For many of us, the most challenging parts of the networking conversation are getting it started and steering it through the middle. If you’ve gotten it this far, the end should be easy! But beware; you don’t want to drop the ball at this point, because the end of the conversation is actually the beginning of the networking relationship. It’s important you end strong, and with the promise of ongoing connection. Read More
Video Friday: Getting “Found” Online
In today’s video we explain how to use social media and the web to boost your online presence. Having a strong online presence increases your chances of being found by a recruiter or company. Read More
Recognizing Unique Networking Opportunities
Are you taking advantage of networking opportunities in your everyday life? You encounter these opportunities often but may miss them because they are not strictly job related. Any community where you have built a reputation is an opportunity to network – don’t let your best networking opportunities get away from you because haven’t recognized them as such. Read More
Surefire Ways to Ruin a Networking Conversation
You’ve identified a great networking contact and set up a conversation. Whether at a networking event, a networking meeting, or a chance encounter, this is your big opportunity. Don’t blow it with these networking blunders:
Dull opening. Beginning a conversation with “How is it going?” is hardly compelling. Instead be prepared with a strong opening line that shows you have a clear purpose for the meeting and begins the conversation. Examples of interesting opening lines are, “You have a fascinating background and I would love to hear more about your career path,” or, “I’m very interested in the work you are doing and the skill set required.” At networking events you might try, “What brings you to this event?”
Using Conversation Marketing When Networking
Today I’d like to share about an internet marketing strategy for businesses, called Conversation Marketing, and saw how it can also help job seekers with their job hunt.
I attended a talk by Ian Lurie, President of Portent Interactive, discussing SEO (Search Engine Optimization) for online content producers. Portent Interactive is a Seattle-based Internet Marketing and SEO company, helping businesses practice intelligent internet marketing. Read More
The Cast of Characters at Networking Events
Networking events are a great way to meet new people, build connections and share your brand. As you do so, you are sure to run into many wonderful people. Unfortunately, you may also meet a few who have not learned the art of good manners and etiquette while networking. Here is a cast of characters you will want to avoid.
Networking for Introverts
If the idea of walking into a room full of people and talking to any of them makes you want to crawl back into bed for a week, this blog is for you. The advice is coming from someone like you (me). Many people (extroverts) say that to be successful in business or with your career, you have to suck in your entire personality and just “become an extrovert” for the ten, fifteen, or fifty minutes it takes to do some successful networking. They are, of course, incorrect. Introverts just need to prepare in their own way. Read More
Crazy Ways Job Seekers Network
What’s the weirdest place you’ve ever networked? A recent blog on how to network anytime generated some great stories from people who found unusual ways to connect with others. Read More
How to Network Wherever You Go
My friend Dee and I were snowshoeing a few weeks ago, when we ran into a man with an infant in a baby back pack and a dog at his side. We stopped to chat, admiring him for snowshoeing alone with his little one, asking how the baby liked the ride on daddy’s snowshoes. Dad mentioned that he snowshoes often to clear his head and solve creative problems for his web services business. Dee asked about the business then mentioned she has a friend looking for web services. Before you knew it, Read More
Building a Powerful Network
What makes a good network? Is it a small and select group that we have strong bonds with, or a huge group of hundreds of people we barely know/contact with?
Few other people can better give us insights into professional networking than Reid Hoffman, the founder of LinkedIn. We read in Fortune/CNNMonday a rather long piece of an excerpt of the book, The Startup of You, by Reid Hoffman. We wanted to share a quick summary with you of what we learned from this great article. Read More