Using Mind Maps and Networkingin Career Planning

OR:

“How to make effective use of your brain and the people around you to discover

your ideal job and then get it!”

Jonathan Wolff

Careers AdviserLoughborough University

What I intend to cover:• Brief introduction to Mind Mapping

– Purpose and concept– General applications (e.g. study skills)

• Applications of Mind Mapping to career research/planning

• Applying Mind Mapping to developing a network of contacts– A practical exercise

• Developing a networking strategy– Emphasis on networking as a two-way process– Networking DOs and DONT’s

• Resources on Mind Mapping & networking

Mind Mapping

• Dynamic method of recording information & ideas

• Developed by psychologist Tony Buzan - early 1970s

• Mirrors the brain’s processes

• Makes more efficient use of the brain than normal linear methods of taking notes and recording ideas

Mind Mapping Personal experience of its value

Over last 30+ yrs it’s helped me, amongst other things, to:• Overcome very slow hand-writing in taking notes

• Improve revision leading to better exam results • Plan strategy as head of a university department

• Plan successful bids for five government funded projects

• Succeed in ALL my applications/interviews over last 20 years

• Learn long speeches from Shakespeare

Developing a Mind Map – The four essential characteristics:

• The main topic is summarised as a central image, word or phrase

• The main themes radiate from the central image as branches

• Branches comprise of a key word, image or topic presented on an associated line - they divide out into further higher level sub branches

• Branches and sub-branches form a connected structure.

A Mind Map makes use of:

• Colour - used to differentiate areas of the Mind Map

• Visual images - used to illustrate different themes/topics - Small images can capture complex memories/feelings - These aid the process of memory and recall

Advantages of Mind Maps over linear methods in recording information/ideas:• A large number of complex ideas can be compressed into a single page

• They are created in an organic and flexible way - Links can be drawn between any items or sections - New ideas can be added in any direction – this makes them good for brainstorming

• They mirror the way in which the brain works - They can incorporate: colour/visual images/compressed ideasSO - They are easier to memorise/recall than a linear list - They give very personal access to feelings/thoughts/memories

VERY MANY Applications to learning & planning, including:

• Note taking in lectures etc.

• Planning assignments & presentations - Proven technique for dyslexics - Mind Mapping software will turn mind maps into structured, linear, Word and PowerPoint documents

• Putting together exam revision notes

• Group brainstorming & strategic planning tasks

• Linking to other creative techniques - Memorising notes, speeches etc.

Applying Mind Maps to career planning and job hunting

• They provide an excellent way of organising your ideas about yourself on paper

• This can be useful at all stages of the career planning or job hunting process.

Using Mind Maps for career planning & research

MANY APPLICATIONS, E.G.:

• Creating a picture of your knowledge of yourself - The starting point for understanding what careers will suit you

• Brainstorming career ideas & how you’ll research them

• Mapping out contacts who can help you (more later!)

• Writing action plans

Using Mind Maps for job hunting1. Written Applications

• Brainstorming evidence of your competencies, when preparing your CVs and Application Forms

• Planning the content of a covering Letter or section of an Application Form

• Mapping out the structure of a CV - Mind mapping software enables you to turn mind maps into structured Word documents

Using Mind Maps for job hunting2. Interview Preparation

• Mapping out an interview presentation • Preparing an overall picture of yourself related to the job - Skills, interests, experience etc.

• Preparing answers to specific interview questions e.g.: - What can you offer to this job? - Why are you applying this job?

Memorising Mind Maps will make it easier to recall information/answers in the interview

Using Mind Maps for networking

• Brainstorming lists of potential networks and contacts you can use for researching options

• Planning a networking strategy

• Preparing for networking interviews

• Mapping networking outcomes

• It is the most effective way of getting realistic information & advice about career opportunities and jobs

• Networking referrals will typically generate 80% more replies than a cold call

• Every person you meet has 200 – 250 people with whom they connect who can potentially assist you

• Anyone that you might want to meet or contact in the world, is only five to six people contacts away from you

• 70 – 80 % of all jobs are found through networking

• If we become good at it, this will enable us to be effective in every aspect of our lives (e.g. employment, leisure activities, supporting family)

HOWEVER, STATISTICS SHOW: “Only one in ten people is actually comfortable in striking up a relationship with a complete stranger”

Benefits of career networking

Identifying contacts• If you want to develop new contacts, think of all the networks you have belonged to:

– Your extended family

– The schools, colleges, universities you have attended

– Clubs, societies, organisations you have been a member of

– Places that you have worked

– Your partner’s or children's networks of friends

– Other Networks?

• All the above could give access to many contacts– Some will have formal networks

– All individual contacts will have many contacts of their own

Mind mapping exercise

• Think of at least two career areas you want to research

• Produce a mind-map like the example in 10 minutes: – It will be rough, without colours or diagrams – Aim is to get 25 contacts/organisations you could follow up– Note: people in non-graduate jobs can have many contacts (e.g. the hairdresser in the example mind map)– Prize to 1st group of four with 100 contacts between them!

• In the next few weeks – develop a proper mind map

• “A power that comes from a spirit of giving and sharing”

• “An organised way of creating links from people we know to people they know for a specific purpose”

• “Giving, contributing to and supporting others without keeping score”

• “Fostering self-help and the exchange of information”

• “Ensuring the right to ask a favour without hooks”

Networking definitions (Jon Warner)– these all Focus on building relationships

Using contacts in everyday life

• Are you good at networking and using contacts?

• You have probably used networking already in:– Choosing and finding jobs and courses– Carrying out your work effectively– Finding a plumber, electrician etc.– Planning social activities for yourself and/or family – Making expensive purchases: car/computer/holiday etc.

• If you’ve done any of the above –– You’ll be able to get advice on planning a career

• Likes to do most things by him/herself

• Doesn’t want to bother or worry other people

• Feels his/her knowledge and skills are often superior to most people

• Only asks for help as a last resort (and when it may be too late

• Networking consequences for people of this type:- Unable to benefit from Networking at all!

Four networking types (Warner)1. Loner

• Tries to make a friend of everyone she/he meets

• Tends to know people’s names/faces but not what they do

• Is not normally systematic or ordered about follow-up – contact is random

• May not listen too deeply and is quick to move on

• Networking consequences for people of this type:- Knows little of substance about personal skills and resources so is Unable to share skills

- Networking is random, following little or no formal contact system

Four networking types (Warner)2. Socialiser

• Is likely to collect business cards without really connecting with people

• Tries to make ‘sales’ or ‘pitches’ on the first encounter

• Talks and focuses on own agenda rather than to gather information

• Has superficial interactions

• Keeps score when giving favours

• Networking consequences for people of this type:- Creates little benefit for themselves or others

- Creates a bad impression – gives networking a bad name!

Four networking types (Warner)3. User

• Has a giving disposition or abundance mentality

• Is generally happy to ask others for help or guidance

• Listens and learns about people carefully

• Is regularly on the look-out for useful information from which others can also benefit

• Has a well ordered and organised networking system

• Networking consequences for people of this type:- Takes a long-term perspective on relationships with others; thinks more about what he/she can give or offer than about the return

- Is someone whom others really want to network with!

Four networking types (Warner)4. Builder

• LONER fears looking too pushy or too weak

• SOCIALISER fears rejection

• USER is selfish; fears having too much obligation to others

All these fears must be lessened or overcome if networking is to be effective• BUILDER has good self esteem without being overconfident

Maintaining self esteem - Overcoming the fear of networking

Possible networking outcomesKey areas that contacts can help you with:

A: Self Reflection & Awareness

B: Action Planning

C: Acquisition of Knowledge & Understanding About Career & Training Opportunities

D: Experience & Observation of Work Activities

E: Increasing Access to Contacts, Networks & Information Sources

F: Development of Skills & Abilities

For a detailed list of possible outcomes see: http://www-staff.lboro.ac.uk/~adjjw/N4networkingoutcomes.doc

Networking DO’S (Warner)

Ask others for help Be friendly, warm and sincere Be persistent in following up and following through Focus carefully on learning people’s names Be helpful to others even if there is no immediate or direct benefit to you Stay in touch regularly and systematically Always carry calling cards Get known as being well-connected (and a valuable resource for others) Sit next to strangers at events (not alone or with people you know) Keep networking even when you think you can stop

Networking DON’TS (Warner)

Don’t be impatient. Results and benefits can come when you least expect them and often take time Don’t lose sight of your ultimate goal or objective Don’t expect too much of others Don’t have hidden agendas (not being up-front and straightforward with others) Don’t be insensitive to value, belief & culture differences Don’t fail to follow through when you are given leads Don’t contact people only when you need something Don’t go for quantity over quality in your relationships Don’t try to do too much and spread yourself too thinly Don’t try to network in a way that doesn’t fit your style

Planning an effective networking programme

• Be aware both of what your contacts could do for you and also what you could do for them

• Ask contacts for “help and advice”- Never, initially, “can you get me a job/placement?”

• Set yourself objectives before you start networking - Review these at the end of each meeting

• Prepare for each networking meeting & reflect afterwards on the outcomes - Research your contact and their organisation - Prepare a detailed list of questions - Keep notes of suggested action points

Networking resourcesLoughborough Careers Centre guide: “Networking - the art of using contacts”

• Download this guide from http://www-staff.lboro.ac.uk/~adjjw/N1networking.doc

• Explains the mechanics of: 1. How networking works2. How to create a list of contacts 3. How to make effective use of those contacts

• This guide is supported by a range of associated exercises and support materials - Electronic version provides hyperlinks to all support materials (many of these developed at Brunel– Proactive Mentoring project, 2002 )

Books by Tony Buzan held in the Brunel library: (several copies of most + videos)

“Use your head : Innovative Learning and Thinking Techniques to fulfil your potential”

“Master your memory : more inspiring ways to increase the power of your memory, focus and creativity”

“Use your memory” “The mind map book”

Tony Buzan’s Mind-Mapping website: http://www.mind-mapping.co.uk/

Mind Mapping software: Inspiration available on Brunel Intranet, accessible to all students

and staff – provided by the Disability and Dyslexia Service

Mind Mapping resources

And finally:

An online link to this presentation is available at:http://www-staff.lboro.ac.uk/~adjjw/brunelmindmapnetworking.ppt

Any questions?