Retirement Reflections

After more than 14 years in the Graduate Career Center at Northeaster helping others with next steps in their careers, I have taken a significant step of my own.  I retired.  It is hard to give up a job I love, working with outstanding students, alumni, employers, faculty and staff but it is time for the next chapter.  When this decision was made months ago I never anticipated spending my final months of work quarantined at home but these are challenging times.  It just serves to remind me that the best laid plans can be easily disrupted and that happens often in life and in business.  To survive and thrive we all have to build resilience and the ability to adapt and change.

Change has been a central theme in my career.  When I started out in accounting I never could have imagined managing a graduate career center but when the opportunity arose there is nothing I could have loved more than this amazing role at the end of my career.  Every step along the way prepared me to be in this very special place at this time.  I am grateful for the many lives I touched and hope they know how much I learned from them and how much they enriched my life.

As someone who started with a paper route at age 12 and advanced to waitress at 14 with my school work permit, I’ve been working for a long time and have observed a wide range of successes over the years.  Retirement offers the perfect opportunity to reflect.  Instead of focusing on me, I wanted to use my reflection to share advice to those early in their careers while you have time to make a difference.

You have worked hard to complete your education and are now embarking on your career with the highest of expectations fueled by energy, enthusiasm and passion.  From someone who has already traveled that path and has watched countless others along the way, here are some key things to consider and the earlier you learn them the more successful you can be.

• Performance Matters – In real life, not everyone gets a trophy. Promotions don’t come just because you think you are ready and deserving.  The best thing you can do to advance your career is to perform well in the job you currently have.  Always do your very best and anticipate the next steps before you are asked.  Deliver beyond expectations.  Ensure that your work is always accurate and timely.  Become the “go to” person they can count on to get things done.  Interesting projects and assignments will come your way once you have established that reputation and the advancement opportunities will follow.  Regardless of what your current responsibilities include, do you very best is all aspects of the job to earn those more exciting projects.  This worked well for me and I consistently see it working well for others.  Don’t wait to learn this on your own.  Strive for excellence from day one in your career.
• The Path is Not Always Straight – Life and business are complicated and not everything can be anticipated so the road is often filled with curves, detours and disruptions. The next best step for your career may not always be up.  Consider lateral moves that will expand your experience and marketability.  Look for opportunities where you can gain valuable learning and experience.  Consider a different industry or a different department within the same company.  Broader knowledge can be a valuable asset as you advance in your career.  Don’t be so focused on the next step up the ladder that you miss exciting opportunities along the way.
• Patience is a Virtue – As the employee you do not control the timeline of your career advancement so you need to learn to be patient. You do not get promoted because you have been in the position for two years.  You get promoted because you have done outstanding work, you have taken on significantly more responsibility and there is a business need and justification.  Instead of using your energy worrying about why you haven’t been promoted yet, invest that energy in improving your skills and by demonstrating your value to the organization while still in your current job.
• Learning and Growth Come More Quickly from Challenging Times – It is so easy to assume that it is a perfect time to move to a new company when sales are down, budgets are tight, there is management turnover or even a merger or acquisition. Often you learn more and gain significantly more experience in challenging times than you do when everything is going smoothly.  Sometimes sticking it out helps you demonstrate your skills and that is rewarded in the long run.  Worst case you gain experience working and maybe even managing during difficult times.  This experience can significantly differentiate you from the competition for future opportunities.  Anyone can deliver results when things are running smoothly but doing so under challenging conditions can ultimately make you shine.
• Trust Your Gut – With experience we all learn to pay more attention to our gut feelings but the earlier you can do that in your career, the better. Hone your instincts for people and situations and then trust those instincts.  If you leave the interview with a funny feeling, chances are this is not the right fit for you – whether it is the people you would be working with or the job itself.  Your inner self is picking up on many cues during the process.  It may be hard to put your finger on exactly what didn’t feel right but in most instances, your gut feelings are telling you something important.  Trusting your gut can save you from making serious career mistakes.
• It is Your Career Not Someone Else’s — Throughout your career, well-meaning friends and family members will shower you with advice on what to do or what not to do.  Their intentions are good and sometimes they have valuable insights, but, at the end of the day, it is your career.  Be mindful of your goals, have a plan to achieve them but be flexible enough to adapt to the opportunities that come your way.  No one knows what is best for you but you.
• Own Your Work – It is easy to own your work when things are going well but if you can develop the integrity and fortitude early on to own your mistakes you will advance further and faster in your career. Avoid finger pointing, it is wasted energy.  Admit that you made a mistake, learn from it, correct it and never make the same mistake again.  Humans are likely to make mistakes somewhere along the line but if you own it and learn from it you set yourself apart from the multitudes and you clearly demonstrate your integrity and work ethic.
• Be The Person They Want to Work With – This does not mean that your boss and your co-workers should be the center of your social universe but work is so much more enjoyable and rewarding if you get along. Do not participate in the office gossip mill and certainly do not spread gossip.  Remember people’s birthdays.  Ask about their weekend, their vacation or their kids.  Be interested and interesting.  You spend a lot of hours at work and it so much more enjoyable for everyone when people enjoy working with you.  Also build a reputation as the person who gets things done and interesting projects will flow your way.
• Success Doesn’t Have a Title – Your success is defined by you not others. It does not carry a specific title.  You do not have to become CEO to be successful and many with that title are not successful by many measures.  Consider success this way instead:  Are you doing work you enjoy?  Are you making a difference?  Are you still learning?  If you answer yes to at least two of those three questions, you are a success.  Don’t put undue pressure on yourself to be something you are not.  Do what you love and do it well.

I have worked with amazing people over the years and have learned so much from each one of them.  I’ve been blessed with work I love and people I admire and respect.  I hope that by reflecting on what I’ve learned along the way, I can assist others in being successful by their own definitions in their careers.

Don’t Quarantine Your Job Search

In these extraordinary times of COVID 19 with employees working from home, schools closed, students studying on line and most non-essential businesses closed, it is easy to assume that it is also time to put the job search on quarantine as well.  In reality, that is the worst thing you could do right now.

Companies are Hiring

While some industries are suffering significant business losses during this time, there are many companies who are still hiring and some need significant levels of new hires.  While it is obvious that there is hiring in the healthcare and related industries, there are many other industries hiring as well.  There are daily updates on the internet of companies who are still hiring.  Watch the websites of your target companies to see who is hiring.  Some of these companies have very specific needs and you may have exactly the skills they are seeking.  Don’t miss out on amazing opportunities just because these are extraordinary times.

Preparation is Key

As you would for any journey you need to prepare.  Dust off your resume, update it with your most recent accomplishments.  Be sure to include key words that are relevant to the next role you are seeking.  Have someone proof it for you to ensure it does not have any errors.  Review for LinkedIn profile to be sure it is ready to go.  Make it easy for employers to find you.  Are you joining appropriate alumni or other groups to ensure that you can expand your connections?  As you advance in the process, fine tune your cover letter writing skills and practice your interview skills.  Be sure you have stories prepared to answer behavioral questions.  Take advantage of this time to ensure that you are well prepared for success in your job search.

Have a Plan

Many are feeling less control in their lives during this very disruptive time.  None of our routines are normal these days.  Your job search is one area of your life where you can take some control.  Think about what type of work you hope to do, where you are willing to commute or relocate and what companies you would love to join.  Research your target companies.  What types of roles to they hire for that leverage your skills?  Build a plan for researching your target companies and identifying contacts in those organizations.  Set goals for the number of informational interview networking calls you will make each week.  Build a plan and hold yourself accountable.  It increases your sense of control. 

Networking is Key

Networking is critical to your success in the job search and this is a great time to be networking.  Many people have a bit more flexibility in their schedules now and an increased willingness to help others.  Use LinkedIn to identify contacts in your target companies.  Reach out to set up informational interviews.  You are not asking for a job – you are seeking information.  Learn as much as you can about the company, the hiring process, the role you are interested in and the skills required for success.  Build a relationship that can help you later in the process when the perfect job does post.   A hiring manager typically pays far more attention to resumes forwarded from a trusted colleague than to the mountain that arrive online.  Build connections across your target list.

Technology Brings Flexibility

Companies are still hiring they are just relying on technology for interviews and other aspects of the hiring process. Technology brings flexibility to the process.  Be a flexible job seeker and demonstrate your technology skills by engaging in whatever way the company prefers.

Be Prepared for Brighter Days 

Many companies are hiring now and others will be hiring when businesses start re-opening and getting back to business.  Make yourself known now while hiring managers may be able to pay more attention.  Build your networking connections now so that you are ahead of the curve when business opens back up.  Do not take your foot off the gas pedal now, keep focused and moving your search forward to ensure your success.

Success on the Job Starts Day 1 – Virtually

Congratulations!  You’ve landed a new job.  But in this world of social distancing and work from home, you have to start virtually!  How do you do that and still make a positive first impression?

Starting a new job is the perfect time to make a good impression.  You want the employer to be confident that they made the right decision in hiring you for the position.  The first hundred days in a new job can be one of the most critical times of your career.  In a virtual work environment where you are not with your colleagues in the same office, there are additional challenges.  Here are some recommendations based on feedback from our employers.

• Be Proactive – Show them you are engaged and committed before your first day of work. Reach out to your HR contact and hiring manager to let them know you are excited to be joining the company and ask how the virtual start will be handled.  Will equipment be shipped to your home?  What training is available for their unique applications?  How do you get access to company email?  What standing meetings should you put on the calendar?  What “homework” can you be doing in advance to be well-prepared for day one?
• Manage Expectations – Try to schedule time on your first day with your manager and/or HR in advance. Discuss what the expectations are and how you will be measured for the first few months.  Will you have weekly meetings with your manager?  How will you meet other members of the team?  How does your manager prefer to communicate?  Starting out with shared expectations and open communications increases success.
• Show Respect – Honor the culture of the organization you have joined and respect those in authority as well as your peers.  Learn what they do and how they do it before trying to change things. Listen to why things are the way they are.  Earn their respect before you start presenting opportunities for improvement.   Initially you should be spending more time listening than speaking. 
• Open Communications – Identify your supervisor’s communications style and preferences and work to accommodate that style.  Also identify the style and preferences for your colleagues.  Discuss any concerns you have with your manager.  Provide your supervisor with progress reports.  Avoid surprises – such as a project not completed on deadline.  Let them know in advance if there are issues.  Keep your manager advised of any concerns that could impact results and deadlines.  Set the pattern for open, frequent communications early.  Ask for feedback regularly so you can fine tune your performance to ensure you are meeting or exceeding expectations.
• Ask Questions – Do not make assumptions.  You are learning the company and the role.  Ask questions to be sure you understand.  Clarify requests to be sure you understand what you are being asked to do.  Inquire how your work supports the department’s goals and the company’s objectives.  It is not a sign of weakness to ask questions.  Don’t waste time and energy doing the wrong things because you didn’t ask.
• Take Notes – Take notes so you don’t ask the same question again.  Review your notes and apply what you have learned when faced with similar tasks or issues.  Keep a record of your accomplishments – details of projects competed and impact on the organization, skills you developed or enhanced, knowledge you gained.  They know you are new and you will need to ask questions as part of the learning process but they will quickly grow frustrated if you keep asking the same questions.
• Be Fully Engaged – If possible ask what you can do prior to your start date to learn more about the company, the team and the position.  Do your homework researching the company, competitors, industry etc.  Demonstrate your energy and enthusiasm.  Remain positive.  Show you are hungry for a challenge.  Pay attention to both quality and timeliness of your work.  Look for ways to exceed expectations.
• Identify Solutions not Problems – When you encounter problems, try to find possible solutions.  Identify unmet business needs and ways you can help meet them.  When identifying a problem, always offer at least one reasonable solution.
• Listen – Learn as much as you can by listening to others as they talk about the industry, the company and the department.  Listen carefully to instructions for assignments and clarify as needed.  Pay attention to deadlines, guidelines, and procedures.  Always ask for feedback and think about how you can apply what you learned going forward.  Seek continuous improvement.
• Earn the Challenging Assignments – Employers don’t give the most challenging project to the rookie in most cases.  Demonstrate with your early assignments that they can count on you to deliver high quality and timely work and you will begin to earn more challenging assignments.
• Show initiative – Look for ways to exceed expectations.  Identify unmet business needs and determine ways you can help.  Offer to assist a busy colleague with a big project.  Volunteer for a project that needs a home.
• Be Flexible and Adaptable – Accept all assignments cheerfully and give every assignment your best effort.  Be open minded about new ideas, new procedures and different work.  Anticipate change and embrace it.
• Curiosity – Ask open ended questions to demonstrate your interest.  Offer ideas and suggestions for possible improvements.  Seek opportunities to learn more about the company and the industry.
• Leverage Connection Opportunities – Many organizations are organizing virtual teams for a variety of work and social affinity groups. Stay focused on your priorities but as time allows engage in appropriate virtual events to meet colleagues and better understand the organization.
• Take Advantage of Online Training – Ask early what online training is available so you can take full advantage of the options. It is a great way to fill some initial down time and you may not have the luxury later when you are busier.  Learn as much as you can while you have the opportunity to support your future success.

The manager hired you instead of all the other candidates because he/she believed you could make a difference on their team.  Show them from day one that they made the right decision.  Your flexibility in a virtual start will demonstrate your resiliency and prepare you well for future success.

Why Networking Matters

Now more than ever networking is critical to the success of your job search.  Most HR professionals and their hiring managers are working virtually.  Schools and businesses are closed disrupting our personal and work lives.  The health and safety of our loved ones is top priority.  But you may still need to find a job.

What is a job seeker to do?  Network!  It is more critical than ever that if you hope to land that next position, you need to be networking.  While initially networking is a valuable source of information, you can build a network of supporters who can transform your job search.  Supporters can forward your resume to the hiring manager to increase the likelihood it will at least be reviewed.  Supporters can offer a recommendation which is valuable to the hiring manager.  Supporters can provide insights on the hiring process at the company, the particular position and the team.

While social distancing is the new normal, this a great time for networking.  Either using video tools or by phone, this is a great time to connect and build a network to help you learn more about the companies on your target list and to help them get to know you and the talent you could bring to their organization.  Set yourself weekly networking goals and hold yourself accountable.  In a time that many parts of life are feeling out of control, focus on something you can control – achieving your networking goals to support your job search.

General rule of thumb for a successful job search, spend ten times more time networking than sitting behind your computer.  It is the single most important thing you can to ensure a successful job search.

Building Your Target List

To determine how to get to the next step in your career, you need an idea of where you are going.  I often advise job seekers to build and prioritize a target list of companies where you want to work.  This should in no way be limited to companies that you know personally or those you drive by each day.  Where do you turn to help build your target list?

LinkedIn – Review your connections on LinkedIn to see where people you admire and respect are working.  Look in your LinkedIn groups as well to see where fellow alumni or previous co-workers are now working.  Make note of the companies that interest you.  A first step in your research will be talking to your connections about their experiences at those companies.

Lists –Fortune and other magazines prepare multiple lists of the course of the year on leading companies by revenue, number of employees, work-life balance, etc.  These may trigger your thinking but unless you are prepared to relocate other parts of the country or the world, these lists may be more frustration than assistance.  Consider more local lists.  Boston Business Journal includes lists in each weekly edition with an annual Book of Lists.  Find the local lists for the area where you hope to work.  You can look by industry, by size, etc. to identify companies of interest to you.  Look online as well.  Databases such as Hoovers allow to search with a radius of major cities by industry, size, etc.  Keep an open mind.  Many of the fastest growing companies are small to mid-sized firms that you may not be aware of today.

Competitors – As you start identifying companies of interest, do a little research and consider their competitors.  They are in the same industry and may be a good fit for you as well.

Professional Associations – If you are clearly focused on a particular industry or business function, identify relevant professional associations.  Attend meetings and see where other members work.  Listen to how they talk about their work and the companies they work for to see if there is something of interest to you.

Social Networking – Do not overlook families and friends.  They may work at interesting companies or may know people at companies in which you have interest.  At social events, ask about what someone does for work and for what company.  You can always set up a networking meeting later, but start to build a web of connections.

As you start building you list, review it on a regular basis to keep it fresh.  You will learn more about companies as you network and some companies will move on or off your list.  You then want to prioritize your list to help focus your networking.  Consider companies that interest and excite you the most.  Do you have contacts at those companies or someone who can introduce you to contacts at those companies?  Has the company posted positions in your area of interest in the last few months?  When you use this prioritized list to guide your networking, you are building valuable insider connections in the companies where you hope to work.

Networking Tips for Reluctant Networkers

I’m often asked if networking is really necessary in the job search.  The answer is “only if you hope to be successful.”  Networking is the reality of the current job market.  It is rare that sitting behind your computer sending multiple online applications per day yields the desired results.  Networking is a critical component of a successful job search.

What if the job seeker is shy or uncomfortable with networking?  Here are some tips to ease reluctant networkers into a successful process.

Start with Low Hanging Fruit – Do not start with a cold call to a senior level contact at your dream company.  That is much too stressful and could cause a shy person to swear off networking for life.  Think about your circle of friends and family.  Do any of them work at companies that interest you?  Who do they know that they could introduce you to?  What about former work colleagues who have moved on to new companies?  What about colleagues from school?  Starting with people you know enables you to build your confidence and skills as you conduct information interviews.  With each interview you are learning about different companies, roles and career paths while you hone your technique and build your skills.  Remember to ask each contact who else you should be talking to given your specific goals and interests.

Be realistic – While it is important to put your best foot forward, you are not interviewing for your dream job.  Be prepared to gather information and learn while you share your story.  You are not asking for a job, you are asking for information.  Most people enjoy talking about what they do so be a good listener and ask probing questions to gain the insights you desire.

Attend Events with a Buddy – Walking in a room full of people networking can be a bit intimidating.  Consider attending professional association meetings and events or alumni networking events with a buddy.  Encourage each other to make new connections and have relevant conversations.  Do not spend the evening talking to each other.  See how many people you can meet and collect cards for follow-up.

Prepare for Success – Being prepared for your information interviews will enable you to be more confident.  Research the company website in advance.  Identify questions you hope to ask prior to your meeting.  Preparation enables you to have a more meaningful discussion, helps you make a positive, professional impression and helps you reap more value from the meeting.

Build a Plan – Just talking about networking doesn’t make it happen and provides no results.  Define a plan and hold yourself accountable.  Start with an achievable goal – maybe one informational interview per week.  After a few weeks of achieving that, push to goal to two and keep moving.  Track your progress and reward yourself for meeting your goals.

Celebrate Success – After a successful informational interview with a networking contact, take a few minutes to reflect on what you learned.  Capture some key notes for future reference.  Think about what you did well.  If there was an awkward moment, think what you could do differently next time.  Reflect and learn from the experience.  Send a thank you note to your contact to show them you valued their time and insight.  Take a walk or do something you enjoy to celebrate your successful meeting and your achievement of your goal.

Networking Tips for Success

 

Networking Tip #5

Ten Tips for a Successful Networking Meeting

Networking is the most critical thing you can to in your job search.  It is important to maximize the benefit of each networking meeting.  Here are some tips for success.

1. Be prepared. Prior to the meeting research the company and the contact.  Have insightful questions prepared prior to your meeting.  Preparation demonstrates interest as well as your work ethic.
2. The day before your meeting call to confirm the time and location of the meeting.  Ensure that you know exactly where you are going and allow adequate time to arrive about ten minutes prior to your appointment.
3. Networking Profile. Bring a couple copies of your networking profile.  This can make it easy for your contact to identify opportunities to assist you in your search.  Do not bring resumes.  You can always send one as follow-up if it is requested.
4. Business Attire. Dress as if the meeting was an interview.  Demonstrate that you are a business professional and that you are taking this opportunity seriously.
5. Anticipate Logistics. Be sure you have a photo ID available in case it is required by building security.  Have your business cards accessible.  Bring a small notebook or padfolio with pen so you can take notes.  You can also have your questions noted in advance.
6. Listen More Than You Talk. While it important for the contact to get to know you, be sure to ask open-ended questions and listen carefully to what the contact is willing to share.  You can gain significant insight on the company, the industry and the role based on your questions to the contact.
7. Open with Small Talk. Demonstrate your interest in your contact.  Break the ice and build a connection.  You may ask about something displayed in their office.  If referred by a common connection, you could start by talking about how you both know that person.  If the contact shares only professional information, do not start talking about outside activities.  Mirror the contact’s energy level.  Do not spend more than five minutes breaking the ice.
8. Be Prepared to Run the Meeting. Some contacts will take the lead but others will sit back and wait for you to drive the meeting since you were the one to request this time together.  Have your questions prepared and take notes on their responses.
9. Say Thank You. Be respectful of the contact’s time and bring the meeting to a close in the agreed-upon time.  Thank the contact for their time and insights.  Show genuine appreciation and interest.  If follow-up is appropriate, ask permission to follow-up.  Exchange business cards.  Within 24 hours of your meeting, send a handwritten thank you note.  It is a simple but highly effective way to differentiate yourself and be remembered.
10. Ask for Additional Contacts. Now that the contact knows a bit more about you, ask who they suggest you speak with and ask if they would be willing to introduce you.   A referral from a trusted colleague can open critical doors for you.

A special situation is the meeting with a contact who was referred to you by another contact.  In that instance, you should also send a thank you note to the contact who recommended the new contact or made the introduction for you.  Show them that you appreciate their support.  They may have other valuable connections for you as well.

Following these steps will help you maximize the value of your networking meetings and will help you identify further contacts.

 

Tips for Successful Networking

 

Networking Tip #4

 

Asking for an Informational Interview

 

You’ve read that networking is critical to your career and job search success and that information interviews are a valuable way to build your network.  So take a deep breath and commit to starting the process.  It is not as scary as you may think.

1. Identify and prioritize companies on your target list.  Be sure to identify companies of different sizes in your target industries.
2. Identify contacts in each of those companies using LinkedIn, your alumni networks, etc.
3. Reach out to introduce yourself either by phone or email. If you are an alum of the same school mention that.  If you share a common friend or connection, refer to that.  If you are a student, let them know.  Express your strong interest in learning about their career and their current role with the company.  Ask for 20 – 30 minutes for an informational interview.
4. Wait three days, if there is no response, reach out again. If still no response, give it one more try a week later.  If you reach out three times with no response, stop pursuing this contact and more to another.
5. Agree on a date, time and location for your meeting or telephone call.
6. Do your research in advance so you have background on the company and the individual. Prepare questions in advance.
7. During the meeting take notes. It demonstrates interest and provides valuable reference material for your search.
8. Be sure ask the contact who else they think you should talk to in order to learn more about your areas of interest in the company.
9. Always say thank you at the end of the meeting and send a handwritten thank you note within 24 hours.
10. Keep the person updated on your progress. If you have a successful meeting with someone the recommended, say thank you again.

You will learn a great deal about your target companies, how they hire, what competencies they value and what work is like in the functional area of interest to you.  Later when you see a position posted at one of the target companies, ask your contact to forward your resume and cover letter to the hiring manager.  While this does not replace the need to apply online, it greatly increases the likelihood that someone will look at your resume.  Informational interviews are a great investment in your career so get started today.

Networking for Job Success

Networking Tips #3

You know you need to network to be successful in your job search.  You’ve had informative informational interviews.  You’ve identified contacts in your target companies and in your field of interest.  You have even joined a couple professional associations in your field.  Congratulations.  You are off to a great start but you still haven’t seen the full power of your network.

Imagine this.  You check the job postings each week at your target companies and finally this week when you look, Company A has a job posted which is your ideal job.  What do you do?

Prepare Your Resume and Cover Letter.  Review your resume in context of the job description.  Make any needed final changes and proofread carefully.  Have someone proof it as well just to be sure you have no errors.  Develop a customized cover letter addressing how you meet the specific requirements of the job.  Do not summarize your resume.  Instead “connect the dots” for the hiring manager by showing them how your experience would add value to their company in this role.

Apply Online.  While this does not do much to ensure your success, it is often a requirement by the company.  Many hiring managers are not allowed to speak with candidates who are not officially in the system.  Follow directions carefully and apply with your resume and customized cover letter attached.

Leverage Your Network.  Once you have applied online, reach out to your contact at Company A.  Tell them you saw the perfect job posted and that you have applied online.  Ask if they would do you a huge favor and share your resume and cover letter with the hiring manager.  Send your resume and cover letter to be forwarded to the hiring manager.

What’s a Hiring Manager to Do?  The hiring manager receives hundreds of online applications and doesn’t even know where to start.  If trusted colleagues within the organization share a few resumes and cover letters, those are most likely the first ones the manager will review.  If they see a possible fit, they start the interview process with those candidates.  Going to the mountain of resumes is often a last resort.  You want to be sure you are in the short pile and that is what a networking connection can do for you.

Increase Your Likelihood of Success.  You have to get an interview to have a chance of receiving the offer.  To get to the interview stage, someone has to see your resume and believe there is a fit.  Your networking connection can significantly increase the odds of getting your resume seen by the hiring manager.  Sometimes you get lucky and your connections give you a heads up that a position will be posting.  Networking makes a difference.

Stay tuned for more tips on networking successfully.

Networking for Job Search Success

Networking Tips #2

 

If networking is so critical to a successful job search, what do I need to do to be a successful networker?

 

Networking is Not Asking for a Job.  You should never be asking your networking contacts for a job.  Most people won’t want to talk to you if that is what you are asking for in your request.  You should be leveraging contacts to learn about the companies they work for, to understand their specific role and the qualifications for that role, to explore the culture of the organization and to gain insights into career paths and hiring processes.

Networking is a Two Way Relationship.  Networking isn’t simply what people can do for you.  It should be a reciprocal relationship to be successful.  Think about opportunities to help your contact.  Can you make an introduction for them?  Maybe you can share an interesting article.  Did you attend an interesting professional meeting you can share?

Don’t be Afraid to Ask.  Do not let shyness paralyze your networking efforts.  Start with people you know.  Expand your reach gradually.  If you are a student, leverage that.  Many professionals will give a student a few minutes.  Most alumni will help a fellow alum if asked.  What is the worst that can happen?  Some may decline or at least defer your request but that is ok.  Keep asking because more will say “yes” than “no.

Always Say Thank You.  While it is true that most people enjoy talking about themselves and their careers, they do have other demands on their time.  If they are gracious enough to share time with you, always take time to send a handwritten thank you note.  It makes a very positive impression and helps you stand out from the crowd.

Leverage LinkedIn.  LinkedIn makes networking much easier.  The true power of the tool is not just in who you know but who you contacts know.  Search for connections at your target companies or in your desired field.  Leverage your connections by asking for an introduction to their relevant connections.  Expand the power of LinkedIn by leveraging groups.  Look for groups such as your college alumni group or a former employer.  Identify groups based on your career interests.  Groups give you access to an even broader group of contacts and the discussions can be enlightening.

It’s Not All about You.   You should never do all the talking in a networking meeting.  You are there so learn so be a good listener.  Have open ended questions prepared to ask you contact to provide insights into your areas of interest.  Do you homework.  They expect you to know something about the company in advance.

Stay tuned for more posts on networking tips!

Networking for Job Success

Networking Tips #1

The single most critical step in the job search is networking and unfortunately it is the most frequently overlooked step.   Many jobs are filled through networking.  Many jobs aren’t advertised or publicly posted these days.   Networking helps you successfully tap this hidden job market.  If you are looking for a job, you can’t afford to avoid networking any longer.  Here are some tips for successful networking:

Why network?   There are several benefits to networking.  You will learn about different companies, different functions and roles that interest you, the critical skills required in your desired field and gain insights in the company hiring practices and priorities.  Your networking efforts also build you a network within your target companies to provide access to the hidden job pool, to act as an early warning on open positions and serve as an internal advocate.  Networking is the most critical step in the job search.

More is not always better.  So often, frustrated job seekers feel that spending more time on the computer looking at job boards and applying for open positions will increase their chances of landing a job.  The majority of online applications are never seen by the hiring manager.  You could be the most perfect fit for the job and if your only connection is through an online job board the chances of you landing that job are slim.  Resist the urge to spend hours behind the computer and get out to network.  It will greatly increase your chances of landing the job.  Check postings at your target companies at least once a week and do a weekly scan of the online job boards.  You should spend ten times more time and effort in networking than you do on the computer if you hope to succeed in your job search.

Getting Started.  I always encourage job seekers to start with the low hanging fruit – people you know when starting a networking process.  Ask your friends and family who they know in the companies on your target list and in the field you are most interested in.  Ask your friends’ parents and your parents’ friends.  Use your alumni network.  Look for former colleagues on LinkedIn.  Starting the process with “warm” contacts helps you build your confidence so you can continue to expand your network.

Build Your Network.  Always ask each networking contact who else they can introduce you to.  Once they know more about what interests you they likely have contacts who can be helpful.  If you respect their time, listen well and say “thank you” they are likely going to be willing to make referrals.  Ask them what professional associations they belong to and what meetings they find most valuable.  These groups can provide many valuable connections.

Be Open To Random Connections.  If you are focused on networking and have a clear sense of your target companies and your career interests, it can be amazing where you will find connections.  You could find your next connection at various networking events, social activities or even from virtual events..  Ask people what they do and where they work.  You can learn a great deal and can make valuable connections.

Networking is the key to job search success but it is also an interesting journey.  Enjoy the people you meet along the way and learn as much as possible from each connections.  You don’t know which connections just might lead you to your next job.

Stay tuned for more posts on networking tips.

 

 

 

Volunteer to Build Your Skills and Experience

If you are currently unemployed or underemployed or maybe just seeking a way to give back, volunteering is a great way to add value to your resume and to show your work ethic by keeping busy and adding value.  Volunteering can also be a great opportunity to build critical skills and gain relevant experience.  Volunteering can also expose you to a whole new network.  Rather than volunteering for the sake of volunteering, consider the following:

Fill an Immediate Critical Need

• Do you know how to sew and have supplies on hand? Start making cloth masks to donate.
• Offer to recruit much needed donors for local blood drives of offer to work the event (with masks and gloves for safety)
• Do you have elderly neighbors who may need assistance with grocery shopping or pharmacy pick-ups?

Non-Profit Boards

• Many non-profits are looking for experienced business people on their boards.
• Find a board that would benefit from your experience
• Seek opportunities to gain experience and make connections that could be valuable in your job search
• Board membership shows leadership on your resume

Focus on Mission

• If you are not able to identify a board position, volunteer with an organization whose mission is important to you
• Try to find a relevant mission but avoid missions that would be considered highly controversial or politically charged, don’t give someone a reason not to review your resume further
• Try to identify volunteer opportunities that utilize your marketable skills

Skills Development

• If you are seeking to make a career change and are having trouble getting attention of hiring managers for the new field, consider building your skills by volunteering.
• Seek opportunities that help you build experience in your new field, fundraising if you seek sales experience or maybe marketing or PR experience for example
• Track your accomplishments and build references

For all volunteer opportunities, you want to be sure to cultivate references for your future job search.  Volunteering is also a great opportunity to build networking contacts.

Identifying Networking Contacts

You are busy working from home, social distancing and managing life in a pandemic but you know that in order to find that next job, you need to network.  How do you find contacts for networking?

You already have network.  The people you know are your network – family, friends, current and former coworkers, current and former classmates, faculty members, etc.  All these contacts are sources of valuable networking connections.  While they might not have the right connections for the jobs you seek, remember each one of them also has a network of connections.

It is important to have a focus.  You can build a huge network but if no one works in companies, industries or roles that interest you, there is less you can learn from them.  Identify your target list of companies and focus your networking efforts on finding connections in those companies or their competitors.  Once you are connected to the companies on your list, try to find connections in the functional area that interests you.  It is easy to run searches on Linked In to find connections at companies on your list.  Leverage your existing connections to build further connections.

To build your network, it is easiest to start with people you know and then expand from there.  Here are some possible sources of networking connections:

• Family, friends and neighbors
• Alumni
• Professional associations
• Community, religious, political or social organizations
• Faculty, advisors and Career Center staff
• Your current and former classmates
• Former employers and co-workers
• Mentors
• Your parent’s friends and your friend’s parents

It is easier than ever to find connections.  Utilize LinkedIn to find people you know and see who they know as a way of expanding your network.  There is significant value in those second and third degree connections.  Spend time each day on LinkedIn finding and building connections at your target companies.  This will build a strong foundation to support a successful job search.