Effective networks in seven easy steps

According to subject matter experts, the actual number of unadvertised jobs varies. Whatever the number, the reality is that the exact numbers don’t matter if you’re one of those people who doesn’t have a steady stream of income.

Once you find yourself in the position of having to find a new source of income, it’s critical that you approach this challenge with the mindset that your new full-time job is about finding a new job. Understand that the job of finding a new job is likely to be much more challenging than you ever thought possible. The job of finding a new job is no more difficult than any other challenge you have experienced; however, it does play to their self-motivation skills, which is a challenge for most. It’s all too easy to wake up much later than usual, wander into the kitchen to make yourself a cup of coffee, and perhaps make yourself breakfast sometime before noon. If you have school-age kids at home, then getting up later than usual won’t be an option, but not going back to bed after you’ve sent them home will become part of your morning internal conflict. Resist the urge to go back to bed! Sleep, attractive as the thought may be, is not networking. Once the kids leave for school, get dressed, if you haven’t already, and get to work getting a job. The sooner you get into this mindset, the better off you will be.

This article should be seen as a mini-tutorial on the topic of effective networking. Once you understand the facts and take the time to learn and implement the seven steps to effective networking, you’ll find yourself inundated with all kinds of opportunities and your job search challenge will soon change from “Where can I get a job?” to “What company should I choose to work for?” The first part of this tutorial requires you to accept the following facts:

Fact 1: Most jobs are never advertised

Fact 2: Effective job hunting requires an effective network

Fact 3: There are no ‘gimmicks’ involved in effective networking

Fact 4: Effective networking is a skill anyone can learn in just minutes.

Fact 5: All events and social gatherings are networking events

Once you’ve embraced the facts listed above and hold them as unalterable truths in your mind, it’s time to move on to the actual steps involved on the road to effective networking.

Step One: Prepare for the event. Brush your hair and teeth. Dress comfortably and appropriately. Have your phone cards/business cards easily accessible. Store your cards in a card holder in the outer pocket of your jacket or blazer. Never give anyone a card that is dirty, expired, or has torn edges. Business cards that are dirty, have an outdated date, i.e. incorrect phone number/contact information, or have frayed edges will reflect poorly on you. Dirty, tattered business cards send the message that you don’t care enough about yourself to present yourself well, and future employers will view these actions unfavorably and never call you. Anyone you have met during a networking session and chosen to distribute this unprofessional token reminder of who you are and your qualifications is also unlikely to suggest that you call someone they know, regardless of their qualification for the position.

Step Two – It is important to remember the following tips before entering the networking event:

o Pop a couple of mints in your mouth before you go inside. Stay away from chewing gum. Be careful what topics of conversation you choose. Topics of conversation that are “safe” include the weather, books, movies, electronic devices, vacation destinations, food, etc.

o Evaluate your handshake. Your handshake should be firm and show confidence. On the subject of handshakes, keep in mind that not everyone is up for shaking hands, especially during flu season. If you hesitate to shake someone’s hand or feel uncomfortable reaching out to shake someone else’s hand, smile and tell them you have the flu and you don’t want to be responsible for spreading germs.

o Prepare yourself mentally to deliver your 30-second personal ad. Your personal ad must contain the following information:

or your name

o The name of the company you work for, if you are currently working. If you are currently between opportunities, please list your previous position

o Elements of your work that help others

Step Three: SMILE! Make eye contact with people. Take care of your posture. Keep your body language open. Don’t cross your arms in front of you. Take your hands out of your pockets. Avoid or limit the amount of time you hold drinks or dishes in your hands. If you’re at an event that offers appetizers, steer clear of items that won’t fit in your mouth in one bite, and avoid hors d’oeuvres that will leave you with something to discreetly discard like a chicken or rib. pit, satay sticks etc. Do not sit unless the event specifically calls for it, such as during a breakfast, lunch, or dinner gathering. If you have a purse or briefcase in hand, find a way to store it until you need it.

Step Four – Look for people who are alone or in a group of three. People who are heavily involved in one-on-one conversations rarely want their one-on-one interrupted.

Step Five: Act like you are hosting the event. Introduce you. Ask them by name. If you are looking for a job, continue to ask simple but not intrusive questions. Asking open-ended questions is especially effective if you’re shy. As long as people are talking about themselves, the focus is not on you and you can relax. Ask open-ended questions like “Where are you from? What was the traffic like on the way here? How did you hear about the event? Do you know anyone who is already here? Have you been to these types of events before? What was your experience like? Don’t tell them you’re looking for a job unless they ask. On the subject of work, bring it up by asking questions about the job or job they do. Be open to any curiosity about the things they like about your job, the things they would change, if they could. As you express genuine curiosity about them and their work, they will feel more comfortable talking to you and think of you and your excitement when a job or opportunity comes up. The added bonus of this line of conversation is that it helps you attract other ‘strangers’ into the conversation. By attracting ‘strangers’ into the conversation, you are also setting up your ‘exit strategy’.Once you have introduced these two ‘strangers’ by identifying the things they have or don’t have in common, you can gracefully withdraw from the conversation and move on to meet the next ‘stranger’. Before you leave, it is essential that you do the following:

o Smile and tell them it was nice meeting them. If you can remember his name, even better. If you don’t remember his name, it’s the perfect excuse for you to take out your business card/calling card and hand it over to him. Try to make them smile as you give away their card by saying something like, “I know my name because it’s written on the card I’m about to give you. It’s good that I have a lot of cards, I tend to forget my name, a lot.” You can then easily proceed to ask them for their card. The object of the game here is to get your card. Once you have your card in hand. READ IT. Pay special attention to your title. Use his name and shake his hand when you say goodbye.

Step Six: Once you’ve walked away from the conversation with your new friends, use the back of your cards to jot down notes about the conversation you just had with them. These notes will come in handy when it comes time to follow up.

Step Seven: Follow Up! By the end of the event, you should have collected several cards. If you asked good open-ended questions when you first met them, these interesting facts should be noted on the back of their card, and can refer to something that was said during the first time you met in the email you’re sending them. the next day. The content of the email should be very simple. Hello [insert name]It was a pleasure meeting you at the [insert the name of the event]. Close the email with your name, job [job title] you have or want to have, and any other contact information. If, during the course of the conversation, you promised to forward any information, please include it in this email.

With a little practice, anyone can master the seven steps outlined above in just a few minutes. After a networking session or two, you’ll look and feel like a pro. Keep smiling!

© Salvino 2008-10-10