Networking: You Can Do It!

Grace Church Crossroads Career Network Presentations During a Workshop Organizing Your Job Search Resume Do’s & Don’ts Make Recruiters Work For You Interviewing With Success Benefit Considerations When Unemployed Expert Advice on Handling Tough Interview Questions Importance of Networking Of all the presentations and things we teach at Crossroads this has to be truly the most significant and impactful to finding new careers and jobs that are a good fit in a shorter time!

How to Find the Hidden Job Market Have your resume get directly into the hands of a hiring manager – without going through HR Interview for a job that isn’t advertised yet! Interview for a job that hasn’t been created yet! Get a job created for you based on your skills NETWORKING CAN DO ALL THESE THINGS!

Finding a Job = Sales Process How many here are sales people? How many here are comfortable selling their skills? FOR MANY OF YOU THIS WILL BE OUTSIDE YOUR COMFORT ZONE! NETWORKING IS CRUCIAL TO A SPEEDY TRANSITION THE SOONER YOU LEARN TO GET OUTSIDE YOUR COMFORT ZONE THE SOONER YOU WILL FIND A JOB! Phil: 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! The power we receive in union with Christ is sufficient to do his will and to face the challenges that arise!

Why Network? – Benefits? 80% of people find opportunities through networking… 80% of your time should be spent networking Expand knowledge base Expand your circle of influence Lead you to people Be a resource to others Have fun!! Friendship and support Advice and access to different points of view New career paths, employment, and business opportunities Important Information – Market shifts, etc Promotions or lateral moves within organizations Introductions to quality vendors and other sources Advocates within related organizations and industries

Ten Mental Roadblocks to Networking 1. Fear of rejection – What if they say “no” 2. Fear of failure – “If I don’t get a job lead or job offer, I’ve failed” 3. Pride – “I look needy” 4. Insecure – “I’ll be bothering people… I’ve nothing to offer… I’m too shy/introverted to network” 5. Disbelief – “Networking isn’t necessary” 6. Overwhelmed – How do I get the right people to talk to me?” 7. Frustration – “I’ve been networking …but it’s taking forever” 8. Time – “I can’t find time to network or follow up” 9. Confused – I didn’t realize I could ask for that information” 10. Confidentiality – I don’t want my employer to find out”

Source: The Very Quick Job Search by J. Michael Farr (JIST) © Susan Whitcomb 2009 – The Christian's Career Journey – in partnership with Crossroads Career® Network

Who is in My Network? Mapping Your Inventory

Develop Your System to Network Categorize your list A, B, C, D. A – At least 10 people you would consider heavy hitters. Powerful people who make things happen. High visibility, high profile positions like CEO, CFO VPs, etc B – At least 10 people consisting of family, close friends. People you can have candid conversations with and can count on. C – At least 10 people you know through others, customers, vendors associations, clubs. Add your doctor, dentist, lawyer, stockbroker life insurance agent D – At least 10 people who you wouldn’t’ think at first would be people who could help you. These people are not particularly powerful, but might know the person you are looking for. These highly connected D people could be your physical therapist, dry cleaner, butcher, barber or tailor.

Telephone Networking Do’s & Don’ts ■ Develop and use a phone script – Don’t call unprepared ■ Call with a positive attitude, speak with confidence ■ Call in a quiet area with a reliable phone ■ Introduce yourself and the purpose of your call ■ Ask for ACTION! Don’t be afraid to ask for help Can you meet me for 20 minutes to discuss….. ■ Always end the conversation on a positive note

Telephone Scripts – 6 Components 1. Setting the stage/ Grabbing the referral’s attention 2. Value their time 3. Setting expectations 4. Trigger a reaction 5. Generate activity 6. Close the Loop Hi, my name is Jane Doe and I was referred to you by Julie Yedoni, I am currently a buyer at Best Buy and was interested in exploring Category Management from a vendor perspective. Julie suggested that we connect so I could find out exactly what the role of a category manager does before I start looking at positions in this field. Would it be possible to schedule 20 or 30 minutes with you at your convenience to ask you a few questions and get your advice on how best to prepare to enter the field?

Get Ready to Network 30 Second Resume - Elevator speech – three goals 1. Clearly articulate the talents you want someone to know you possess 2. Making it easy for people to understand by using simple language 3. Having an objective. What do you want to accomplish? 30 Second Resume Strategy S – Make your infomercial Short and Succinct T – Think of it in Advance R – Remember the Results you wish to achieve A – Be Articulate in your message T – Time is of the essence – 30 seconds is optimal E – Speak with Enthusiasm and Energy G – Set a Goal to attain Y – Focus on You

U on 30 Seconds (aka Elevator Pitch) Name Label Job Function Industry Brand / Value Proposition 3 Target Companies

U in 30 Seconds (aka Elevator Pitch) My Name is Kathleen Careerist I am a Human Resource Professional, exploring opportunities at the Director level in the Oil and Gas industry I’ve helped deliver double-digit decreases in turnover and implement outsourcing programs that cut cost by more than 17%. My target companies are ExxonMobil, Hunt Oil, and Maguire (pause) What are your thoughts on the best way to learn more about the issues and or key people within those organizations?

Get Ready to Network Self evaluation – to chose your career direction and focus - What do I want? - Where is my passion? - What am I looking for in my next opportunity? Specific Opportunity Evaluation - Research - What does this company do and what industry are they in? - What information do I need to have from this person to interview better? Industry terminology, competition, product knowledge, personality/culture - Based on my research, in what area does the company need help? - Based on what I know, what is my value to the company? - Who at this company would recognize my value to the organization? - What do I “Bring to the Table” that is makes me stand out from the crowd, (both personally and professionally) Cover Letters, Resumes and Calling Cards - Be ready

The Face to Face Networking Meeting Meeting Preparation Guide the discussion ASK for names and contacts Keep them involved in your search Give a report on previous contacts shared Benefits of Face to Face Meeting Network 30 minutes each day

Nurturing Your Network Treat you network as a treasure, which needs to be nourished, preserved, and developed. Networking is a two way street – giving and receiving, you will be helping others Ways to keep in touch with your network 1. Phone calls 2. s send a thank you for their help in securing your job send a small gift to those that really went all out to help 3. Send an article 4. Offer your help 5. Become a referral 6. Provide personal updates 7. Invitations to recreational activities 8. Send holiday cards

The Importance of Using LinkedIn in your Job Search Use LinkedIn to: 1. BE FOUND – by Executive Recruiters, Corporate Recruiters and Hiring Managers! 2. FIND NETWORKING CONTACTS AT TARGET COMPANIES EXPAND YOUR CONNECTIONS SEACH PEOPLE, COMPANIES, GROUPS SEARCH IN GOOGLE FOR LINKEDIN PUBLIC PROFILES – IN AND OUT OF YOUR NETWORK! 3. CONTACT THEM DIRECTLY

Summary – Closing Comments Network as if your life depends on it… because it does! In a world where information jobs and even whole companies are transient, only your network is permanent.. Safeguard it!!! When God closes a door somewhere he always opens a window.

The Lord replied, “My son, my precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of suffering, when you could see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you. ”