Friday, July 17, 2009
Two out of three people get a job through networking.
Most job seekers spend the majority of their time scouring online postings and blasting their resume to job boards. Ask any hiring manager or recruiter where they find most of their candidates, and time and time again they will say through a referral or a recommendation.
Since networking is the key to getting where you want to be, you need to make sure you know the rules of the game for networking events.
Sure, you may be intimidated by the popular, evening networking event. You spend the evening at a swanky bar or restaurant, and you enter a huge room filled with people you don't know. It may seem scary, but everyone in that room is there because they want to network and talk with people just like you.
Here are a few, quick tips to ensure you have a successful networking event:
1. Do your prep work and know what type of people will be in attendance.
2. Read the news, so you can be up-to-speed on current events and potential conversation topics.
3. Make note of who the event organizers are, so you can thank them at the event. (Usually they are the most connected people in the room.)
4. Dress the part. Make note of the venue and expected attire.
5. Think of about five conversation starters or opening lines. It doesn't have to be deep - weather, sports, local news, reasons for being there, etc.
6. Arrive on time. You can meet the organizers and work a smaller crowd.
7. Focus on the people, not the food. It's difficult to shake hands and continue conversations when your hands and mouth are always full.
8. Drink in moderation. No one wants to hear you slur about your job search over your fifth glass of red vino.
9. Position yourself in a high traffic area.
10. Be assertive. "Hello, my name is..." Introduce yourself and start conversations.
11. Say something after your name to help lead the conversation. "Hi, I'm Courtney, I'm new to YPC. Are you a YPC member?"
12. Try not to talk with the same two people the whole night. Sure, it's more comfortable, but you can follow up with those two over coffee another day.
13. To keep the conversation going, focus on things you both know about - the guest speaker, the networking event, or the organization hosting the program.
14. Listen and ask questions. Remember, it's not all about you.
15. Hand out your business card to those you shared a conversation with, but don't fling them out like flyers.
16. Request a business card from those you would like to follow up with.
17. Bring a wingman if you're intimidated, just don't spend the entire evening chatting with your friend.
18. Tell the event planners thanks and that you enjoyed the event.
19. Jot down notes on the business cards to keep track of everyone you meet.
20. Follow up! After the event, get connected on LinkedIn, and send a personal email to request a meeting to continue conversations.
Remember, you simply are meeting people, making connections, and creating relationships. A quality network is priceless in your job search.
You should check out our new e-book, Stop Job Searching, Start Networking: The Secrets to Getting Hired the Easier Way for more great tips and techniques.
Courtney Pike is the Director of Operations at JobBound (www.jobbound.com), a company dedicated to helping job seekers with resume writing, interviewing, career coaching and landing that dream job. Courtney is a solutions-oriented career development and communications professional who has brought leading-edge career initiatives to JobBound. Courtney manages and contributes to JobBound's company blog, and she is co-author of the book, How to Say It On Your Resume. Courtney received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Spring Hill College in Mobile, AL, and she currently resides in Chicago.
Posted by Courtney Pike on July 17, 2009 at 08:11 AM
(51) Comments
Comments:
Great post! I’m just starting out in community management/marketing media and trying to learn how to do it well - resources like this article are incredibly helpful. As our company is based in the US, it’s all a bit new to us. The example above is something that I worry about as well, how to show your own genuine enthusiasm and share the fact that your product is useful in this case.
- share your option on August 03, 2009 at 02:09 PM
In one of my meeting I carried books in one hand & drink (Coffee I guess) in another, which made the “first & last hand-shake” & “contact card exchange” very difficult.
1. Keep your hands clean & empty
2. Keep your drink on the table while you talk, to avoid spilling
3. Keep business cards handy, they should be crisp & un-folded
First impression is the last.
- PP on August 05, 2009 at 02:57 PM
There is networking and then there is networking. As someone who has passed his one year anniversary on the unemployment line, I have heard nothing but, “most jobs are gotten through networking.” Yet, there are a finite number of jobs out there, and some folks make you think that there is something wrong with you if you haven’t gotten a job through networking. Well, guess what, many folks networks are dry as the job market itself! Those with jobs feel darned lucky to have them, but there are not that many out there to be had, through networking or otherwise. Lots of networking events are filled with unemployed people passing business cards to other unemployed people. If you are not networking, fear not, there are still ways to get jobs out there. But networking is not necessarily the only or best way to do it.
- trainrdt on August 05, 2009 at 03:19 PM
These are some great tips!
I have a few comments to share based off some of the points you posted.
7. Focus on the people, not the food. It’s difficult to shake hands and continue conversations when your hands and mouth are always full
-- This is a good tip. A recent networking event I attended was poolside at a country club. The business had tables which made for a super set-up for sitting and having a discussion as well as being able to eat some good food. Not all networking events are set-up this way, but if seating is provided, take advantage of it!
13. To keep the conversation going, focus on things you both know about - the guest speaker, the networking event, or the organization hosting the program.
-- You may also consider sharing something a little personal about yourself with someone you meet. For instance, I went to a networking event a few weeks ago. I introduced myself as looking for a software development position, but I am also writing a book about my son. My son has had 5 heart surgeries so far. It turns out that one of the women at the event that I spoke with had a son who also had experienced heart surgery. Furthurmore, as our conversation continued, I learned that the surgeon who performed her son’s is the same doctor that performed all of my son’s.
You never know what topic might lead to the connection.
From #15.
Hand out your business card to those you shared a conversation with, but don’t fling them out like flyers.
-- Consider including the url to your linked-in profile on your business card. This will help people locate you incase there are multiple people on linked in with your same name. A personalized url is always a good thing too.
From #17.
Bring a wingman if you’re intimidated, just don’t spend the entire evening chatting with your friend.
-- Having a wingman, even if you are not intimidated is an awsome idea. If you have a friend attend the networking event with you, they can introduce you to people they know that you don’t. The whole idea of how to start the conversation is then a moot point because your mutual connection can fill that role for you. Hi, Steve, this is Jim, he’s looking for a position as a ...
This technique doesn’t always take place, but when it does, it is a good situation for all involved.
From #19. Jot down notes on the business cards to keep track of everyone you meet.
-- Try making a note of the date and where you met the person. Also, try to find out if the person has a profile on linked-in. If they do, that can make a connection easier to maintain.
If you would like more information about how to set up a networking event, contact Katie Felten. She has organized several networking events in Southeastern Wisconsin. I’m sure if she received an e-mail: katie@mkelive.com she would be happy to assist anyone with this process if she could. — Tell her Jim Horrell suggested you contact her.
Thank you,
Jim Horrell - jrhorrell@live.com
- Jim Horrell - jrhorrell@live.com on August 05, 2009 at 03:35 PM
Great pointers, especially about arriving early in order to talk with a smaller croud and with the event organizer. That person will provide the most tips and future contacts.
- Nancy Baldwin on August 06, 2009 at 08:05 AM
Sounds good to me! Any practical advice for those of us who are not able to imbibe and find the presence of alcohol a “trigger?” (I’m sure taking a wing man would be advisable.)
Larry from Bothell
- L. Ortoli on August 06, 2009 at 02:49 PM
Yes, networking events are a great opportunity to relax with peers and connect with people. Even if you are in an event with 100% unemployed job hunters and there are no HOT LEADS developing directly, for me there is always the satisfaction that I met new people and hopefully was able to help them in their search, provide some hints how to go from A to B and/or share success and failed attempts in the various endeavors one undertakes in these trying times.
Remember it is “not all about you” (#14), if you give more than you expect in return you will feel good. And that is what it’s all about; you’ll be more productive in your search the next day. If you end up with a whiner as a major contributor to your affairs, try to lift him/her out of his/her misery thru inspiration. You will find that at the end of the day both of you are better off.
The points you are making in #16, 19 & 20 are very important, I agree. But that is something I am struggling with. I go in with a “Just Do It” attitude but it’s not happening. It’s either not collecting business cards or not making the necessary notes to start with and then to develop that connection in a follow-up. Falling in the trap of priority is the job search these important tasks fall behind. Does anyone have good suggestions to help me with that effort?
Thank you,
Guenther – GSMaintEng@gmail.com
- Guenther Strunk on August 07, 2009 at 10:25 AM
Courtney - Great list for success at any networking event!
Guenther - I believe you have very nicely tied together four key items on the list (14, 16, 19 and 20.) As you meet and greet, find people there that you can help. Have a legitimate interest in helping them.
Ask for their card so that you can get back to them. Jot down notes on the card - date, place, topic - to remind you. Give them your card, so they will be clear on who will be following up with them. Collect all your cards in an organized “card keeper” when you get home. Then follow up on each card as soon as you can after you meet the person - the very next day, if possible. Set aside 30-45 minutes each day to do follow-up on business cards you have collected. Make it a required part of your daily job search routine and schedule. Look forward to it by enjoying that you are helping others and taking a positive action step in your job search.
Your contacts will be well-received if you are reaching out to help the other person. Most people will gladly help you, as well, if they can, after you have gone out of your way to help them. And if they don’t, that’s okay, too. It is part of “paying it forward” for others you have not yet met who will eventually help you.
You can also do the same card collection and follow-up routine with people you believe can help you. It’s okay to ask for help when networking and someone has given you their card and indicated they are open to networking. Give them the opportunity to help you. And always ask at the end of your networking if there is anything you can do to help them.
Best wishes in giving and getting job search assistance!
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Hi,
First things first, you must try and help the people you meet first; see 14, 16, 19 and 20 above. And if you get there early you can ask the organiser who on the guest list might be most able to help you.
I recently held a seminar showing people how to generate immediate interest in themselves when at a networking event. It was attended by people looking to grow their business by generating high quality leads through networking.
One gentleman asked how to generate interest in himself in order to find a job rather than leads so I invited him onto the stage. I explained the principle is the same. Rather than telling people what you are (I’m a networking trainer - boring) you should be telling them what you do (I turn business cards into cash - they usually ask - “how do you do that?"). Then you are in a conversation.
You can then tell them specifically what type of job you want and ask if they know anyone that may be influential enough to recruit you. Then you follow up with those you agreed to help and those that can help you. It’s a beautiful system.
We’re preparing downloadable guides in how to do this. Visit our website to register for a copy.
Take care,
Jason
- Jason Cobine on November 14, 2009 at 04:24 AM
Jason Cobine
http://www.beyondnetworking.co.uk
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