Networking

What to Say at Networking Events

Wendy Terwelp 3 Comments

Tongue-tied at networking events? Here are some tips to start a conversation.

Have at least three open-ended questions you can ask any person at the networking event.

Here are open-ended questions that encourage conversation:
1) What brings you to today’s meeting?
2) What one or two things would you like to take away from this event?
3) What’s the coolest thing that’s happened to you all week?

NEVER ask: “Do you know anyone who’s hiring?”

Your goal is to create real and helpful connections, NOT close the deal on a job offer or try to collect the most business cards in the room.

Want more networking tips? Read, “Rock Your Network®”

Job Searching Sucks

Wendy Terwelp 1 Comment

I’ve been listening in on several LinkedIn groups of late and there’s a common theme, job searching sucks!

Comments have included: “No one hires older candidates.” “I don’t know how to communicate transferable skills.” “I know I sure don’t want to do what I did before…but…” “I hate networking.” “Who do I talk to?”

It’s true that many of the above are perceived obstacles. Let’s talk about some solutions that work in overcoming them.

1. Know what you want. If you don’t, it’s much harder for your network to help you. “Know anyone who’s hiring?” is not an effective networking opener. Plus, it is not the hiring decision-maker’s job to tell you what they have open or what position you may be good for. One HR director from Hallmark told me, “Help us out a bit. We’re not career counselors. Tell us what you want!”

If you’re making a change and are unclear of your new direction, I recommend completing career assessments to help you gain focus. Use a real person to help you, not just online assessment tools. A career coach or counselor can help you narrow down your choices and determine the right path for you. It’s a team effort, because your coach is objective, and sometimes a person needs help in defining goals (and a little prodding as well).

2. Age. You are the age you are. Trying to hide your age is going to be an eye-opener when you show up and appear older than 40. Rather than hide your age, demonstrate your value to an organization. What do you bring to the table BESIDES years of experience? A CEO of a staffing firm told me, “For people with 20 or more years of experience, DO NOT write that into your resume. Put a BENEFIT STATEMENT into your resume – something that speaks of how you 1) made the company money, 2) saved the company money or 3) streamlined procedures. Years of experience is immaterial and may indicate that you are just “old.” Companies want to know what kind of contribution you can make to their success – not how many years you’ve been working.”

I have worked with clients 50 and older. One 58-year-old client was very concerned about this. I must say, I had no idea she was 58, and only guessed she was older than 50 because I worked with her daughter previously. She was smart, savvy, dressed young – yet very professionally – and had modern glasses and haircut. This is important for interviews. Another, 62, bought a fitness club and runs this. All of my clients have “young” attitudes, are willing to learn, many are very physically active. You can talk about your marathon, bicycling, etc. on your interview if it comes up. If it doesn’t, know that you can mention relevant hobbies on your resume. I do not mean golf and reading. These are BORING. I do mean, if you ran a marathon in Prague, cool. Mention it. I did this for a client who was transitioning from being an experienced hospital staff nurse to pharmaceutical sales. She got the gig.

3. Transferable skills. Sure you’ve got them. It’s your responsibility to help employers connect the dots. It’s not an employer’s responsibility to do it for you. How? a) Demonstrate your thought leadership online – blog posts, tweets, article links, commentary all help you achieve this. BONUS – doing so shows you “get it” and are hip to online social media. b) Build your LinkedIn network. You are who you hang with. c) Read things outside your industry as well as inside. This gives you a broad perspective. Then communicate your new thoughts online, in white papers, and at your next industry gathering (professional network, etc.).

According to a Microsoft survey in 12/2009 about social media and hiring, 79% of interviewers said they Google candidates before meeting them. In another survey, 45% of employers said they would eliminate candidates based on what they found online.

Let’s help them find some good (not scary) stuff.

Want more ideas? Visit my newsroom here: http://www.knocks.com/News/News.asp, subscribe to this blog, and subscribe to my e-zine (http://knocks.com – check out the sign-up box).

Job Action Day: Create Your Own Opportunity

Wendy Terwelp 4 Comments

While Job Action Day is officially Nov. 1, I thought the topic was terrific and needed a few more posts.

I recently spoke with a job seeker who told me, “Why can’t I just go to work? Why do I have to go through all this job search process. It’s really annoying.” She had been downsized and looking for the past year. Zero interviews thus far.

She was going to send me her resume for a free review, but I’ve yet to see one. Typically, if there are no interviews, it’s likely a resume issue. It can also be a search strategy issue.

The job search process itself can be pretty discouraging. So, how about making a change? Instead of spraying your resume all over the internet and praying someone calls you, create your own opportunity! Yes, you can still do so, even in today’s economy. That’s what Job Action Day is all about.

The Story of George

George is a professional with a solid background in information technology and talent management. He came to one of my Rock Your Network events, where I had some presenters from a local company sharing their expertise in how to use job boards effectively, including networking your way to the right decision maker.

This gave George some solid ideas about how he could make a positive contribution to this organization. He took the initiative to talk with the presenters after the event. He got names, specifically, the name of the owner of this organization.

George then set up a meeting. He prepared in advance, outlining what he could bring to the table. The meeting went well. Then came the wait. It was a long one.

He asked me about this, “What should I do?” Of course, I asked if he’d had a chance to follow up.

So, he followed up a few times, professionally, adding value each time.

A few months later, George was hired – in a brand new – created-just-for-George – position at this company. It was a management role AND paid well.

A few years later, George created another opportunity for himself with a new company. He networked his way in, and as before, conveyed his value, and was hired.

Was it instant gratification? NO. Was it proactive? YES. Did it take some courage? YES.

Can you do this? YES.

Go on, take a chance! And please do share your experience!

Graphics: Created by SnapHappy Creative LLC

 

 

 

I don’t kiss on the first date – LinkedIn Tips

Wendy Terwelp Leave a comment

“I don’t kiss on the first date,” one LinkedIn employee said to my friend G, when he asked to connect with her on LinkedIn.G’s mouth just hung open. “I didn’t ask you to. I just wanted to add you to my LinkedIn network.”

“Right. It’s like kissing on the first date. I don’t even know you. I just met you at this conference, and you want access to all my hard-won connections on LinkedIn,” she explained.

G had never thought about it like that before, he told me when relaying this story.

And most people don’t.

Many are going for LION or one million connections. Maybe it works for them. Typically, it doesn’t.

Think about LinkedIn invitations like this:

1. Is this person someone you know personally or would like to know personally? If it’s someone you’d like to know, schedule a time to talk with him or her to get to know the person better. Find out how you can help each other. After you do, ask yourself, would this person be an asset to your network? If so, ask them to join (or accept his or her invitation). If not…

2. Is this a person you already know, like, and trust enough to refer to all your other connections on LinkedIn? He is? Ask them to join your network.

3. Does this person have a strong LinkedIn profile, which includes a professional picture, solid recommendations, and a decent-sized network that adds value? She does? Accept her invitation (after you’ve talked of course).

4. Does this person provide value to his or her network already? You can check this out from reading the updates.

5. Does this person have a blog? Facebook? Twitter? She does? Great – check it out. Heck, people do background checks before dates, why not before accepting LinkedIn invitations?

6. Google him or her. What else comes up – besides his or her LinkedIn profile? Has he got digital dirt?

7. Know that LinkedIn is a professional network. Are the people you’re asking and who are asking you professional? Are they on brand for you and your business or career goals?

8. Check out your own LinkedIn profile with fresh eyes. Does your profile convey your personality? Do you have a professional head-shot? And NO, wedding pictures do not count here. Did you complete the entire LinkedIn profile? Are you providing more details about your employment background or only listing names and titles? Do you have recommendations from those in your network? Do you already add value to your network?

9. If you’ve answered NO to any of the above, beef up your profile. Answer questions from those in your network. Join groups. Provide recommendations to others in your network – that’s the easiest way to get them for yourself too.

10. Need more help? Check out Rock Your Network.

If you’ve more tips you’d like to add to this list, please share your thoughts!

© 2010 Wendy Terwelp

Oscar®-Winning Networking

Wendy Terwelp Leave a comment

Academy Awards Oscar®

Jeff Bridges did it. Sandra Bullock did it. Mo’Nique did it. And you can too.

In fact, all the Oscar®-winners did it so much, there’s a special link on Oscar.com about it. Here it is: http://bit.ly/b6t8Dj

What am I talking about? Why the easiest way to start a conversation. The easiest way to network. The easiest way to get enough courage to pick up the phone.

And the winner is…. THANK YOU.

You are not alone. No matter how crappy you’re feeling about the downsizing, the firing, the economy. You have people in your life you’ve helped in some way and they want to help you now.

In Malcolm Gladwell’s book, “Outliers,” he says no one is a self-made man. You’ve got a community, a neighbor, a family, a time period when you were born…

And, when you listen to the Oscar®-winners’ speeches, they get it. They thank everyone. And I mean everyone. From fellow actors, to camera crews, to directors, to family members, to teachers, to past Oscar-winners who inspired them, and more.

You can too, because you do have people in your life who’ve inspired you in some way at some point in time.

One client recently said to me, “I hate small talk.” Well, thanking a person isn’t ever small. Another, “I don’t even know where to start.” How about “Thanks!”?

Coaching Challenge: Go ahead. Be an Oscar®-winner. Pretend you are one of the nominees. Make a list of all the people you would like to thank who have helped you along the way. Start with at least 10. Yes, your family members count! (Heck, Jeff Bridges thanked his mom, dad, three kids, wife…)

Next to each person’s name, jot down something you’d like to thank them for. Here’s one of mine:

Dad – Thanks for telling me to not complain to my boss unless I have a solution. Now, I’m the boss and this is advice I’ve passed on to my clients. This has helped my clients feel more confident, think about solutions (rather than problems), and even get promoted.

Now pick up the phone, and make the call. You can do it!

Thanking a person is the easiest way to start a conversation. And definitely an Oscar®-winning tip you can use in your job search – and beyond – to make your network thrive.

Want even more tips to make your network thrive? Check out, “Rock Your Network® for Job Seekers.”