Networking, Networking, Networking, 3 Ways To Networking Effectively

When job hunting YOU MUST MEET people who can introduce you, who need you, who can hire you.

And LinkedIn and Facebook are just vehicles for opening the door.

I have 16,000+ direct connections on LinkedIn. Big deal! Its only useful if I can actually connect with them.

Here are a three ways to make use of your networks.

Follow The Money

If you’re looking for a job, go where the action is — growing companies are hiring. failing ones are firing.

And my favorite is LinkedIn. Personal branding coach Otis Collier (otiscollier.com) has few techniques, different than mine, but probably almost as effective. (I haven’t used them, but they make sense, that’s why I am sharing them.)

“I research companies on LinkedIn to find out who has been recently promoted, which shows which departments may be hiring and what jobs they may need to fill.”

This can help you find places within a company to make connections that lead to interviews.

The How To: Using Search Companies on LinkedIn, type in the names of one of your target companies (don’t have one – you need to learn about that) you’ll find two lists of interest:  New Hires, and Recent Promotions and Changes. Both of these show departments that are probably growing. If there are more than three hires, that means their is opportunity their. Also, look at the hires and the kinds of experiences the people have!

Look at the names, see if any are in your 1st level and extended networks. THIS TELLS YOU WHO TO CONTACT. Their profiles may identify things you have in common. Running, volunteer work, schools, church, synagogue, mosque, who knows what. When you contact them you have something beyond work to discuss.

Make New Connections at Old Employers

Write down the name of every employer you’ve ever had. Now, ask yourself the following four questions:

1. Could you work there again? Don’t snicker — we all know someone who’s been re-hired by a former employer. It happens every day. Why not for you?
2. Could you work for past clients? Think of every company your employers have ever sold products or services to. Could you work for any of them? Of course. Why not make a list of 5-10 to contact? Reconnect with with old clients using LinkedIn or Google, and ask about his company’s current needs.
3. Could you work for past competitors? Think of every company your past employers competed against. Could you work for any of them? Again, make a list of at least 5-10 names, then find a contact person at a former competitor you could work for. Don’t call to offer trade secrets on your old employer!!!! – nobody will hire a crook.  But do call and ask to meet for coffee, share your insights in the industry. This should interest them, given that you used to compete against them.
4. Could you work for past vendors? Make a list of companies your past employers purchased products and services from, such as IT consulting, office supplies, furniture, advertising, etc. Could you work for any of them? It may take some imagination, but the answer is surely yes

I Love Conferences And Trade Shows

Make connections at conferences put on by organizations and groups you belong to.

“Networking is still the #1 way people find jobs, and attending a conference is a prime chance to network,” says Collier.

Yes, I now it’s impossible to meet the hundreds of attendees at a typical conference. So what? You only need to meet one. But,  do your homework in advance. Create a targeted list of people to make connections with.

Collier suggests the following method. ( I have used something similiar – check out my slideshare show or the presentation on my website)

Before attending a conference, search LinkedIn for the organization’s name. You will find all the people who listed membership in their profile. Then, do an advanced search to cull the list down by job titles or areas of expertise. Print the best names and bring them to the conference.

You now have a “shopping list” of people to meet. When you register, ask for a printout of all attendees. Use this to determine which people on your list you can connect with.

What if you or the people on your list don’t attend the conference? Contact them anyway, by email or phone. Mention your membership in the same organization and you’ll have an instant affinity, which makes them more likely to speak with you.

No matter how you meet people, remember this: When having a networking conversation, be coy.

NEVER EVER SAY “I’m looking for a job — do you know anyone who’s hiring?”

• You look desperate and put people off.
• You haven’t provided them with any reason to help you.
• They don’t know you, and they may be afraid you are going to embarrass them
• You are asking them to do your work – see other articles on this.

Here is the short answer,

“Hi, I was hoping you could help me. I’m looking for information about XYZ company. Because you work(ed) there, would you have 3 minutes for a brief conversation?”

Here are the key principles in those sentences, so pay attention:

1. Most people will help, if you ask politely.
2. Saying one word — because — when asking a favor, often gets compliance, as detailed in the book, “Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion,” by Robert Cialdini. Try it.
3. Always give a time limit. At the end, say, “Well, it’s been 3 minutes. I’ll let you go, unless you have a couple more minutes.” Respect others’ time and they will respect you.
4. You have been specific, so they can give you specific information. You have done your homework, you are not asking them to do anything other than share knowledge.
5. You have stroked their ego’s. You have put the person in the roll of expert on something. Most people like to be seen as an expert. You have given them something in return for their sharing their knowledge with you.

This is my Monday Morning Job Hunting help. I have taken material provided to me by Kevin Donlin and David Perry, co-creators of the Guerrilla Job Search System.

Kevin and David have been interviewed by CNN, New York Times, Fortune magazine, and the Christian Science Monitor about their method to finding a job.

Get a free audio from Kevin and David on how to get your job search into high gear

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