Keppie Careers

Social media speaker, social media consultant, job search coach

Face-to-Face Networking for the Introvert: Tips for Success

By

Since I’ve been writing about online networking this week, it seems fitting to end the week with a jump back to the personal: in-person networking! Be sure to read my earlier blog: Networking Obstacles and Shy Networkers as background information for these tips. These points are courtesy of Angela Marino, whose blog is Girl Meets Business (commentary is my own):

Suggestions to Help You Work a Room

Use the buddy system
It’s not a bad idea to bring a friend to a networking event, as long as you don’t rely on the friend too much. Personally, I like to go to these kind of events on my own. That way, I can come and go as I please and talk to people without anyone I know watching me!

Attend a sit down event
While this type of set up eliminates the problem of having to randomly approach people who are standing up, the downside is that you may be stuck at an undesirable table. Maybe the people aren’t interested in you, or you in them. It is a good exercise in small talk to sit next to someone for a meal. Think of it as good practice, and you may get lucky and meet a great contact.

Give People Something to Talk About: Wear Something Memorable (Hat tip: Kate @ Defending Pandora.)
It can’t hurt to wear a great pin or scarf or special tie. Be careful not to be the one everyone remembers for what you wear, though! Especially if it is a conservative group, be sure your choices are interesting enough to be noticed, but not outlandish.

Get a drink
If everyone else is eating and drinking, holding a glass may make you feel more a part of the evening and give you something to do in-between talking to people. Stopping at the bar also gives you an opportunity to talk to people.

Find someone alone
You know there are a lot of other people who hate to “work a room.” They are probably standing alone, with a drink in their hand, wishing the whole thing was over! Go up to them and say hello! You may find a kindred spirit and maybe a new networking friend.

Hang out by the food line
Everyone has something to say about food! “How’s the dip?…Don’t those cookies look delicious?” You get the idea!

Don’t dominate one person
Angela notes that “Introverts enjoy deep conversations, not small talk.” If you do have the opportunity to get involved in a conversation with someone, make sure that you are mindful of their body language to know when it is time to move on. Most people attend networking events to circulate and touch base with a lot of people, so be sure you don’t keep someone hostage talking to you!

Take breaks
Retire to the restroom or step outside of the room to recharge. Remember that the event will be over soon, and that, even if you consider yourself an introvert, you can still act extroverted. The more practice you have, the easier it will get.

Congratulate yourself on your accomplishments, and think about how you can work the room even better next time!

Keppie Careers will help you learn how to network, online and in-person and prepare you for your job hunt! Need a great resume? Help with a cover letter? www.keppiecareers.com

Conquer Online Networking

By

I had the opportunity to attend a presentation by Ellen Sautter and Diane Crompton, co-authors of the book, Seven Days to Online Networking being released by JIST publishers next month.

Ellen and Diane spoke about the importance of using the internet to help promote and define your personal brand – they referred to your “electronic footprint.” This seems to be my week to write about the importance of keeping up appearances online and using your social networks for job searching.

Regular readers know how much I love referencing other authorities who agree with me! This presentation was a great reminder of the importance of creating and maintaining your online identity. I thought I’d share some insights from the presentation for job seekers and everyone else hoping to take advantage of cyber-connecting.

Ellen and Diane note (and I agree) that online networking does not replace face-to-face contact. Combine the two for the most impact.

Have a strong profile or bio to use online. Keppie Careers will be happy to help you write, revise or proof your profile to make sure that you are presenting the most professional image possible. Nothing screams careless more than a typo or grammatical error on a standard bio. Email: results@keppiecareers.com for more information.

Ellen and Diane point out that it’s important to have networking goals. They suggest keeping a “networking tool kit” that includes:

  • Frequently used links
  • URLs of all of your profiles and sites where you are a member
  • Links to your articles and press
  • Email signatures
  • Photos/headshots
  • Various versions of your bio
  • Profile information (what you offer and what you seek)
  • Accomplishment statements, elevator pitch, etc.

Remember to Google yourself. (In fact, set a google alert to alert you when your name or business is indexed. This is a great way to know if other people are mentioning you on their websites or blogs.) Ellen and Diane suggest checking up on your online identity on a regular basis, even weekly.

Enhance and maintain your profiles. A tip from Ellen and Diane: Review other linkedin profiles from people in your industry to get ideas of keywords and buzz words. Incorporate language that makes sense for your profile.

Keep an eye on this blog for ongoing tips and tricks for improving your online and in-person networking efforts!

Keppie Careers will teach you how to network! www.keppiecareers.com

Keppie Careers – A Head Above the Rest: Encouraging, Enlightening and Empowering Job Seekers for Success!

Do You Need More Reasons to Enhance Your Online Profile?

By

 

Because every “bunny’s” doing it?  I couldn’t resist the pun when I found this image on flikr…In all seriousness, I read yet another reason to update your linkedin profile and focus on your social network…

Yesterday, my cyber-friend, Chris Russel at Secrets of the Job Hunt, blogged about a recent survey developed by Robert Half International. An independent research firm interviewed 150 senior executives from the nation’s 1,000 largest companies.  They asked executives:
“Which of the following technology tools do you believe will be most useful in your firm’s recruiting efforts in the next three years?”
The responses:
Professional networking sites (such as Linkedin)………….62%
Social networking sites (such as Facebook or MySpace )……………….35%
Video resumes………………………..20%
Second Life…………………………..7%
None of these………………………..15%
Other/don’t know……………………. 10%
* Multiple responses were allowed.
(For the record, both Chris and I were surprised at the 20% figure for video resumes, as our experience is that they are not widely used.)

Max Messmer, chairman and CEO of Robert Half International and author of Job Hunting For Dummies, noted,

“Tried-and-true methods such as networking at industry events, submitting well-written resumes and cover letters and diligently following up with hiring managers are still essential to landing the ideal job…Combining personal and online networking offers the best of both worlds.”

I love to quote experts who agree with advice I’ve been giving for years!

Follow this link for tips to get your social network going.
For suggestions to improve your linkedin profile, click here.
Follow this link to read our advice regarding networking in general.

Keppie Careers will help you enhance your linkedin.com profile.  Email us at results@keppiecareers.com for more information about our high quality, affordable services.ÂÂ

10 Reasons Your Job Hunt May Last Too Long

By

I came across information about a book by Tony Beshara, The Job Search Solution: The Ultimate System for Finding a Great Job Now! While the book came out in 2006, I thought several of the main points suggesting why you may be having trouble with your job search are relevant for job seekers today. (Points are from Beshara’s book, commentary is my own.)

1. You’re not making finding a job a job itself. Focus, schedule your time and make a committment to finding a job. It isn’t going to just happen on its own.

2. You haven’t developed a system of finding a job. Set goals. Make plans. Follow through. Network.

3. You have an unrealistic idea about the market for your skills. Recognize that there is no perfect job.

4. You aren’t acknowledging the psychological and emotional stress that changing jobs entails. Looking for work can be stressful. Seek support from friends, family or a group. Consider hiring a career coach to guide you 🙂

5. You ignore small businesses. Most people work for small companies. Don’t overlook these potential employers.

6. You don’t recognize the importance of the face-to-face interview. A great resume will get you an interview, but the interview is what will get you the job.

7. You don’t prepare well for interviews. This is a big problem for job seekers and employers. Be prepared and don’t waste an opportunity in front of a decision maker.

8. You’re not selling yourself. It is up to you to let the employer know why you are the one for the job.

9. You have the attitude, “What can you do for me?” Develop your “hire me” strategy around the employer’s needs. They don’t really care what you want them to do for you – explain what you offer the employer for results.

10. You give poor reasons for leaving your job. Be positive and honest, but don’t dwell on the past. Emphasize your future plans as they relate to the potential employer.

If your job hunt is going on too long, consider seeking help. A professionally written resume will save you time and money. Keppie Careers is here to help! www.keppiecareers.com

Is the Personal Professional?

By

 

Today, one of my “read daily” blog writers, Penelope Trunk, wrote about getting on Twitter and used it as a way to talk about doing something that scares you.

For those who don’t know, Twitter is a way to post updates about your daily activities so that your “followers” will know your every move. Some people use it to give details of their day. “Went to the store. No fresh chocolate croissants. Bummer.” You get the idea.

I actually started posting when I update my blog on Twitter. (Feel free to “follow” me. Don’t worry, I won’t let you know what I have for dinner or how many poopy diapers I change in a day!)

For me, Penelope’s post brought to mind an issue that is important for all professionals. Where do we draw the line between the personal and the professional? We already know that recruiters review FaceBook and “Google” potential employees to see if there is any “dirt” that would make them undesirable.

I met a woman this month who told me the story of a son’s friend (new college grad) who showed up for an interview at a big firm only to be shown all of the unflattering materials they had found about him online. They used it as an opportunity to let him know why they wouldn’t be following through with the interview.

Social media is here to stay, though. In fact, it becomes more and more necessary to understand and participate in it. (For example, if you’re not linkedin, you may be missing out on great professional opportunities.)

Where do we draw the line between the personal and the professional?

Keith Ferrazzi says something pertinent in his book, Never Eat Alone…

“Power, today comes from sharing information, not withholding it. More than ever, the lines demarcating the personal and the professional have blurred. We’re an open-source society, and that calls for open-source behavior.” (p.146)

It seems that Twitter and other social media encourage this openness and offer vehicles to link personal and professional interests. As “the personal is political,” maybe “the personal is professional.”

Something to think about…

Keppie Careers will help you use social media to your advantage. www.keppiecareers.com