Personal Networking 101 Tony Dye January 7, 2016 Networking. We talk about it. What does it mean? Let’s talk about Personal networking

Let’s pray before we start. Job search – it can be hard Let’s pray before we start. Job search – it can be hard. Trust You have a plan for each of us. Just as YOU are about relationships, may we seek out our part. Show us how to engage well with others. For mutual benefit. Always with You in the middle

“Resources” http://TonyDye.com/CPCCM Notes here. Or email me for a Word or PDF version if you prefer

Job search is an ordered series of steps Job search is an ordered series of steps. We’ve defined 10 specific steps, other people have credibly come up with a few more, a few less, different names, or a slightly different order. But most agree, the order matters! This presentation bridges a few steps, and also has a bit of cyclical bent. To repeat these steps throughout the remainder of your search. You want to ALWAYS be looking for the next person to connect with.

The ten steps. Where are YOU? Ready (committed, accountability) Organized (systems) Clear and succinct CAREER target COMPANY targets CONTACT targets Marketing Plan Networking Resume preparation LinkedIn Interviewing Can you pick WHERE you are on this list? Most people I run into who are stuck, are stuck in #1, 2, or 3. But they are “working on” 6-9 Note that “searching the job boards” isn’t a list item. Don’t get stuck there – for the most part, don’t even go there! (disagreement?) Whatever your answer (keep it to yourself), I’m going to challenge you to prove it to yourself.

Connect Networking. Connecting. Relationships. Related words, but not quite identical Tonight: the steps of networking Misplaced quote: Approx: “lack of employment is not a skills problem, but a relationship problem”

What we want to cover Your preparation Specifically your messages Ideas on who to connect with first, then subsequently

What’s in it for you? EASY way to do productive networking With practice, what would have been harder networking will also become easy Some examples. Loose templates you can use for your own messages. [very rough ideas]

What you need to do Take some action Willingness to connect with family, friends, each other, Dan, me! TRY it

PERSONAL Networking Premise: ALL networking is one-on-one Even at big events, how many people do you talk to at any one time?

The key to networking Be remembered … for good reasons! Your name. What you are looking for. SHORT AND SUCCINCT! Consider someone you met a week or two ago. What do you remember about them? Who chose what you remember?

Your Messages Good Answers (splatter) Elevator pitch? Marketing Document? You need more. And LESS! Appropriate messages for: 1) What are you looking for? (short, succinct), 2) “Tell me about yourself,” 3) How do you want to be introduced?, 4) Making your own warm introductions, 5) What do you typically ask other people when you meet? Do you have good answers to those same questions? 6) Tag lines or Mantras. Can you easily make yourself more memorable?

Your smallest message The minimum you want to be remembered for: Think of a business card. After name, contact info, what critical info would you put in the remaining space? Again, tag lines, mantras. Something catchy but clear. Does it make sense to create such a card? Revisit: what do you remember of others? CHOOSE what you want others to remember of you

FIRST networking meetings Only plan one or two. Expect to learn and adjust. You might get the opportunity to start all over! Family and friends. Others in the career ministry? Dan? Me? These first meetings are to test your messages, equip you, let you adjust ASK for help. Blunt help. Be sure you’re ready to accept correction and thank people for giving it to you!

What to bring Discussion: What to you ABSOLUTELY bring? Absolutely NOT? “Maybe?” Business card? (yes) Marketing document? (probably) Resume? (no!) Marketing “card?” (yes) Notepad? What about a laptop or tablet? What about your cell phone? Related: WHERE do you meet?

Updates. What did you learn from the meeting Updates. What did you learn from the meeting? Do your own 30 second recap. What needs to change? Messages? Marketing doc? LinkedIn headline? What else?

Make the next meeting better. Adjust as needed. Do you have friends who will tell you if you’re doing something dumb? That’s what you need. Practice thanking people for hurting you Be sure you build in time to reflect after each and every meeting – beware the drive to wedge in too many meetings per day

Success? “Boldness comes quickly with success.” Success comes quickly with training & good opportunities.” Courtesy of John Fichtner, Liberty Church. Have a plan and practice it. It will get much easier!

Information Interviews People who can help you. NOT your target employers (yet). Similar roles, regardless of company. People with some [weak] connection to companies of interest. NOT ASKING FOR A JOB! Seeking info. A few thoughts: “If you were me, what would you suggest?” “Who would you suggest I talk with next?” A networking goal – always get at least one more contact!

More Specific The people suggested in earlier meetings. Referrals – those with some bit of affinity. The semi-friendlies of the world. Low risk, but don’t abuse. Focus on self-education. Practice. Learn. Collect Info. Seek more new connections.

For Discussion What if a meeting isn’t going well? When do you exit? Some people won’t [ever] be helpful. Exit gracefully Rarely, leaning toward NEVER, ask for a job! “gather information” Beware burning bridges. Sometimes people have extra value again later Asking for help and giving help: Often comes off really awkward, or lacking authenticity What about recruiters and HR people

Ultimate Target: Decision Makers Specific connections closely related to your target companies. Insiders. Authorities. Decision Makers. Usually NOT HR NOT asking for a job, yet letting it be known you are looking Seeking information. Explore company values. Express your values: “I’ll work hard to make your life easier.” High value. You always get more than you pay for with me! “Make ti easy”

Other Guidelines Clear introductions. Your job is to make it easy on the other person! Watch out for distractions. Review: what do you hand out? What about thank yous? On the spot? After the fact? Hand written? Who “owns” follow-up actions?

Take-aways Messages for each situation Practice with “easy” people EXPECT to be surprised! Revise and refine Do it again Review ABC-123 (on the /CPCCM page) CHALLENGE: reach out to one person by this time next week! What did you get from tonight? 1. Different messages for different situations. 2. Practice with “easy” people. (how many can you think of quickly?) 3. EXPECT to be surprised! 4. Refine your plans with what you learn. 5. Do it again. 6. Review the ABC-123 method (on the /cpccm page) Challenge for you: reach out to one person you don’t know within the next 7 days. Who will it be?

“Resources” http://TonyDye.com/CPCCM Notes here. Or email me for a Word or PDF version if you prefer

Extra thoughts A great line to offer, but only if it is true: "No one will work harder for you to make YOUR job easier. I give you my word." Nod question: "Does that sound fair?" Are you an expense? -or- Are you an investment? Courtesy of Bill Lins. (as in stolen from a talk he made)

The ten steps. Where are YOU? Ready (committed, accountability) Organized (systems) Clear and succinct CAREER target COMPANY targets CONTACT targets Marketing Plan Networking Resume preparation LinkedIn Interviewing Can you pick WHERE you are on this list? Most people I run into who are stuck, are stuck in #1, 2, or 3. But they are “working on” 6-9 Note that “searching the job boards” isn’t a list item. Don’t get stuck there – for the most part, don’t even go there! (disagreement?) Whatever your answer (keep it to yourself), I’m going to challenge you to prove it to yourself.

Looking ahead Twice per month, 1st and 3rd Thursdays Next topic? Maybe go deeper on ABC-123? Or, where are YOU stuck?

Tony Dye TonyDye@Gmail.com @TonyDye TonyDye.com Thank You Tony Dye TonyDye@Gmail.com @TonyDye TonyDye.com