How to choose a networking group

May 4, 2011May 4, 2011Wendy Terwelp 3 Comments

You’ve been to so many networking groups, clubs, socials, business after 5’s, breakfast meetings, etc. it’s overwhelming. Plus, you now have so many business cards you can wallpaper your bathroom. Sound familiar?

Here are some tips to help you pick the right group for you – and dump the groups that are no longer a right fit.

First, ask yourself some tough questions:

1. Who needs to know about you to help you reach your goals?

2. Does this (name them) networking group serve your target audience?

3. Does this group have members who ARE your audience – people who know or serve your industry or company targets?

4. How much time does active membership in each group take?

5. How often do they meet?

6. How big is your personal commitment?

Know that if a group is not working for you, it’s OK to cancel your membership. However, it’s NOT OK to break ties with those people in the group you enjoy most.

Next, pick three!

If you’re just starting out or trying to whittle down your obligations, pick at least three types of groups.

Peer Group: For brainstorming, education, and commiserating. Nobody gets you and your situation like your peers.

Prospects: A group that is your ideal target market or who knows or works with your ideal target market.

Professional business group: Hiring decision-makers often Google your name before meeting with you. Membership in a professional organization can boost your online presence.

After choosing your three groups…

You’ll need to know when a group’s a great fit for your career – and when it’s not. With some groups, you’ll know after the first meeting it’s not a food fit; others take time to gel. For example, if you’re active in the group and meeting the right people, it may be a good fit. The goal is not to collect business cards. The goal is to build relationships that grow with you, your career, and your business. It comes down to this:

If you’re not building relationships in the group, and you’re just going for the food, it’s not a good fit.

Want more networking tips? Read Rock Your Network ®.

Got ideas? Share how you decide if a group’s a right fit for you.

Image created by SnapHappy Creative LLC.

Personal Branding: Myth, Madness, What?

January 4, 2011January 27, 2011Wendy Terwelp Leave a comment

Recently, a member of one of my LinkedIn groups asked, “I hear the term branding a lot, but rarely if ever see examples of it! Is it merely a catch phrase, or it is a real, effective strategy?”

Let’s bottom line it, shall we?

I was a recruiter prior to becoming a career coach. And I have a solid network of recruiters and employers across the country. Here’s the common thread, candidates who fit the culture of the company stick. Those who don’t, don’t. Recruiters to this day still tell me if a candiate doesn’t make the cut, 90% of the time, it’s because they were not a “right fit.”

Here are some real examples of personal branding from a few of my clients:

1. One of my clients, a sales representative, was known as “The Cold Call King.” He provided me with documentation of the same. We used it in his cover letter AND provided backup in terms of results (i.e. why he was deemed “The Cold Call King” by his company president).

2. Another client, a PR pro, was dubbed a “PR Martyr” by her coworkers. Yes, we used it, and again provided the backup.

3. And an industrial engineer client of mine shared his philosophy of design with me, which we used on his resume and his cover letter. Plus, I used a logo he designed on these docs as well – proof of performance. He also had a website, online ID, etc.

All three communicated their brands while networking, on the interview, and throughout their job search campaigns.

Bottom line is this – each of these clients was hired faster; each held positions long term; each got paid more than was expected.

Does personal branding work? The answer is a hearty YES!

When does it become a catch-phrase? When it’s merely talked about and NOT implemented.

When applied, can’t deny, it works.

Want to know where your brand stands? Take the quiz:

http://www.knocks.com/RockCareer/CareerBrand_Quiz.html

Note: Artwork provided by SnapHappy Creative LLC

Yes Virginia, companies ARE hiring over the holidays

December 15, 2010November 13, 2013Wendy Terwelp 1 Comment

Companies ARE hiring over the holidays. Here are some short networking stories to give you some ideas to try during the next few weeks. Use them. Share them. Get your story in before Dec. 31, 2013.

1. Chris T. – HIRED as Director of Sales and Business Development with a social media marketing firm. How’d he do it? He used a multi-step social media campaign – including Twitter and LinkedIn.

2. Jennifer A. – HIRED – How’d she do it? Went to a meeting at her church. Connected with several members. Followed up. Landed at her current position – and started this week.

3. Steve S. – OFFER PENDING – How’d he do it? Avid networker who reconnected with former coworkers over the holidays. They put him in touch with this opportunity. After his third interview, he’s awaiting the offer – this week.

Go ahead! Try one or more of these ideas and share your story!

Share your holiday networking story and get a chance to win my book! That’s right – send in your holiday networking story to me directly: consultant@knocks.com or post it here on this blog and get a chance to WIN!

The deadline is Dec. 31, 2013. The earlier you send in your stories, the better ’cause I’m feeling generous. We’ll be doing more than one drawing.

And, for those of you who simply can’t wait for a drawing, get my book, Rock Your Network® for Job Seekers, by clicking on the book cover.

I look forward to hearing all of your cool holiday networking stories. Thanks in advance for sharing!

PS: Here are links to two holiday networking stories – to give you some ideas:

“Holiday Networking: Pass the Nuts and Your Resume Please” and “Good News: Hired Over the Holidays.”

Note: Article originally published in 2010. Deadline updated for 2013. Send in your stories! | Graphic created by SnapHappy Creative LLC.

Five Social Media Tips for Holiday Networking

December 7, 2010January 27, 2011Wendy Terwelp 1 Comment

Here are Five Quick Tips to help you rock your social media over the holidays. Use them. Share them. Get your story in before Dec. 25, 2010.

1. Pick three. There are MANY social networks online to choose from. I recommend picking three so you can manage the effectively. For job search, I recommend LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. Yes, I did say Facebook.

2. Reconnect with old friends (and make new ones). I reconnected with friends from “back in the day” on Facebook. Not only was it fun, but now as “grown-ups” we can help each other in our careers. You can help your friends as well.

Side note: If you’re going to a Christmas party and photos of you are snapped that may not be as professional as you wish, gently remind folks not to tag you on their Facebook pages. If they do, ask them to take down the photos or un-tag you.

3. Join a group. The holidays can be a great time to join a new group or reactivate your participation in an existing one. Check out the groups your friends are involved with on LinkedIn. Which ones might be a good fit for you? Join and take an active role.

4. Take your online network OFFline. Plan a lunch date or pick up the phone. Learn about the other person’s business and life. Holidays are a great time to do this as people are more relaxed and willing to chat.

5. Be relevant and provide value. Social networking gives you a chance to demonstrate your thought leadership. Share your ideas. I love Twitter for this as I can share my ideas AND re-tweet others’ ideas I feel will be of value to my network (aka: followers).

Go ahead! Try one or more of these ideas and share your story!

The deadline is Dec. 25, 2010. The earlier you send in your stories, the better ’cause I’m feeling generous. We’ll be doing more than one drawing.

And, for those of you who simply can’t wait for a drawing, get my book, Rock Your Network® for Job Seekers, by clicking on the book cover.

Now, here’s the really cool thing, buy one, get one FREE! And, only ONE shipping rate. Woo hoo! (Offer ends 12/31/10.) Get one, give one. Go on!

To get the deal, enter “HO HO HO 2010″ in the special message section when you place order. (We use PayPal.)

I look forward to hearing all of your cool holiday networking stories. Thanks in advance for sharing!

PS: Here are links to two holiday networking stories – to give you some ideas:

“Holiday Networking: Pass the Nuts and Your Resume Please” and “Good News: Hired Over the Holidays.”

Note: Graphic created by SnapHappy Creative LLC.

Five Quick Tips to Network Over the Holidays

December 2, 2010January 27, 2011Wendy Terwelp Leave a comment

Here are Five Quick Tips to help you network like a rock star – and get your story in before Dec. 25, 2010.

1. Listen. Listen for opportunities, problems, or situations in a friend’s conversation. It could be a golden opportunity for you.

2. Ask. Ask others how you may help them. You’ve got to fuel your network to fire it up!™

3. Have your sound bite ready! Focus, Share, Tell.

4. Reconnect. Dig out your holiday mailing list. Who haven’t you talked to in a while? Pick up the phone – and take five to reconnect.

5. Attend. Yes, holiday gatherings can be really crazy. Just do it.

And if you think you’ve got it bad, I just talked with someone who shared the following Thanksgiving story:

“How was my Thanksgiving? Well, the dog drank out of the toilet, then tried to eat all the deserts. Kids were running everywhere – and there were only two of them. Not to mention everyone talking really, really loud and all at the same time. I can’t believe we drove 4-and-a-half hours for that.”

“So,” I said, “Ready for Christmas?”

“Yes,” she said, “We’re doing it all over again.”

Ah, the holidays. Can’t control it, so you might as well make the most of it – and share your story!

The deadline is Dec. 25, 2010. The earlier you send in your stories, the better ’cause I’m feeling generous. We’ll be doing more than one drawing.

And, for those of you who simply can’t wait for a drawing, get my book, Rock Your Network® for Job Seekers, by clicking on the book cover.

Now, here’s the really cool thing, buy one, get one FREE! And, only ONE shipping rate. Woo hoo! (Offer ends 12/31/10.) Get one, give one. Go on!

To get the deal, enter “HO HO HO 2010” in the special message section when you place order. (We use PayPal.)

I look forward to hearing all of your cool holiday networking stories. Thanks in advance for sharing!

PS: Here are links to two holiday networking stories – to give you some ideas:

“Holiday Networking: Pass the Nuts and Your Resume Please” and “Good News: Hired Over the Holidays.”

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