The Morning Blend: Networking Options Abound
Brad Raney | Feb 24, 2011 | Comments 0
In the past two weeks of The Blend, we have talked about the Power of Connections (click here) and Ultimate Networking (click here). These blogs hopefully got your creative juices flowing for how to really jump start your networking efforts.
Today, let’s focus on the various forms that great networking can take. Spring is a positive time for most folks, and it’s a great time of the year to be networking and finding your perfect job. In essence, spring is a rebirth of the Earth, with new grass, flowers, trees, and plants blossoming all around us. That same situation exists in people’s minds, and hiring managers are often ready to make decisions to help grow their company’s bottom line during the spring. So, while it’s always the right time to work your network – in spring, it’s even better because not only is your attitude better, but so is everyone else’s!
With that said, the question is clearly not “when” to network, but “where” – where do you go for the best networking opportunities? I touched on one of them in the Ultimate Networking blog from last week – volunteering for a cause or non profit that you are passionate about. You will never go wrong with making deposits into the bank of karma for not only you but someone else, so please get involved with an organization you care about as soon as possible.
There are other great situations where networking is not only possible but highly effective. Let me illustrate a few of them with events I have on my calendar right now.
1- Specialty Training Workshops - I am humbled to have been asked back to present the VOWELS to a very special workshop group here in Jacksonville – the Military Spouse Corporate Career Network. I spoke to the group yesterday and will see them again next week when I’ll do a workshop on - what else – networking! How does this apply to your networking goals? Research your area and find groups in your field of interest that meet regularly and perhaps bring in trainers and speakers. Not only can you learn the latest trends in job hunting and how to spruce up your resume, but each person in the group has their own network of people. The combined power of 30 or 40 or 50 folks who are like minded in helping each other find their next great opportunity is astounding! You may be able to help someone there connect with a person at a company you used to work for, or be able to lend advice to someone who wants to get into your specific field. On the flip side, each of those other folks has multiple connections that might help you. I have seen it done, time and time again – one job seeker helping another find the right door to knock on, or even better, the right person to be introduced to in person. Don’t overlook these specialized job seeking groups – they are powerful!
2- Civic Clubs and Organizations – Another event I have scheduled soon is to speak to the Bartram Trail Rotary Club. Rotary Clubs, Kiwanis, Optimist Clubs, Chamber of Commerce meetings/socials, and others like this are amazing centers of networking. This particular club has 20-30 members, but each member is either an entrepreneur or works for a major company in the area – and each member has a vibrant, healthy, and growing base of contacts both inside and outside their company. Getting involved with a group like this is an offshoot of the ultimate networking we’ve discussed, but it’s a little more corporate in its focus. Research the club’s goals and missions and choose a few that fit who you are the best. Then, attend a few meetings as a guest at each of your target clubs and see which one feels right for you. Once you’ve found a “home”, join and get involved on committees as soon as possible. Preferably, the membership committee – this arm of most clubs is the one no one wants to be on, but it’s the best for you because you can now approach potential hiring managers or recruiters and invite them to attend as a guest to learn more about the club. All the while, they are learning more about you and this relationship could turn out to be invaluable to you down the line!
3- Career Expos and Job Fairs – The Jacksonville Career Expo is coming up soon, in fact on March 11 at the Aloft Hotel in Tapestry Park, here in Jacksonville. It will be one of the largest and best career expos in NE Florida this spring, and I am doing a noon keynote for the event. The good thing about the format of this expo is that it’s not just job seekers and recruiters, but there are educational and motivational break out sessions (including me!) for attendees. I could write an entire other blog about how to manage your expectations at career fairs – oh wait, I already did! (see Job Fair Expectations from a few months ago) – but the key is to not expect that you are going to walk into a job fair or career expo and walk out with a new job. The chances of that happening are slim and none, and none just left town! Your goal should be to have great conversations with several recruiters and even the event organizers or speakers, and to try and find 3-4 contacts that you can follow up that will help build your network. You can also practice your interviewing skills, work on your “elevator pitch”, challenge your self confidence quotient and more, but please don’t expect to hear “You’re hired!” while you’re at the expo!
I hope this brief list of networking options will help you get moving and more active in your job search. If I can help you in any way to find better networking opportunities, don’t hesitate to ask!
Sincerely,
Brad Raney
Brad Raney is a motivational speaker, life coach, author and sales trainer. He has over 25 years of experience in sales and sales management within the broadcast industry. Brad developed the VOWELS program in 2009 and the success it brought his sales team has spurred keynote speeches, workshops, seminars, a website, and his first book “Improve Your VOWELS, Improve Your Career!” which was released in July 2010.
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