Archive for the 'Social Networking' Category
Now that I have your attention, let me explain what I mean by “discriminatory.” I use the word in its older, traditional sense. As Dictionary.com explains, “3. the power of making fine distinctions; discriminating judgment: She chose the colors with great discrimination.”
Is this not a key component to networking? You physically cannot network with every other human on the planet, so you must have some criteria by which you judge the people with whom to network. This article will go through several different criteria and attempt to discern the best ones to use in your discriminatory networking.
Money
You could only network with people who have money (or at least the appearance of having money). The rationale for this factor appears to be that money = power. You want powerful people in your network, right? Sort-of.
There seem to be two problems with this idea. First, does money always link to the kind-of power with which you want to be associated. In other words, does money always equal positive power that aligns with your beliefs and ideals? I hope you realize that this question requires a prompt response of “NO.”
Also, what about people who don’t have money today, but might in the future? If you base your networking solely on money, you will not network with these up-and-coming people until they are already wealthy and have left you behind. At this point, lots of other people will seek them out for networking, and you might not be able to develop a relationship. Problem, right?
Job
Another criterion you could use is to network with people depending upon the current job they have. In theory, you would select people with jobs that are either similar to yours or might be beneficial to your career in the future.
This principle is more sound than money, but it still has some weaknesses. First, how do you determine which jobs qualify for your network? You have no idea what job market you might be in after 10 years. Also, you have no idea what kind-of services or different people with whom you will need to be connected down the road. Thus, it’s difficult to come up with your ideal list of job types to seek out when making network contacts.
Second, and similar to a criticism of the money factor, how do you foresee what jobs other people might have down the road? Today’s bus boy might be tomorrow’s CEO. If you don’t network with him while he’s a bus boy, you will have probably lost a great relationship.
Character
One of the fundamental critiques of the job and money criteria is their changing nature. Thus, networking distinctions require a more fundamental quality: character.
If you choose networking contacts based on a person’s character, your problems should be solved. You will most likely be drawn to people with character like yours (and they will be drawn toward you). Also, you will not have the problem of predicting what people will be earning or doing down the road.
If you trust your instinct, you will hopefully network with people today who take on important positions tomorrow. Regardless, you should at least make more valuable relationships. In many cases, a great friend (regardless his/her status in life) is better than a wealthy or powerful acquaintance.
When you are in the middle of a job search, it can be tempting to wait until employers call you. When you actually have a job, it is definitely easy to forget to keep in touch with your networking contacts. Both of these situations are perfect times when you need to keep in contact.
Potential Employers
Employers want to know that you’re interested in them. What better way to express this than by keeping in contact with them? This does not mean to continually bug them every day until they offer you a job, but you also don’t want to forget completely about them or just wait until they contact you.
You need to establish the proper amount of contact with potential employers. Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind:
- Remember that they are busy people. Don’t bog them down with contact, and don’t expect them to return your call or reply to an email in 10 minutes.
- Spread the contact out over time. Depending upon the timeline, you might give them 2-3 weeks before contacting them again.
- Be professional in all of your contact. Even though they haven’t replied to you in a month, you have no right to be rude.
- Vary your method of contact. If you initially sent your resume via email, try giving a follow-up call in 2-3 weeks. The email might not have gone through. Likewise, if you have left a couple voicemails, you should try an email or short note in the mail.
- Ask if you can provide any other information. This helps let them know that you aren’t Mr. Anxious, but that you really want to help them make a decision.
Remember: express your continued interest in the company and position. Don’t bug them to death, but don’t let them forget about you either.
Networking Contacts
A lot of the same advice for employers applies for networking contacts as well. You don’t want your networking contacts to forget you exist, and you also want them to know that you are thinking of them from time to time. When that perfect opportunity comes along, you want them to send it your way and you want them to know that you will do the same.
Your timeframe for contacting these people should be much more elongated than potential employers. The right timeframe obviously depends upon you and the networking contact, but something like 2-3 months might be appropriate.
Here is where you should definitely vary the method of your contact as well. Simple, hand-written notes go a long way toward impressing someone. Also, never forget the power and importance of a thank you note.
The content of your contact should differ from the things you send to employers. With networking contacts, you should try to think of things in which they might be interested. Perhaps you came across a book that is right up someone’s alley; send him a short email with a link. Maybe you heard of an upcoming conference that could help their business out; mail a flyer with a kind note. You definitely do not want to have an arrogant tone, but you should try to send helpful and useful ideas to your networking contacts, along with the traditional “just keeping in touch” contact.
Keep in contact with potential employers and networking contacts. Your career will thank you.
It’s never time to stop your professional networking, especially around the holidays. In fact, this time of year presents two great opportunities to build your network and keep in touch with contacts.
Hob Nob Over Egg Nog
You are most likely invited to numerous holiday parties. With friends and family to see, you will have your share of events to attend during the holiday season. Instead of dreading these gatherings, you should see them as an invitation to meet new people.
Sure, a lot of the parties will be the same people you have seen time and again. However, you will likely see some new faces as well. This is your key opportunity.
Networking in this context isn’t really different from any other gathering, but you do not want to shove your business card in everyone’s face. In fact, at holiday parties you should be a little more reserved and conservative in your contact. People are there to have fun and celebrate the holidays, not gather business cards.
A good method to use at these gatherings might be to only offer your card if asked. You do not have to be shy about mentioning your profession, or the value you could provide to someone’s business, but you don’t want to look like a business card troll.
Finally, keep in mind the value of people you meet at these parties, and conduct yourself accordingly. In other words, act in a kind and professional manner. Don’t get drunk and wear the lampshade on your head while dancing on the table.
Send Holiday Cards
The second way to utilize the holidays for networking is to send holiday cards to your networking contacts.
The same caveats for parties apply to the holiday card situation. You must remain professional. You also do not want to send an overtly business-type holiday card.
Basically, you should come up with a list of people to whom you want to send cards. These could be your more important contacts and/or people with whom you are out of touch. Send as few or as many cards as you would like.
Importantly, be sure to tailor your cards to the religious beliefs of each recipient or just send a generic “holiday” card. You want to reconnect with people, not offend them.
The message for your cards should be sincere. Hopefully you will have a list that enables a personal message in each card. Try to show real interest in the recipient’s life and things that are meaningful to him/her.
If you use these tips carefully, you should find the holidays productive for networking. Just use your discretion and respect that it is the holiday season.
If you bump into someone, and they ask you what you do, what do you say? Are you ever at a loss for words when you meet someone at a convention or social gathering? If so, you need to develop a personal snapshot.
Perhaps you have heard of a “15 second pitch” or “elevator pitch.” This is precisely what I mean by your “personal snapshot.”
What is it?
As the term suggests, your snapshot will be about you. Actually, that’s all it is. It is a snapshot of what you do. You need to be able to provide this key information in roughly 15 seconds.
Before continuing, please remember that your snapshot should be personal. You don’t want to be generic, saying something like “I’m a lawyer.” You want to be different, interesting, and yourself.
Continue reading ‘Develop a Personal Snapshot’
