NEW YEAR, NEW CAREER: THE POWER PLAN TO ACHIEVE CAREER SUCCESS IN 2006
Archives: Step 1 Step 2
 Step Three: Networking – The Core of Your Search
You’re now ready to take your job search “to the street” and begin networking with people who can help you reach the hiring managers inside your target companies. Networking can be done on the phone, in person, via email, or even over a cup of coffee or lunch.
Ford Myers, M.Ed., president of Career Potential, a Haverford, PA-based career consulting firm and developer
of the “New Year, New Career Power Plan to Achieving Career Success in 2006” states, “Networking is a lot simpler and less scary than many people think. You do not need to be a good ‘schmoozer’ to network effectively. In fact, the best networkers are often great listeners, much more so than great talkers.”
And no matter what, don’t let up on your networking efforts. Ninety-five percent of my clients land great jobs through their networks. It’s not worth risking those odds to NOT be continually networking! Remember: If you’re in career transition, networking IS your job. It should be the primary focus of everything you do. The quantity and quality of your networking time is directly related to the personal and professional (and financial!) satisfaction you’ll have in your next job.”
Here are the basic steps of the networking process:
Use your Contact List to focus on specific people to contact each week.
Build Rapport. State, “I was referred by _____, or “I was referred by our mutual your colleague/friend, who suggested that”….(Find some area of common interest to discuss). I’m contacting you about a career matter, but let me assure you that I am not calling to ask you for a job – nor do I expect you to even know of any job openings. Let me tell you a bit about myself and my professional background ….
State “where you’ve been” by using a Positioning Statement. Example: “I am a senior Financial and Operations professional and graduate of Western General’s Financial Management Program. I have more than 15 years of experience in the Manufacturing and Services industries. My strengths include analysis, problem-solving, communication and innovation. I have specific expertise in Financial Analysis and Reporting, Cash and Risk Management, and Productivity Analysis. I am seeking a leadership position with a focus on Financial Reporting.”
Share “What happened” with an Exit Statement. Example: “As a result of a merger between two business units, over 1,500 positions have been affected, including mine. I now have the opportunity to explore other career options in Financial Services that will leverage my proven strengths in analysis, problem-solving, communication and innovation.”
Ask for help. “Would you be willing to help me?”
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“Decompress” – take the pressure off – reassure them again that you are not asking for a job. “As I said, I am not asking you for a job, nor do I expect you to know of any appropriate positions. However, I am interested any advice or guidance that you could offer, in addition to any networking contacts you could provide. ___________ told me that you’d be a great person to talk to for this purpose. Would you be willing to review some of my credentials, and give me candid feedback? I could send the materials right over.”
Ask again for help, i.e., expanding contact network, guidance, advice, feedback. Leverage the notion of “Six degrees of separation” – ask for contacts from your contacts! Come from generosity (look for opportunities to offer something of value) and always be confident and purposeful.
Share your main documents, and set a time to get back to them. “I will e-mail (or fax) a one-page Professional Biography and list of Target Companies to you. Then I’d like to follow-up and have another conversation – when would be better for you, Wednesday afternoon or Friday morning? I know your input will be of great value, and I appreciate your willingness to help. ”Follow-up after your meeting and keep the conversation going with 2-way value exchange. Don’t love ‘em and leave ‘em. Grow your “stay-in-touch” network.
It’s a smart career move to always be networking, no matter what’s going on for you professionally. If you don’t need help at this time, build-up your networking power by helping others. in general, people want to help others. It makes them feel good about themselves, it boosts their self-esteem to be considered “a connector” of people with opportunities and information, and it makes them feel important.” Networking is a great investment in your future, and it will always pay big dividends!
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