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Strategy: 10 Simple Things My Dad Taught Me About Networking…Looking Out for How you Can Leverage Your Contacts to Help Others Is the Foundation of Being a Connector

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It’s often said that whether or not we like it, we end up morphing into our parents as we grow older.

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I was fortunate to have my dad role model for me some really critical lessons about the power of being a connector and master networker, and I’d like to share his top lessons with you:

  1. Always remember birthdays. My dad taught me the value of remembering things that are going on in other people’s lives. One thing he does is makes it a habit to calendar the birthdays of the important people in his network and send them a snail mail card each year. This is generally dozens of cards a month and it makes a lasting impression.

 

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2. Be a connector. Looking out for how you can leverage your contacts to help others is the foundation of being a connector.  It’s about giving without the expectation that you will get something in return.

3-Look at the world as a puzzle. Whether you’re speaking with your friend or person you met at an event, listen carefully to what they’re telling you. Are they expressing concern or frustration about something? Have they expressly mentioned a need? Is there someone in your network with whom you could connect them to help or move them forward on their journey in life? Look at the world like a puzzle, using your network to connect others to help both parties advance.

4-There aren’t six degrees of separation…there are two, you just have to think hard about how to get there! This builds off of lesson number three. It’s easy to visualize now when you look at tools like LinkedIn that document for you how many degrees of separation exist between you and someone with whom you’d like to connect. The statistic is technically that there are 4.74 degrees of separation, but thinking of it as two simply served as a perspective shift for me on the power of your connections.

5-It’s not necessarily what you know, but whom you know. Think back to the last time you needed something intangible and how you got it. Getting a job is certainly easier if you know someone. Closing that big deal goes more smoothly when someone refers you. The examples go on and on. Certainly what you know is not to be discredited entirely, because once you get in the door, you have to back it up with something. But, would you have gotten in the door without a connection? Or would it not be a boost to have had someone singing your praises before you arrived?

6-Do talk to strangers. My dad is the king of striking up a conversation with anyone, especially his plane seatmate. He’ll know your life story by the time the flight lands and in all likelihood, you’ll have an email in your inbox within 24 hours connecting you to someone who will be of value to you. He is never out for anything for himself in these chats; he rarely even tells the other person much about himself. But, he’s been able to gift the power of his network to countless people over the years simply by saying hello and asking questions.

7-It’s all about your follow-through. If you don’t follow up, send a thank you, do what you said you’ll do or keep in touch, a relationship falls flat.

8-Being on time is late; 5 minutes early is on time. A big part of networking is what happens after an initial meeting and the impression you make. Part of that is being respectful of someone else’s time by arriving early.

9-Relationships often pay dividends years down the road. If you can do something for the people you meet right away, that’s a bonus. But sometimes, it takes years to find that opportunity. Either way, a relationship in itself has value.

10- Never underestimate the power of someone’s rolodex (or CRM, LinkedIn contacts, or whatever other modern-day version you prefer). Being kind to someone could result in their singing your praises or connecting you to someone who becomes a great influence. Being unkind, cold or selfish could result in the opposite — never, ever burn bridges.

Finally, a bonus tip: Use proper grammar and dress the part during meetings. Both contribute to the impression you’re making and the way you carry yourself. Thank you, Dad, for all the valuable lessons that have served me well as an adult.

Darrah Brustein is a writer, master-networker, and serial entrepreneur with businesses in merchant services, networking and financial education for kids; she is also the founder of Network Under 40, a networking organization young professionals.

 

Forbes.com | January 13, 2015  | Darrah Brustein 

http://www.forbes.com/sites/yec/2015/01/13/10-simple-things-my-dad-taught-me-about-networking/

Your Career: How To Get The Job Interview…What is Causing a Hiring Manager to Lose Sleep is the Business Pain in the picture, & it’s Almost Never Stated or Even Hinted at in The Job Ad.

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The hardest part of a job search is getting the interview. Once you’re in the door at a job interview, your chances of getting the job rise dramatically. Of course, getting a good job isn’t just a numbers game. You have to have a good sense of what your hiring manager is dealing with — what’s keeping him or her up at night, in other words.

 

What is causing a hiring manager to lose sleep is theBusiness Pain in the picture, and it’s almost never stated or even hinted at in the job ad.

You don’t have to restrict yourself to reading job ads and responding to them, either. You can start a conversation with any hiring manager aboutBusiness Pain. You can write a Pain Letter and send it with your Human-Voiced Resume directly to the manager who’d be your boss if you got the job.

 

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How to begin? Start with this search on LinkedIn LNKD -1.76%. We teach this search in our LinkedIn workshops and it’s very popular, because the results you’ll get from this LinkedIn search will fuel your job search.

The search is called Who’s Around, because your search results will tell you which employers in your geographical area have people on board who do some of the same things you do in your work.

To begin a Who’s Around search, log into LinkedIn and look for the open search box at the top of the page. Next to the search box you’ll see the wordAdvanced. Click on that word; it will take you to the Advanced Search page of LinkedIn. We’re going to use the Advanced Search page to search the massive LinkedIn user database.

You’ll see open boxes all the way down the left side of the Advanced Search page. We won’t use all of them – just a few. We’ll use the keyword box (at the top) to search for keywords that are relevant to you in your job search. Think about keywords that are most pertinent to the sort of work you do. Here are some ideas:

  • Cost Accounting
  • RF
  • social media analytics
  • employee benefits design
  • software documentation
  • Channel Sales

When you conduct a Who’s Around search, you’ll plug one keyword at a time (one keyword or phrase per search) into the Keyword field on the LinkedIn Advanced Search page. Next, you’ll plug in your geography. That’s all the way down at the bottom of the Advanced Search page. You’ll be asked to enter a zip code or postal code so that LinkedIn can focus your Who’s Around search on people who are based near where you are.

Now, hit Search. What is LinkedIn’s search engine going to do? It’s going to look for LinkedIn users who have the same words in their profiles that you entered into the Keyword field, and who are are located not far from you. You’re going to get back a list of search results, and those search results are people. They’re other LinkedIn users. You’re going to read each profile, because some of these LinkedIn users work for employers who are doing work you should know about.

Some of the employers may be small. They may be flying under the radar. They may not even have a website yet! That’s okay. You’re going to look at the profiles and learn about these LinkedIn users who have keywords — interests, that is — in common with you. Who else are they connected to? Some of their connections are folks you should know — leaders at organizations who might be able to use someone like you.

You can send these leaders Pain Letters, and I hope you do. Pain Letters are not magic bullets — only about one in four Pain Letters results in a return phone call or email reply, but that’s still a lot better than the results you’ll get lobbing applications into faceless Black Holes recruiting portals.

Your Pain Letter will speak directly to a busy businessperson about something he or she cares more about than almost anything — solving his or her biggest problem at work.

That’s how you’ll get a job interview. It takes a little pluck and a bit of elbow grease to send a Pain Letter to your hiring manager, because you have to do some research to write a thoughtful and intelligent Pain Letter.

You have to formulate a Pain Hypothesis, but it isn’t hard to do. There are only a small number of possible Business Pains, to begin with. Your next employer may be having trouble getting new products out the door. They may be falling down in their marketing efforts.

You’re a wise businessperson — investigate and make an educated guess about which roadblocks are in your hiring manager’s way. Next, write about it. Tie your Pain Hypothesis to a quick story about a time when you solved a similar sort of Business Pain, and your chances at meeting the hiring manager face to face zoom upwards.

Try it! It’s a new year, a great time to step away from cold and dysfunctional systems that don’t work.

Read more about Pain Letters and the non-traditional Whole Person Job Search approach at the links below.

Forget Cover Letters- Write a Pain Letter, Instead! 

Dear Hiring Manager, I Feel Your Pain

How to Get Past the Hiring Gatekeeper

Five Things You Don’t Need To Include On Your Resume

These Ten Zombie Phrases Are Killing Your Resume

How To Write Your Human-Voiced Resume

How to Follow Up on a Pain Letter

Is Your Resume Ready for Action? Find Out!

If You Did It, Claim It On Your Resume! 

Is the Zombie Voice in Your Resume Hurting Your Brand?

 

 

Forbes.com | January 11, 2015 | Liz Ryan

http://www.forbes.com/sites/lizryan/2015/01/11/how-to-get-the-job-interview

 

Your Career: A Guide To Networking For Shy People…Networking is Not Just for Extroverts Anymore. No Matter Your Preferred Style of Engagement, You Can Make it Work for You

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While there are some people who enjoy networking and get a lot of energy from interacting with a crowd, many find it intimidating and draining. Traditional networking is not for everyone.

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However, networking is essential in today’s job market. Experts estimate that well over half of jobs are found through networking and word of mouth. The old job search method of comfortably sitting at your computer sending off résumés and cover letters will no longer get you very far.

Luckily for introverts, there are multiple ways to network. Some may bring you a bit outside of your comfort zone, but that’s not a bad thing. Think of these as skills you are developing that could benefit you in a future job.

1. Start from a position of strength. When you’re employed, it’s much easier to promote yourself and talk about what you do. When you network while employed, you will exude confidence. Start building your network from there. And if it’s possible and of interest to you to meet new contacts within your company, begin with them.

 

Like this Article ??.…First Sun Consulting, LLC- Outplacement/Executive Coaching Services,  is Proud to sponsor/provide our ‘FSC Career Blog’  Article Below.  Over 600 current articles like these are on our website in our FSC Career Blog (https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/)  with the most updated/current articles on the web for new management trends, employment updates along with career branding techniques  .

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2. Refine your elevator speech. This is a tough thing for everyone to develop, so don’t think you’re alone if you’re not happy with yours yet. Your speech should evolve over time as you practice more or change your career focus areas.

Aim to compose one that tells your listener in 30 seconds or less why he or she should want to get to know you better. Keep it simple. Briefly explain what you do, where you want to go and why. If all goes well, you could end up with a referral.

3. Begin within your comfort zone. People tend to think immediately of large events as the sole networking opportunities. However, there is not only one type of networking.

It can happen in small or large groups or one on one, and it doesn’t even have to be in person – it can be on the phone, email, Skype or FaceTime. A good place to start is with a brief email introduction and a question. Figure out what you’d like to get from your interaction with this person. Do you want to hear about how they got into their field or how they like their company?

4. Be explicit with your requests. Think about what information you can possibly glean from the person you’re networking with. Don’t ask him or her to forward your résumé to human resources or help you get a job.

Briefly introduce yourself at the start of an email, call or in-person meeting, and tell him or her what kind of advice you are seeking. Asking questions will help take the focus off you and allow you to learn a lot about the other person.

5. Build new relationships by helping others achieve their goals. “You get what you give” extends to the professional world. If you help colleagues at work, they’re likely to help you at some point. If you make yourself available to junior staff, students from your alma mater or others who reach out and ask for your guidance, perhaps they will be able to help you in an unknown way in the future. Pay it forward, and you’ll likely see returns, even when you don’t expect it.

Determining what type of networking is most comfortable for you will make you confident. If you’re uncomfortable, it’s unlikely you will make a good impression. Use opportunities where you feel relaxed as chances to engage people on the subject of your career. This could be one on one at work or social events. Or you might find it easiest to begin on the computer through social media or email.

Be available to others when they request help. Not only will this help you gain self-assurance in your abilities, but this also helps you build contacts and trust among folks who may return the favor in the future.

Whatever methods you choose, the most important thing is that you can clearly and concisely define what it is you are asking of the person. You may be asking questions to make you more at ease with him or her, or you may want a targeted request for guidance on your next career move.

Networking is not just for extroverts anymore. No matter your preferred style of engagement, you can make it work for you.

 http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2015/01/08/5-steps-to-networking-success-for-introverts#ixzz3OGiIwFBD

Your Career: How To Not Work For The Rest Of Your Life…It’s 100 Percent Possible for You to Not Feel Like You’re Working for the Rest of Your Life, I’m Not Throwing Around Empty Inspiration

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I was fascinated and thankful to recently read, “How to Accept that You Have to Work for the Rest of Your Life,” because it opened me up to a big realization, which went something like, “Holy crap! I totally forgot that a huge chunk of our generation feels like this!”

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We need to stop and have a meaningful conversation about this, and I’m so glad to have been reminded of the necessity.

I remember well the terrifying prospect of graduating college and being faced with the interminable reality of working for 40 or 50 years. Personally, it made me break out in cold sweats and I ended up quitting my first job 18 months after I graduated … because reality was just a little too real for me.

Like this Article ??.…First Sun Consulting, LLC- Outplacement/Executive Coaching Services,  is Proud to sponsor/provide our ‘FSC Career Blog’  Article Below.  Over 600 current articles like these are on our website in our FSC Career Blog (https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/)  with the most updated/current articles on the web for new management trends, employment updates along with career branding techniques  .

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Very long story short — I ended up becoming a life and career coach for women of our generation. I help people pinpoint the intersection between their career and their passion so they can feel alive and fulfilled. I’ve personally gone from being terrified to “work” for endless decades to feeling like everything I do is “living,” not just “working” (and living around the confines of work).

When I say that it’s 100 percent possible for you to not feel like you’re working for the rest of your life, I’m not throwing around empty inspiration. I know that it’s possible because not only have I done it for myself, but I’ve also helped hundreds of women in our generation do the same.

It’s not peddling magic or false hope or unicorns and rainbows. I’m talking about having a passionate life and career that’s real, attainable, grounded, actionable, and that you (yes, you) can actually make happen. Let’s talk about how to get started.

1. Know that what you believe to be true will continue to be true for you.

It’s very normal to graduate college and be forced to accept the reality of working for the rest of your life. But “normal” doesn’t have to mean “necessary.”

If you believe without question that life has to be a matter of sitting at a desk, commuting, feeling so-so, and living your life in the limited space in between, then that will continue to be your reality.

It sounds simple, but it has profound impact when people take this to heart: When you choose to question what you believe to be true, everything can change.

Even believing that you could just maybe do something that excites you more, allows you to leave the desk, or gives you plenty of flexibility (or whatever else you’re craving) will change the way you think and act.

When you’re open to more possibilities, you might give yourself permission to job search, or put firmer boundaries around the time you spend working, or (gasp!) quit your job.

2. If you feel like you’re tolerating your work (or life), something’s off.

Honestly, more often than I wish were the case, I get asked: “Does this really have to be it for me? Is this really all there is to being an adult?”

No. Please believe me when I say that life doesn’t have to peak at “acceptance.” Life peaks at “thriving,” “joy,” “fulfillment,” “deep satisfaction,” “excitement,” and “passion.”

If you feel like you’re accepting or tolerating your situation, that’s not a sign for you to shrug your shoulders and learn how to cope with your reality.

It’s a sign (consider it a big, neon, blinking one) that you’re not feeling totally fulfilled, and that it’s time to take action and change your reality. Which leads me to…

3. You might not be working the right way for you.

This was so not obvious to me when I graduated college, and it’s taken me years to understand and refine this point: Not everyone is meant to work the same way.

If you can’t tolerate sitting all day, there’s nothing wrong with you. You need to move.

If you can’t fathom someone telling you what to do with your time for the rest of your life, there’s nothing wrong with you. You need autonomy.

If you can’t get excited about the mission of your company, there’s nothing wrong with you. You need purpose.

I feel so strongly about this that I encourage you to take The Passion Profile Quiz. It’s a free resource that my business partner (the awesome Kristen Walker) and I created to help women of our generation figure out how to discover the intersection between their career and their passion, so that they can have a career that feels good to them.

And lastly…

4. Be willing to confront the fear of not accepting your situation.

It’s easy to start tolerating the idea of “working” forever, even if the thought kind of suffocates you, because it’s understandably scary to take the action required to change.

Weigh your options. How does it feel to contemplate being in toleration mode indefinitely? How does the thought of opening yourself up to something else (even if you don’t yet know what that is) feel?

I know it’s possible for you to feel awesome about your career and life. It’s actually so possible that I had forgotten other people believe they should “accept” the way the work world is.

So, I’d love to know how much you’ve felt like you should accept your situation and what you might be thinking now. I’d love to connect with you in the comments below!

Businessinsider.com | January 6, 2015 | RACHEL EAST, LEVO LEAGUE

http://www.levo.com/articles/career-advice/how-to-not-work-for-the-rest-of-your-life#ixzz3O4muEKw7