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How do you best network while in job transition?
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NETWORKING
The Key to a Successful Job Search
McLean Bible Career Network Ministry
CNM meets every Tuesday night to provide support to job seekers
First hour is one on one time with a team of recruiters to review resumes, cover letters, elevator pitches, interview prep, etc
Outside speakers present on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays and we run Workshops the 2nd and 4th Tuesday.
No requirement to be a Church member and no cost to participants.
Networking – Big Picture
In a normal economy 60%+ of all jobs are obtained through networking
If you have an average resume that number quickly goes to 75%+
In a tough economy, where each job opening is attracting hundreds of resumes that percentage can go to 90%.
We do not want to play the Resume game – we want to play the Networking game…
What We Need Before We Network
Well written resume Analysis of your extended “personal”
network. Your marketing plan Refined elevator pitch Other tools
Well Written Resume
Limit to two pages. Insure best selling points are on page one.
Send to others to check format and spelling.
Insure to tailor for jobs that will focus on “key words”.
Avoid using boring job descriptions – highlight how you made a difference.
Analysis of Extended Personal Network
Try to target a list of 50 people. List should include relatives, friends of
relatives, neighbors, friends from school, professional or social organizations, people you have worked with, people in your religious congregation, former teachers and employers, people who provide services to you or your family, etc….
Most people find this step very hard…..
Marketing Plan
What jobs do I want to focus on (4-5 max)?
Why am I qualified to do each? What are my target companies – ranked
in priority if possible (10-20). These priority targets should get the
majority of my attention and I will do research to track and understand something about my target companies.
Elevator Pitch
In 30 seconds tell someone you meet: Who you are What you want How good you are Write it out…practice with friends… re-do
as needed. No one gets this right without tweaking
along the way.
Other Tools
Good quality business cards (you can get these for free)
Quality note cards for follow-up thank you
A neutral email address A professional message on your voice
mail A cleaned-up web presence
Time to Network
Mind set Build it early Linkedin as the social network tool of
choice Be bold Do your homework Follow-up
Mind Set
Establish clearly defined goals for your search. Hopefully the intersection of passion and ability.
Real networking requires us to give as much as we receive. Important for long term networking success.
Networking is hard work and takes most of us out of our comfort zones.
Build It Early
Let your network know your status, your interests and what you want to do and ask for their support.
Join professional networks, alumni networks and other networks that can add value.
Develop these relationships and add value back to them if possible – info that may help them, links to articles or websites, contacts with people who might be of value, etc.
Build it Early
Attend professional meetings and actively introduce yourself. Volunteer to help in order to both be helpful and increase your visibility.
Consider joining a job search group. Another great option is the Jobs Ministry in Falls Church (www.jobsministry.org).
Network everyday. Spend 30 minutes cultivating your relationships and growing your network.
Avoid spending too much time on the internet – there is no replacement for face to face meetings.
LinkedIn Tips
Establish an informative, professional profile.
Contact your network with a personalized request to connect.
Review the networks of your connections – as a way to expand your network.
Use people search Use company search Request references/recommendations
LinkedIn Tips
Include a picture Insure it is reflective of your elevator
pitch Use it to do research on jobs of interest Connect to connectors Consider joining other groups of interest Treat it as professional not social Use key words that recruiters might
search on for jobs of interest to you.
Be Bold
Set aggressive targets and monitor your weekly progress (use tracking sheet example).
Weak connections often prove to be valuable as they are connected to different networks.
Do not apologize for networking. Be appreciative of their time and assume you will add value back to them in the future.
Ask for introductions. Once the person understands your marketing plan he/she may be able to do some valuable introductions. (1=64)
Do Your Homework
Anticipate questions and be prepared with answers
Do some research on your connection and their background. If in Linkedin – connect before you meet.
Share fresh copies of your resume and marketing plans. Impress them and seek input on each portion of your overall plan.
Did anyone do homework today?
Follow-Up
Send an email outlining any commitments made in your meeting (whether in person, on the phone, or on-line) for follow-up.
Do whatever you committed to and promptly. It builds trust.
Send a personalized thank you in writing as often as possible. At a minimum by email. Track all meetings and names.
If someone else connected you – go back and inform them of status and thank them for intro.
Closing Thoughts
DC area remains one of the healthiest job markets in the US!
Government and government contractors are both great targets.
DC is the global headquarters for non-profits. They are being hurt by the economy but still hiring.
Technology not as strong as it once was but still very viable.
Closing Thoughts
If you have a limited track record you will have to connect more dots for employers. Do research on the company and the position and make it easy for them to see how your prior experience makes you a great fit. (i.e. camp counselor skills)
Network with all kinds of people the potential value is hard to predict and real value often comes from where you least expect it.
Closing Thoughts
At the early stages of your career consider what you can “learn” as important as what you can “earn”.
Consider volunteering to expand your network and work on new/expanded skills.
You have all the tools to be successful…. Best of luck and thanks for having me here today. Now – ask lots of questions…….
