Uncomfortable Networking

Uncomfortable Networking When I started my job search I knew I wouldnt have to waste time networking. I was too busy looking for a job to spend time networking.   I didnt want to take hours each week in the car, spending money to going to events, and schmoozing with people who really had nothing to offer me. One day I broke down and thought Id give it a try, but I did it on my own terms.   I really was uncomfortable putting myself out there in front of people, not sure how to network.   And of course, since it was on my own terms, I didnt get much value out of it (and I guarantee I didnt give any value to anyone). My terms included: going to the meeting late heaven forbid I got there early enough to have to talk to people, leaving the meeting as soon as the speaker was done again, no need to talk to people! Reading Never Eat Alone and Thom Singers Some Assembly Required helped change my thoughts about networking I got excited about those meetings, and changed the way I thought about the attendees.   I started going earlier and stayed until almost everyone was gone.   I started asking for lunches from individuals, and following up in email and on the phone. Everything changed.   Even, and especially, the results. At lunch a few days ago I was talking with a local entrepreneur and I had a thought sometimes you have to be uncomfortable in your networking. If you look at me now, especially if you dont want to network, you might think that Im a networking fool a crazy networker who does nothing else, and thoroughly enjoys networking. The truth is, many times I am uncomfortable. I am not saying we have to be in ethically or morally uncomfortable situations, but many times we are sitting in the network meeting, or in the parking lot before the meeting, or right by our phone before we make *that* call, and we are uncomfortable.   Queasy.   Scared. Im going to guess that everyone, even Mr. Networker himself Thom Singer, who has written multiple books on networking, gets uncomfortable sometimes. But let me encourage you to go through with it dont let the discomfort be a show-stopper for you. Go into that meeting, open your mouth, meet people, and grow your network!   Uncomfortable is OKAY. Uncomfortable Networking When I started my job search I knew I wouldnt have to waste time networking. I was too busy looking for a job to spend time networking.   I didnt want to take hours each week in the car, spending money to going to events, and schmoozing with people who really had nothing to offer me. One day I broke down and thought Id give it a try, but I did it on my own terms.   I really was uncomfortable putting myself out there in front of people, not sure how to network.   And of course, since it was on my own terms, I didnt get much value out of it (and I guarantee I didnt give any value to anyone). My terms included: going to the meeting late heaven forbid I got there early enough to have to talk to people, leaving the meeting as soon as the speaker was done again, no need to talk to people! Reading Never Eat Alone and Thom Singers Some Assembly Required helped change my thoughts about networking I got excited about those meetings, and changed the way I thought about the attendees.   I started going earlier and stayed until almost everyone was gone.   I started asking for lunches from individuals, and following up in email and on the phone. Everything changed.   Even, and especially, the results. At lunch a few days ago I was talking with a local entrepreneur and I had a thought sometimes you have to be uncomfortable in your networking. If you look at me now, especially if you dont want to network, you might think that Im a networking fool a crazy networker who does nothing else, and thoroughly enjoys networking. The truth is, many times I am uncomfortable. I am not saying we have to be in ethically or morally uncomfortable situations, but many times we are sitting in the network meeting, or in the parking lot before the meeting, or right by our phone before we make *that* call, and we are uncomfortable.   Queasy.   Scared. Im going to guess that everyone, even Mr. Networker himself Thom Singer, who has written multiple books on networking, gets uncomfortable sometimes. But let me encourage you to go through with it dont let the discomfort be a show-stopper for you. Go into that meeting, open your mouth, meet people, and grow your network!   Uncomfortable is OKAY. Uncomfortable Networking When I started my job search I knew I wouldnt have to waste time networking. I was too busy looking for a job to spend time networking.   I didnt want to take hours each week in the car, spending money to going to events, and schmoozing with people who really had nothing to offer me. One day I broke down and thought Id give it a try, but I did it on my own terms.   I really was uncomfortable putting myself out there in front of people, not sure how to network.   And of course, since it was on my own terms, I didnt get much value out of it (and I guarantee I didnt give any value to anyone). My terms included: going to the meeting late heaven forbid I got there early enough to have to talk to people, leaving the meeting as soon as the speaker was done again, no need to talk to people! Reading Never Eat Alone and Thom Singers Some Assembly Required helped change my thoughts about networking I got excited about those meetings, and changed the way I thought about the attendees.   I started going earlier and stayed until almost everyone was gone.   I started asking for lunches from individuals, and following up in email and on the phone. Everything changed.   Even, and especially, the results. At lunch a few days ago I was talking with a local entrepreneur and I had a thought sometimes you have to be uncomfortable in your networking. If you look at me now, especially if you dont want to network, you might think that Im a networking fool a crazy networker who does nothing else, and thoroughly enjoys networking. The truth is, many times I am uncomfortable. I am not saying we have to be in ethically or morally uncomfortable situations, but many times we are sitting in the network meeting, or in the parking lot before the meeting, or right by our phone before we make *that* call, and we are uncomfortable.   Queasy.   Scared. Im going to guess that everyone, even Mr. Networker himself Thom Singer, who has written multiple books on networking, gets uncomfortable sometimes. But let me encourage you to go through with it dont let the discomfort be a show-stopper for you. Go into that meeting, open your mouth, meet people, and grow your network!   Uncomfortable is OKAY.

Your Better Qualified Connections Are Key for Success - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Your Better Qualified Connections Are Key for Success - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Professional sales taught me strategic lessons for life. The most important lesson is that above all sound relationships come first. The best outcome is to blend personal and professional relationships by becoming a friend to your prospective audience and clientele. It is seen as you striving to do your best on their behalf. While it takes a bit longer to get established in selling well, the time spent produces results beyond expectations. Intuitively sense if there is a sign of synergy upon connecting and if moving forward will be enjoyable. Online Strategy Whenever you come across an interesting tweet or online posting that conveys a similar experience, take the time to briefly message the person. Invariably, this will lead into a dynamic conversation. Outcomes may include media interviews, participation in projects and introductions to people you thought might never happen. Habits Do you cast a wide net to network in person and online, or, are you solely relying on one method to meet folks? Time efficiency is essential and that’s why the social media platforms prove to be an excellent connection ground. Try implementing the following: Respond to posts you enjoy. Communicate why you enjoyed the post in order to establish a bond. As synergy builds, extend an invitation to connect phone or Skype. You may view these connections as a part of your sales pipeline. And so it would be smart to devote a little time each day to review your email and online in-boxes to see if there is a message of interest. Respond immediately before the connection literally gets lost in the cloud. Variety Everyone works differently. Some advocate analysis of statistics first while others perform best with trial and error. For a wider perspective to improve upon what is currently in place, try a bit of both. By implementing a variety of ways to accomplish the same, you will quickly recognize which idea and strategy work the best. It’s important to note that the answers for each of us may vary dramatically. Reverse Direction Every once in a while it may occur to you that someone or something was overlooked. Most likely the timing wasn’t right, but now it might be. Should this be a recurring thought, it is well worth the time to take a second look. Your more recent experience may make the original opportunity a far better fit moving forward. Sales Tips: Scroll down the Twitter home page to see which messages catch your eye. When LinkedIn invitations arrive to connect, see whose work is of the most interest. Look at the responses on your Facebook page to see if a conversation is ready to go. Should a Pin on Pinterest be of interest, reach out to the pinner. Upon viewing a video on YouTube, let the person know. Follow-up immediately with those you meet socially. Check email for the more intriguing notices. Research industries for companies that you like. Reconnect with people from the past by asking if they would be interested in an exchange of updates. Be consistent in exchanging news with your closer friends. These tips and suggested habits will help to develop a strong personal brand and lead you to the Smooth Sale!

Get to know yourself this summer University of Manchester Careers Blog

Get to know yourself this summer University of Manchester Careers Blog Summer is here, you have  just finished exams so lets not try anything too strenuous. 1 While lazing on the beach Close your eyes and think back on this last year, what did you really enjoy and why? When have you felt most comfortable and motivated?   Why do you think that was? Now think about something you are looking forward to, why is that? Do you like being with friends or alone? Are you usually the  instigator  of an  activity or are you the one that gets things done? Understanding your personal preferences will help you make decisions about your future.  2 At  a festival or while travelling You may meet up with fellow students and graduates from all over the world im sure you will get chatting. Ask: Where  are you  from? What do you  do? Are they studying or working?   Where is that whats it like? What are you doing after this?   Going travelling, summer jobs perhaps they have a graduate job lined up? Well done you are now officially networking! You could get all sorts of great ideas for things to do and maybe even  make contacts to visit places and people. By learning about what other people are doing and what they enjoy you can start to understand the options open to you. 3 At home visiting friends and family Make small talk with the relatives, ask questions: How are  things at work? ( its a good opening line when you have probably forgotten what they do!) Whats the best thing about being a .   (they will probably tell you the worst things too) Ask family if you could go into work  with them  one day and see what they do?   Maybe they cant do that but they may know someone who would be willing. By talking about or experiencing different work places and roles you will start to understand what you might like and dislike.   It will help you understand what you want your life to look like. 4 Your summer job. The ultimate self realisation experiment! From 3 months working in a coffee shop I learned that I hate standing up for 8 hours a day and that boredom  is my biggest enemy. Love or hate your job there is always something to be gained (as well as the money!) Is it what you thought it would be like? What do you like and dislike about it?   Do you know why you love or hate bits of your job ? Is it the people or  the task? It doesnt matter how unrelated you think your summer job is to your future career, getting to know what matters to you will come in pretty handy in the future. What next? Its up to you, but if you need someone to chat it over with give us a ring 0161 275 2829 or leave us a message on Facebook ..Finally one top tip! Be nice  to the people you meet  this summer.  You never know when you will meet them again and they could be the one employing you! All Undergraduate Undergraduate-highlighted career planning careers employability Getting started

11 Ways to Use Personal Media Features to Strengthen Your Brand - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

11 Ways to Use Personal Media Features to Strengthen Your Brand - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career How can I use being featured on a media list, such as Forbes 30 Under 30, a part of my brand online? The following answers are provided by members of  Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC), an invite-only organization comprised of the world’s most promising young entrepreneurs. In partnership with Citi, YEC recently launched  BusinessCollective, a free virtual mentorship program that helps millions of entrepreneurs start and grow businesses. 1. Optimize the Article to Rank for Your Name You should link to the article using your brand name as the anchor text, which will help the article rank when your name is being searched. This will look great for your brand online, because when someone searches your name, Forbes 30 Under 30 will show up.   â€"  Raymond Kishk,  Interstate Air Conditioning Heating 2. Add It to Your Email Signature When you send email to new and existing customers, adding third-party endorsements can help validate you. Existing customers are reassured that they are dealing with the right person, while new customers are given confidence to start doing business with you.   â€"  Murray Newlands,  Due.com 3. Start Your Own Blog I recently consulted with  Brand Yourself  to discuss personal branding. One of the key takeaways was to have my own blog as a hub for  content, achievements and strategic content.  Now I have a place to publish significant achievements that would be weird to post on our company blog. Relevant posts, like Forbes 30 Under 30,  would be  perfect for your blog and to share on on your business media.   â€"  Josh Sprague,  Orange Mud 4. Dont Flaunt It While that kind of award is a big deal, flaunting it everywhere is obnoxious. Anyone who wants to know your background is going to Google you. If its listed in LinkedIn and anywhere else you have a formal bio, people will figure out that youre awesome (without having to shove your awesomeness in their face).   â€"  Erin Weed,  evoso inc. 5. Leverage It for Bigger Opportunities Media lists are great for business/trade pub, but few outside your industry will care. The key is leveraging honors into bigger opportunities. When my co-founder and I were the only self-funded company on the 2014 Inc. 35 Under 35 list, we parlayed that sound bite into an appearance on  Shark Tank. All of a sudden, an industry accolade became nine minutes on prime-time TV in front of millions of people.   â€"  Brittany Hodak,  ZinePak 6. Blast It When receiving such prestigious mentions by media outlets, blasting them out across all social media platforms is a must. I would definitely use the particular media outlets logo on your personal and business website for credibility purposes. In my opinion, getting such recognition is a huge deal and shouldnt go unnoticed.   â€"  Engelo Rumora,  Ohio Cashflow 7. LinkedIn Is Key Update your LinkedIn profile. Other social media outlets are a flash in the pan, but LinkedIn lasts and is the first place people go to assess your professional credentials and experience. While you’re there, you can push it out through your other channels, and drive traffic back to your profile.   â€"  Christopher Kelly,  Convene 8. Add It to Your Elevator Pitch On a daily basis, you interact with various people who have the ability to help you  extend your  personal brand and grow your business. Every time you see someone you havent seen in a while or engage with a business prospect, you need to deliver a clear, super-exciting and passionate elevator pitch that highlights recent awards and business milestones. Embellish with confidence and a smile.   â€"  Kristopher Jones,  LSEO.com 9. Share the Back Story If youre featured on a top media list, share the story of how you made it with your customers, brand advocates and target market. People are more likely to become emotionally invested in your successes when they learn how hard you had to work for them and what they mean to you. Share your joy with them, and theyre more likely to share your story with other people.   â€"Jared Brown,  Hubstaff 10. Tie It Into Other Online Content The beauty of online content is the doors it opens to other online content. Online articles, videos, social media posts and more can be easily linked to other online content that boosts your credibility as an online brand. Take the opportunity to link to other media list features through as much content as you can, so online readers are effortlessly led to links that boost your brand!   â€"  Miles Jennings,  Recruiter.com 11. Create a Formal Press Kit Go beyond simple press hyperlinks by creating a well-designed press kit you can use to help open doors and demonstrate rapport. Your PR and marketing teams will thank you.   â€"  Sam Saxton,  Salter Spiral Stair and Mylen Stairs

Learn How to Write a Custom Resume That Will Help You Get That Job

Learn How to Write a Custom Resume That Will Help You Get That JobIf you want to be successful at your next job search, you should take the time to learn about how to write a custom resume. In many cases, a resume isn't just a document that you put together. It is a powerful tool that can help you get a good position with a company or school. In order to use your resume effectively, you must know how to use it correctly.A custom resume can be used to your advantage. When it is completed properly, it can lead you to an interview for a position that fits your skills and qualifications. You don't want to put too much of your personal history on your resume. The idea is to focus on your abilities as well as skills that are needed in the job.Keep it simple, but still be professional. Include relevant work experience, work history, and education. Be specific about the jobs that you have had, and where you have worked. Be sure to include employment dates and educational information as well as any awards and honors.The best thing about a custom resume is that it allows you to write about yourself in the manner that you want. Employers like to see the real you when they are reviewing your resume. It helps to show that you are interested in learning more about a particular field, as well as showing that you are confident in your abilities. Employers will also feel comfortable with your ideas when they read your resume.Remember that many people take information from their resume and add it to other documents they have made. This makes it very easy for someone else to use the information. Before you make the decision to use a resume for yourself, ask yourself if you truly need it. There are many people who do not have an Internet connection and would not be able to use the information.It is also a good idea to start off by designing a resume based on something that you are interested in. This will help you focus on the elements that you need to cover. It may also help you gain a more in-depth understanding of the job that you are applying for. So long as you are familiar with the job, it won't be difficult to know what to write about and how to write it.If you are hiring a team, take the time to design a custom resume that includes all of the people who will be on the team. Try to think about each of them individually and write about each one individually. These might be some of the most interesting resumes that you will ever see.You can put a custom resume together easily, but it is important to put in the effort to make it what you want it to be. You will be surprised at how easy it is to look for a job when you make a little bit of effort. This is an important skill to learn.

Democratic leadership - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Democratic leadership - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog Democratic organizations need leaders too the main difference is that in a democratic organization leadership is dynamic and distributed. In a traditional organization leadership is static and centralized. A common misconception is that democracy entails a lack of strong leadership, but this is only true of dysfunctional democracies. Healthy democracies have many leaders, who step up whenever interest, passion, energy, motivation and organizational needs dictate. You may see different people taking leadership in different areas, or you may see people taking leadership in the same area at different times. But note that leadership in a democratic organization is something you actively seek out whereas in a traditional organization it comes with the job. Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

Your Biggest Obstacle to a Job Search YOU - Pathfinder Careers

Your Biggest Obstacle to a Job Search YOU - Pathfinder Careers Your Biggest Obstacle to a Job Search: YOU It’s a tough job market out there.   What jobs exist are few and far between, and oftentimes, it seems like a never-ending case of chasing an elusive tiger’s tail in pursuing them. But given the fierce competition for these openings, if  you are constantly getting no responses to the countless applications and résumé submissions, instead of blaming everyone else and the economy, maybe it’s time you took a tough love look at yourself. Are you the one thing holding yourself back? Possibly. Here are some tough questions you might want to ask before sending in that next application: Is your résumé REALLY that good?   Informally, I have been asking human resource managers and recruiters their opinion, and the results are in.   Around 85-90% of everyone’s résumé are awful.  So many times, potential clients have emailed me their documents and reassured me that they are very happy with their résumé and it just needs a few tweaks, but when I open it up on my screen, it is clear that this document alone represents a significant barrier.   Buy a “how-to” résumé writing book or hire a writer, but whatever you do, invest time and money in doing it right â€" the rewards will be immediate. Don’t just count on what you know now about how to write a résumé to carry you forward.   Most of the time, it is incorrect, which is why most résumés are so awful. Do you know about Applicant Tracking Systems? If not, then you’d better read up, and fast. That could the single determining factor as to whether your résumé advances to a real live human being versus being tossed out by a computer who can’t match your skills up with the job requirements. Are you thinking too highly of yourself?   Most people are well-grounded in what they offer, but I have seen, from time to time, a lost soul who clearly sees themselves performing in a much greater role that what they are actually qualified for… and this gap comes across as loud and clear on the other end.   Don’t overreach your abilities. Just don’t. Are you selling yourself too short? The stamp of being “overqualified” usually is the kiss of death for many applicants; your best route to job search success to align your efforts/activities around positions that most closely match your skills and experience.   Sometimes, however, there simply aren’t any jobs in your current skill set; that may beg the question of whether you should “dumb down” your résumé.    Sometimes, that works, but instead, it is much better to examine other similar jobs that you might be able to capitalize on your  transferable  skill sets versus taking a step backward in title and earnings. Is the job something you LIKE to do versus CAN do?   Many applicants, particularly new workers / graduates, start their job search off by looking for employment that sounds “interesting” to them, but oftentimes neglect to check the requirements to see if they even have any of the necessary skills.  This is the toughest and most honest part of the job search process: “What am I actually QUALIFIED to do?” If you can answer this part, you’ll have much better luck. Are you holding out? There’s always the irresistible lure of a potentially better job offer lurking around the next corner, but there oftentimes comes a point where you have to make a tough decision: taking a lesser palatable job now because there is no guarantee a better one is coming down the pipeline anytime soon. Do you have a network? Shy or not, you’ll need one of these to make connections in target companies. So many job offers result from person-to-person connections versus job boards that investing time in building meaningful network is really where you need to be expending your energies. Are you up to date? Being so busy on the job means that things like professional development and how you are learning new on-the-job skills often fall by the wayside. What are you doing to keep yourself updated, and more importantly: relevant? The more you can get out of your own way in searching for a job, the more success you will enjoy! Photo By Pen Waggener (Flickr: Economic Landscape) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons