put a face to a name at an in-person meeting,” Eberhart says.

3. Invest in relationships. It is easy to confuse a good contact with a good relationship. A contact is someone you meet and who may or may not recognize your name when you touch base in the future. Relationships require maintenance and upkeep. If you want successful relationships, Eberhart suggests you keep conversations going by touching base regularly. Email links to information or news you think your contacts would appreciate. Congratulate them on personal accomplishments or when their company attracts positive press. Meet for lunch or coffee and keep up with changes they’d need to make to be successful. If there’s a way you can help them, do it.

4. Tell people what you want. You need to know what you offer and what you need before anyone can help you. Be open and concise. Eberhart says: “Never be shy about approaching people for help.

5. Look beyond the obvious. Don’t overlook the opportunity to network in all different environments. Seek networking opportunities everywhere you go, whether it’s while you’re traveling, while running an errand or volunteering. People don’t need to be in your industry or line of work to be able to provide great resources for you.

6. Don’t take “no” for an answer. Timing is everything. “Don’t let a ‘no’discourage you, and certainly don’t dismiss it as a closed door,” Eberhart says. “It may be a ‘not now’ rather than a ‘no.’ Keep the lines of communication open and think strategically.

Read the rest at U.S News & World Report.

Photo by Nicola Corboy

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I’m going to join Charles Purdy and Heather Huhman on Thursday, September 13 at 6 pm ET for this monthâ€s #MWchat – Myths, Realities, and Benefits of Networking for Young People! Visit the Monster Facebook page at or follow @MonsterCareers and the #MWChat hashtag on Twitter.

Don’t miss it! Join us on Twitter:

#MWChat: Myths, Realities, and Benefits of Networking for Young People
Thursday, September 13, 2012 from 6-7pm EST

If you need help knowing what to say when you network, and think you can benefit from some actual scripts, samples and examples? Don’t miss the new book I co-authored with Laura Labovich: 100 Conversations for Career Success: Learn to Network, Cold Call and Tweet Your Way to Your Dream Job.

The post Need help learning how to network? appeared first on Keppie Careers.

1. Send a nice note. In the mail.

If you met someone at a party or gathering and you want to keep in touch, send a nice note. I like typed notes, some people prefer a hand-written message. Be sure to include enough information to help the person remember when and where you met and what you discussed.

2. Cover your social networking bases.

When you meet someone and you think there is a professional connection, ask if they are on LinkedIn and if it would be okay to connect. Then, be sure to follow up right away (after you get home – not from your iPhone!) with a request to connect. Again, even if it is shortly after the party, remind the contact where you met and what you discussed. Don’t assume he or she will remember everything you talked about!

Connecting on LinkedIn provides many advantages. Of course, growing your network is always important, but also remember that your new friends will now have a chance to see your updates (and you theirs). In general, keeping tabs on someone is easy on LinkedIn and a very low impact way to stay in touch.

Also be sure to ask if the person uses Twitter. I’m a big fan, and I hope more people will begin to use if for professional purposes. Do NOT ask to connect via Facebook unless you are invited after an incidental meeting. Typically, this is not considered proper etiquette.

3. Set a Google alert for the name of the person you met and/or the name of their company.

No, I am not suggesting that you stalk the new contact! However, if Google can help you easily find out news or information about someone with whom you are trying to build rapport, all the better! When you learn that XYZ company  has won an innovation award or that Julia Smith has been named a top ten PR rep, you will be able to be among the first to send a follow-up note. This helps keep you top of mind. It sets you apart from every other random contact, which is important in this competitive market.

4. Make a strong personal connection.

In the midst of your initial conversation, make a point to learn  something personal about your new contact. For example – he is a Bulls fanatic or she went to UGA. She’s a photography buff and loves to garden. He is a world traveler, but hasn’t made it to Asia. You get what I mean – make a point to learn something interesting about people you meet. This gives you several benefits:

• You will earn bonus points for being a good listener, for asking questions and for being attentive to your new friend’s interests. We all enjoy talking about ourselves. When you engage around a topic that tweaks someone’s passions, you are more likely to be remembered later.
• You now have a new “hook” to use for follow up! Assuming you keep your eyes on the newspapers and Internet, you are bound to come across a post or article of interest to your contact. Send it along via email with a personal note. Again – the point  here is to maintain a “top of mind” status. You sent an article on tips for travel in China from a recent news source and your friend will think about you in a day when you would not otherwise cross his mind.

You can do everything “right,” (know what you have to offer, have a great twitpitch, know where to look, have great materials…The list goes on and on. However, if you don’t follow up with your networking contacts, all of that work could easily go down the drain. Don’t let that happen to you!

photo by lanier6

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It’s not so easy to master the art of juggling a plate and drink in one hand while gracefully delivering an on-target elevator pitch.

For introverted job-seekers who prefer one-on-one meetings or small group interactions, the idea of needing to “work a room” to meet an influential new contact may seem overwhelming.

But succeeding at in-person networking is not out of reach. Follow these 10 steps to ease awkwardness and emerge with terrific contacts:

1. Become a sleuth. Before attending in-person events, find out who else plans to attend.

2. Research several targets. It’s not stalking; many make a habit of Googling people they expect to meet before an in-person encounter.

3. Search for recent press. Have their organizations been in the news? What about the contacts themselves?

4. Make a list of several conversation starters. If it’s uncomfortable meeting new people, advance research and planning will come in very handy at the moment a great contact extends a handshake.

5. Practice. There’s a reason “practice makes perfect.” If conversing with strangers is uncomfortable, spend some time role-playing with friends, a pet, or in front of a mirror.

6. Don’t ask for help. It may seem counter-intuitive, but you should avoid asking for help when meeting people for the first time.

7. Be a good listener. Ask plenty of questions. Most enjoy talking about themselves.

8. Request a meeting. It’s so much easier to have a professional conversation in a quiet, one-on-one setting where people are not hovering around, waiting to talk to your contact.

9. Seek the best ways to reconnect. Ask about the best time to reach your new friends and contacts. Avoid frustration: Use the preferred methods, even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone.

10. Follow up. It’s a shame to research and plan to meet new people, have engaging conversations, and leave without contact information and plans to get in touch.

Read all of the details and advice in my U.S. News & World Report post.

photo by dcJohn

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Today, I am delighted to share a guest post by Alexandra Levit, courtesy of JobSTART101.org.

JobSTART101 is a first-of-its-kind course that’s free and available to college students and recent graduates nationwide. Alexandra, whose blog is Water Cooler Wisdom, is an author and speaker on business and workplace issues. She is also host of JobSTART101.

The purpose of professional networking is to gain information, increase your visibility in your field, and establish personal connections that will help you advance in your career. No matter how much you love your job, you should always be looking for ways to expand your networks because, ideally, your contacts will follow you from position to position. A strong network allows you to get advice from trusted sources, to keep your professional knowledge current, to find career opportunities, and to support the careers of others. Young professionals who are willing to ask for help will find it easier to navigate within their organization and perform their job duties. Your network can be an excellent source of information when you have a question that you do not want to ask your co-workers or supervisor.

Your network should have lots of variety; individuals from different companies, career levels, and professions can add a range of perspectives. Keeping in touch with your college friends who might be in different companies and industries is a great way to populate your network. Joining a professional association in your field and regularly attending its events is also a smart idea. Finally, investigate your company’s sponsored programs; many organizations provide opportunities for individuals to network within the company. Training events, visits from management, guest speakers, or various types of interest-based events can yield the same type of contacts as an external event.

Know that it takes time to authentically populate your network. But also know that each new contact is a step in the right direction. When I first got into educating people on twenty-something workplace issues, it was startling how helpful I found just one meeting of the Chicago chapter of the American Society for Training and Development. I walked out of the event with business cards for several potential clients and mentors. My network increased after only one event.

Before going to such an event, think about what you hope to get out of attending. Is it general knowledge? Is it a new contact in your field? Or perhaps you are looking for someone to provide input on one of your projects? Understand who the speakers will be at the event and how you might contact them or access their materials in advance of or after the event. Also, learn what other companies and individuals might be at the event. Prepare a few questions that you want to explore, and set a goal to answer them at the event. For example, if you want to do an informational interview—a thirty-minute conversation with an expert on a new development in your field—your goal may be to find someone at the event with that type of expertise. Think about how you would propose a call with that individual, or if this person is local, perhaps a face-to-face meeting might make more sense.

Many experts are willing to speak and share their knowledge, but some may not be as willing. Don’t become discouraged. It may take a few attempts at building your network to make a personal connection. Once you have received an initial response and are moving forward with an interaction—whether it’s in person or via e-mail or phone—be friendly, respectful, and conscious of the contact’s time constraints. Confirm your contact’s available time and the topic you want to cover. If you have the opportunity to sit down with a contact in person, remember to make eye contact, smile, shake hands firmly, and exchange business cards. Ask thoughtful questions and listen carefully to the answers.

If you are meeting over coffee or a meal, when the check comes, simply say to your contact, “I invited you here today, so this is my treat.” This, combined with a handwritten thank-you note, will make the best possible impression and leave the door open for future follow-up—which you should do, of course! If your contact gave you any advice or suggested a course of action, touch base every few months with an update on your progress. And since effective networking always involves give and take, think about ways you can help your contact in return.

JobSTART 101 is a free, online 90 minute course dedicated to helping college students and recent grads master skills critical to workplace success. Check it out at www.jobstart101.org.

photo by Nimages DR

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I write a lot about using social media and other “non-traditional” approaches to job search. I believe in social networking tools, and know that entrepreneurs can win business using them and job seekers can land opportunities. I particularly love Twitter, and have often waxed poetic about how useful it is for job seekers. (See this post for links to my thoughts about using Twitter for job hunting.)

Attending several conferences recently (Career Directors International, a career coaches’ and resume writers’ convention and Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), Atlanta, an organization dedicated to recruiting and HR issues) inspired me to go a little retro for this post.  I’d suggest that to create opportunity, you need to think about being a connector (someone who enjoys introducing people, for personal or professional benefit).

Wikipedia defines “connector,” a term Malcolm Gladwell popularized in his 2000 book The Tipping Point:

Connectors are said…to be people in a community who know large numbers of people and who are in the habit of making introductions. A connector is essentially the social equivalent of a computer network hub. Connectors usually know people across an array of social, cultural, professional, and economic circles, and make a habit of introducing people who work or live in different circles.

Although connectors are rare — only one in several thousand people might be thought of as a true connector — they are…very important in the healthy function of civil society and business. Connectors are also important in trendsetting.

My friend, Jenny DeVaughn, is the best example of being a connector that I know. Jenny is the Director, Social Strategy at Bernard Hodes Group, where she is “responsible for developing and overseeing the implementation of social media strategies for clients, including ongoing training.” She is an expert regarding recruiting for today and develops and implements social media recruitment strategies for clients, including Fortune 500 organizations. She also has her own blog, Social Precision, where she shares tips and up-to-date ideas relevant to both the hiring side and job seekers.

I had a chance to see Jenny speak to a packed room at SHRM-Atlanta. (Read some of her advice  HERE.) She’s clearly way ahead of the curve when it comes to technology and connecting online. She shared that she is one of the top three most connected women on LinkedIn! You may assume someone so focused on online connecting might not be a skilled in-person networker, but the opposite is true when it comes to Jenny.

Jenny creates opportunity wherever she is. I have never stood next to her without watching Jenny introduce someone to another person, suggest some potential business or personal commonalities, make a connection or offer an idea. It amazes me how focused she is on helping other people succeed and what an awesome link she provides by letting each person know how the other person might relate to what he or she is doing.

Creating opportunity is an important and relevant topic, and one that job seekers need to think about in an environment when jobs are few and far between. Take a lesson from a connector — Jenny sees opportunity just by looking around and by thinking ahead. She obviously makes it a point to know what people do, what skills they have and makes the most of this information by sharing it and introducing people.

Think about it — how can you make opportunity by looking around? Who might you be able to introduce to someone else for a potential opportunity? How can you help those around you? When you are in that mindset of being a connector and serving as a hub of information and resources, it will also help you identify opportunities that may be available to you.

Stay tuned for a post about my friend Laura Labovich’s tips for how to introduce yourself effectively and for impact when meeting in person!

Please check out these blog posts that are joining mine in supporting Job Action Day 2010:

• Quintessential Careers Blog, Third annual Job Action Day arrives with job-seekers struggling with a new and more challenging future of work, future of job-hunting.
• Career Doctor Blog
• Quintessential Resume and Cover Letter Tips Blog, Career Experts Offer Tips for New Job-Search Realities: Job Action Day 2010.
• A Storied Career, Job Action Day 2010: Stories of Creating Opportunity Through LinkedIn.
• Susan Guarneri, New World of Work: Job Action Day 2010 Career Assessment Goddess.
• Wendy Terwelp, Job Action Day: Create Your Own Opportunity, Rock Your Career.
• Laura Labovich, Give-to-Get in the Protean Workplace!, Aspire! Empower!
• David Couper, Job Action: what can you do to help, David Couper Blog.
• Barbara Safani, Job Action Day-Opportunities Knock Harder When You Use Social Media, Career Solvers Blog.
• Maggie Mistal, Job Action Day: Soul Search, Research & Job Search To Create Real Opportunity, Career Advice Blog.
• Steven Rothberg, On Job Action Day 2010, Focus on Your Competencies, Interests, and values, CollegeRecruiter.com Blog
• Miriam Salpeter, Job Action Day — how to create job opportunities by being a connector, Keppie Careers.
• The Career Management Alliance Blog [multiple posts].
• Stephen Hinton, Focus On Certifications: How Can a Certification Help My Green Job Search?, Hinton Human Capital Blog.

You can also find Job Action Day 2010 posts on these blogs:

• Heather Krasna, Heather Krasna’s Public Service Career Blog.
• Meg Guiseppi, Executive Career Branding.
• Willy Franzen, One Day One Job.
• Deborah Shane, Deborah Shane Toolbox,
• Debra Wheatman, Careers Done Write Blog.
• Darrell Gurney, Career Guy Blog.
• Jason Alba, JibberJobber Blog.
• Rich Milgram, EmploymentMetrix Blog.
• Hannah Morgan, Career Sherpa.

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Many new job seekers or people who haven’t looked for a job in a long time may not know about the “hidden job market.”  Sounds sinister, but all it really means is that most (70 – 80% or more!) of jobs aren’t actually filled with people applying to a job posting or announcement; they are filled via personal connections.

You can see why it’s a good idea to get on this networking bandwagon!  Networking is a huge topic, and I have tons to say on the subject, but since we are in the midst of another holiday, let’s leave it at this:

If you’re going to a picnic or party, you will probably have an opportunity to meet some new people.

How can you introduce yourself with an eye toward seeing if there is a potential career link with your new acquaintance?  Ask someone if they did anything fun over the summer…Strike up some conversations that have NOTHING to do with your job search.

You never know where you’ll meet the professional connection that will link you to a new opportunity.

If you’d like a copy of my ebook about how to optimize your networking for holidays (or anytime, really), subscribe to receive my blog via email. (You must subscribe via the email link to get the eBook, although RSS is an option as well.)

It’s free! Click here to subscribe and receive a free ebook.

Learn how I can help you navigate your job hunt.

photo by avixyz

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Body language may be more important than you think in a job hunt.

Kate Lorenz wrote about the topic for CareerBuilder.com. She said:

Research has shown that the first impression you make on an interviewer really sticks. In one study, untrained subjects were shown 20- to 32-second videotaped segments of job applicants greeting their interviewers. When the subjects rated the applicants on attributes like self-assurance and likeability, their assessments were very similar to the interviewers’ — who had spent more than 20 minutes with each applicant.

Seems like focusing on your body language – and first impressions – matters – a lot!

I once wrote a term paper about the importance of body language. The quote I remember from it,

“Don’t underestimate the power of body language,”

from The Little Mermaid, is no less true today!

(Yes, I really quoted a Disney movie in my paper. It worked.)

Did you know that people who are positive and confident outperform their peers in their job searches? Research shows that persistence and a postive attitude pay off in the job hunt. You can always pick out a pessimist by his or her body language – slumped shoulders, eyes down, expressionless (or frowning). No one wants to hire someone who seems sad or pessimistic. Straighten up, smile and make eye contact. Your body language speaks louder than your words.

In fact, research also shows that body language makes up more than half of how our communication is perceived. That means that you may be describing your greatest business accomplishment, but if your posture isn’t good and you don’t make effective eye contact, you might as well tell the interviewer about the time you lost your portfolio on the way to a presentation.

Another telling body language tool is the handshake.

How many times do we have to tell you – strong and firm gets the job done! BusinessWeek wrote about several different types of handshakes to use and some to avoid. Eye contact along with a firm handshake can make a world of difference to how you are being perceived.

Remember – the little things matter.

In fact, the “little things” may actually be the BIG things! Focus on every aspect of your presentation to ensure that you put your best foot forward with your job search.

photo by Gerwin Filius

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