Networking Archives - Page 3 of 3

Why & How to Use LinkedIn Even When You Do Have a Job

Why & How to Use LinkedIn Even When You Do Have a Job

August 9, 2021

Many career professionals only use LinkedIn when they are looking for a new job. I think this is a big mistake!

When you step away from active networking on LinkedIn, you stop growing and nurturing your online network. You miss out on opportunities to stay informed about your industry and current market trends.

You also lose important ground. If you stay connected, you keep yourself in the right position to put your network to work as soon as possible. A job loss often comes with no warning. Maintaining your online network is an important buffer that can reduce the amount of time you spend between jobs.

And what if you decide to look for a job but you want to stay at your current one until you find it? If you are already active on LinkedIn, your online activity won’t raise any red flags with your current employer because you are always active.

When my clients find new jobs, they often tell me: “I am going to keep networking!” I would like to tell you that many do but unfortunately that’s not true. Most people get involved in their jobs and don’t make the time in their new schedule for.

LinkedIn is the ideal place to keep your network alive while you are working.

...and it doesn't have to take too much of your time either!

Here are three things that I recommend you do on LinkedIn every single week, even if you have a job:

Every day before you begin your workday, go to your LinkedIn home page and notification section and engage with your connections.
Schedule between 1-3 virtual coffee chats each month with people you want to get to know better. Don’t just stick to people you already know. Also connect with people who seem to industry connectors or appear to be the someone “in the know.”
Find a LinkedIn group related to your industry that is active. Look for groups that have regular posts and members who are commenting and sharing information. This can be a way for you to become a subject matter expert (aka an SME) and bring your expertise to the group.

If you do these three things each week, you will keep your network alive. When you need help with your next job search, your network will be ready and willing to help because you have stayed connected.

Finding time to keep your network alive while you are employed is challenging. But building and maintain your relationships is key to your career success. Being active on LinkedIn will keep you visible with your network and it could lead to a new job even if you were not looking for one.

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Looking for a Job? Do This Every Day on LinkedIn.

July 26, 2021

You’ve already heard about the importance of using LinkedIn for your job search.

Some job seekers think that having an “All-star” rating on their profile is enough. It is a good start, but it’s not enough. If you are not actively engaging with your network, then you are invisible.

Recruiters and Hiring Managers are on LinkedIn looking for talent every single day. If you want to be found by them, you need to be visible to a broad network.

Based on my experience working with thousands of job seekers, here are the top three things you must-do on LinkedIn every day that will help you be seen by the right people:

Work toward having 500 connections. The broader your network is, the more people will become aware you are in job transition. This increases your chances of knowing someone in one of your targeted companies who can refer you to a job opening.
Visit your LinkedIn home page every day and also check your notifications. These are the two places where you can engage with your #1 and #2 connections. Think of these areas as where your online networking happens. Talk with your connections, share articles, get a sense of what’s trending… and keep an eye out for people talking about job openings. Yes, you should also check out the jobs section, but that actually isn’t your first stop. When people in your network are talking about openings and opportunities, you can step into an active conversation with the key people involved.
Actively engage with your connections. Reply to people you are following and comment on articles posted by companies you are targeting. Use a balance of likes, comments, and shares. Just liking a post will not give you the visibility you need in your search. Commenting, however, allows you to share your perspective and develop new relationships. Sharing is a form of goodwill and will show your connections you are thinking of them, which in turn might have them think of you. People will go to your profile because you have showed up on their notifications.

Quick tip: When you comment or share, tag the original poster or the person you are replying to (using the @ and their username). This will increase your visibility!

LinkedIn is an essential part of your job search. If you use the steps above every single day, you will become visible to the people who can help you find the job you’re looking for!

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How to Have Balanced Networking Conversations and Leave a Great Impression

How to Have Balanced Networking Conversations and Leave a Great Impression

May 31, 2021

Now that we are moving back into in-person networking opportunities, we need to get comfortable with talking with people in real life. These conversations have the opportunity to be powerful for you, so let’s spend a moment talking about how to do them well.

Effective networking conversations are about balance. We need to balance how much we listen and how much we talk.

When you can bring balance into a networking conversation, your conversational partner feels listened to, and you feel like you’ve shared just the right amount of information about yourself, as well. This makes for a powerful opportunity because when they feel listened to, your conversational partner will think positively about you. And they’ll also know a bit more about you without feeling like you took the conversation over.

That sounds like a great networking result, right?

So, what does a balanced networking conversation look like? It’s easier to understand if we first get clear on what balance does NOT look like.

So, let me introduce you to my friends:

First, we have Hijack Harry. Have you ever started talking with someone about an experience you’ve had but before you got share any details, they started telling you about their experience? If so, then you too have met a Hijack Harry!

Another example - Let’s say that now that the world is opening up again, you’re looking forward to lunch with someone in your network. You can be sure that the topic of the pandemic will come up. Maybe they had COVID or someone in their family had it and as they begin to tell their story. Be cautious about jumping right in to share how you dealt with it, or how one of your family members got sick, or whatever your experience was. If you take over the conversation too early, you are no longer listening to their story with empathy and interest. Instead, you will have hijacked their conversation. They are no longer the speaker, but the “captive listener” to your story. Don’t let this happen! Be an active listener not an active talker!

Next, we have Humble Hannah. She is more of an introvert and is perfectly happy to let you talk about yourself… maybe for the entire lunch. Hannah is uncomfortable sharing the spotlight and will more than likely downplay anything that might have happened during the pandemic. You might be all excited because you can talk all about your background, experience, what you could do for her. Throughout all of this, Hannah doesn’t claim any space for herself.

If you ever notice that the conversation feels one-sided because you’re doing all the talking, you might be talking to a Humble Hannah! Your best move in a case like this is to create space for your conversational partner. Invite them into it by asking something like, “What about you? What was your experience with that?” or “What about you? How did you get to where you are today?” and then, most importantly, wait quietly. Give them the space to claim their own ground in your shared conversation.

Ok – so now we’re clear on what balance does NOT look like. We’ve checked in with Hijack Harry, who takes over the conversation. And we’ve visited with Humble Hannah, who struggles to bring her own voice to the table.

What does balance look like?

I’d like to introduce you to Balanced Bailey. During a networking conversation, Bailey focuses first on you, and even stays there for a beat. She brings herself into the conversation briefly, and then moves back to you again. Bailey strives for balance between the speakers so she takes small actions to help make that happen. You feel listened to, and you’ve also heard from her.

I call this rhythm: “You, You, Me, You” (YYMY). I talk about the YYMY rhythm extensively in my book, appropriately titled, You, You, Me, You: the art of talking to people, networking, and building relationships.

Whenever you are in a networking conversation, I encourage you to be like Bailey and strive for balance by thinking in terms of YYMY.

Here is what that looks like:

Y: Start by focusing on the person you’re speaking with.

Y: Stay there for a beat and ask a few questions about what they’re saying. This will help them feel listened to and you’ll learn a little more.

M: Talk about yourself, using something that your conversational companion has said as a base. “You mentioned that you love museums. I do, too! My favorite is…” When you do this, you create connection between yourself and your companion while also sharing something about yourself.

Y: Bring it back to them.

What next? Try it! Next time you’re in a networking conversation, try the YYMY rhythm. And then come back here and let me know what happened!

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Conducting Your First Post-Pandemic Networking Conversation

May 17, 2021

Building a broad professional network to support your career requires a strategy, time, and effort. Let’s be honest, the past year has presented many career challenges and one of them was our relationship building in a virtual world. Not having face-to-face opportunities at networking events, association meetings, or over has left many of us feeling less connected than we would like.

I’ve heard from many of my colleagues: “I can’t wait to get together for coffee or lunch. We have so much to catch up on!”

How true it is! Who doesn’t have a story to tell about what has happened to them or to others they know? I can see it now… one person starts talking and you start to say, “That happened to me, too!” It creates a ping-pong conversation.

If your intent is to reconnect and rejuvenate your relationship, I recommend spending more time listening to the other person’s story before you begin to tell yours.

That’s right, I said it. Do not talk. Not yet.

Instead say something like, “Before we talk about me, I want to hear more about you.”

Saying something like this will make them feel listened to. They’ll appreciate having the space in the conversation to share their recent experiences. And all of those positive feelings will be remembered as how you made them feel.

So, spend some time during your conversation really focusing on your companion and what their experience was.

I’m not saying that you don’t get to talk. I’m saying don’t talk yet. Take your time getting to you. When they’ve gone a bit into their story and you’ve asked a few questions, then you can talk.

This is just the beginning of the networking framework that I offer through my book, You, You, Me, You: The art of talking to people, networking, and building relationships. It’s especially relevant right now, when we’re all getting reconnected.

I hope you’ll try it out. If you do, let me know how it goes!

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How to Be Prepared for Networking

May 3, 2021

What a difference a year makes!

In 2020, we were learning how to navigate our professional lives without the benefit of physical face-to-face interaction. We had to figure out how to stay connected virtually, and still have meaningful networking conversations. Whether you were looking for a new job or just trying to keep the networking fires burning, it was an adventure.

A year later – spring of 2021 – already feels so much better. As the world slowly opens up (or promises to), we are blooming in a new way. I feel like I’ve been living underground for a year and I’m finally able to emerge into the sunshine.

The networking world is different now, and we need to be in tune with that. While we will be able to have face-to-face meetings once again, we’ve also learned how to use Zoom and other forms of technology to stay connected and we can expect that we’ll keep using them. For one reason, some people may be more cautious before they venture out into the physical world and will choose to remain out of the face-to-face world a bit longer.

And also, the virtual world has brought us some important benefits! We can be more flexible with when we meet. We can connect with people who are a significant distance away without having to negotiate or spend the travel time. Those are just two big benefits that I hope we’ll hold on to.

But there’s another side to this. Some people simply do better face-to-face.

For job seekers in particular, if you prefer in person conversations, not being able to connect in that way may have prolonged your job search.

One of my clients recently said to me: “If I could only get in front of someone face to face, I know I would present myself so much better.” As an extrovert, I can see this being a challenge. For me, there’s nothing better than being in close proximity with someone so that I can really feel like we’ve connected! Conversely, someone who is more introverted might be thriving in the virtual experience and feel reticent about returning to the in-person experience.

Whether you are an extrovert or an introvert, if you are looking for a job you will need to start re-connecting with your network

**To maximize this opportunity, I invite you to lean in to one of the cornerstones of job searching: Be prepared.**

Be prepared with your networking strategy before you enter the job market. It is the most effective way to find your next role.

Be prepared to have conversations about what you are looking for in your new position so that whenever you are in a position to talk about it, you know what to say.

Be prepared to not just talk, but also listen. Listening will help you leave an amazingly good impression and that will help people remember you.

Be prepared to be uncomfortable with in-person experiences. It’s ok to feel that way, and you probably won’t be the only one. It is going to take us time to break back out into the world.

Be prepared to have both virtual and in-person conversations. While we’re moving into a new norm, our new skills from this last year will continue to serve us.

I hope this helps you think a little more intentionally about what you have ahead of you in this next year. There are so many opportunities coming your way! The best thing that you can do is to be prepared for whatever they are.

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How to Start Reconnecting With Your Network

April 19, 2021

As you get ready to reconnect with your network, you might have some questions. How do you get started? What do you need to do? How can you best prepare?

I’m glad you’re asking these questions, because you’ll get better results if you don’t just go about it randomly.

Instead, let’s be strategic about this.

Below are three questions along with related action steps that you can take to get yourself moving in the right direction.

1. WHO will you connect with first?

Write down the names of the people who come to mind.

Maybe there are people you wished you could have connected with during the pandemic? Or people that you stopped talking to because of it?

If you have a calendar from previous years (I tend to keep one back 2-3 years), use it to help you develop your list.

Also check out your LinkedIn connections. This is a great resource because you can get an update of their recent activities at the same time.

2. WHAT will you say?

Compose a draft email of what you want to say.

The reason I want you to create a draft is because you’ll be able to say similar things to each person you reach out to. Start with the draft and then customize it for each of them.

While you’re thinking about what to write, I suggest you don’t spend too much time focusing on the pandemic. Everyone will be writing about that. Definitely reference it, but spend more time inquiring about them and setting up the opportunity to have an in person or virtual conversation where you can better connect.

In my book about relationship building, I offered a simple framework to follow: You, You, Me, You. The focus is on the person you are reconnecting with, there will be time for you later.

3. HOW will you send it?

Their business email address is fine. But if you have more of a personal connection, using their personal email could help you reach them and improve the chance of them responding.

Want to make a better impression than that? Send a handwritten note. If you have personalized stationery, use it! Everyone gets so many emails. Receiving a personal note in the mail clearly shows you took the effort, and it helps you stand out. If you usually communicate via LinkedIn messaging, you can also use that to re-connect.

We all have been on a journey this past year, which has been filled with both joy and heartache. It is exciting to be able to connect again! If we can be strategic about how we do so, we can make the most of this opportunity.

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Why You Should Network When You Already Have a Job

Why You Should Network When You Already Have a Job

March 8, 2021

Every time my clients secure a new job, we celebrate… and then we do a debrief.

One question I ask is: “What is the greatest lessons you learned during your search?”

They often reply with something like: “I am going to keep networking because I realized I let it fall apart and that made my job search harder.”

But then they don’t do that and that is unfortunate.

It’s understandable. They become busy very quickly with onboarding into their new role, getting to know their new colleagues, and digging into what they were hired to do.

When they answer my question, they mean well. They have learned the value of staying connected with their network and they want to maintain those connections.

They know the relationships they built during their search were invaluable to finding their job.

However, they don’t see the need right then. They let it lapse, thinking they’ll get back to it later… but then they stay distracted and they never do get back to it.

Another reason why they don’t stay connected to their new network is that they missed the fact that networking is building relationships for a mutual benefit.

It is like a garden that needs watering, weeding, and effort throughout the season. You give to the garden during its growing season, and it will give back to you through the food that grows as a result of your tending.

Keeping your network alive is not only for present needs, but future ones that you don’t even know about. And during the time that you don’t need the help, you can provide support to others.

I think that most people forget that networking is about give and take.

I’m happy to say that not all of my clients forget this lesson.

One of my recent clients clearly understood the importance of staying in touch after she landed in her new job.

Olivia (her real name, used with permission) reached out to me to catch up after being in her new job for 6 months. Not only did Olivia call me, but she also follows me on social media with comments and likes, and she even occasionally shares my posts. She has maintained our relationship long after our work together was complete.

During our conversation, I asked Olivia why she reached out to me.

She said, “You invited me to reach out in six months to let you know how I was doing in my new role.”

I was impressed because that is the advice I give to all of my clients, though few of them follow through. I tell them to reach out to me and also to the other people who helped them in their search.

I was thrilled to hear from her!

We had a great conversation hearing about her role, the challenges she was facing, and she also asked how I was doing as well.

Olivia understands the value and benefit of staying in touch.

Keeping your network alive while you are working is challenging and takes time. What if you find yourself in the job market again? It’ll happen, more than likely than not. Do you want to have a solid network to reach out to for help?

I hope your answer is “Yes!”

One thing I know for sure: It’s easier to find a new job when you have a network that’s already up and running.

The last thing any of us wants to do is start stringing together a new network when times are desperate. That’s an uncomfortable process and honestly, it’s harder to pull together a quality network when you start by asking for help.

Instead: Pull together a network of high-quality contacts when you don’t need it. Support the people in your network with any help you can give, and then they’ll be there when you need to do the asking.

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Why and How to Stay Connected to Your Network (even when you have a job)

March 8, 2021

I talk often about staying in touch with your network, even while you have a job and aren’t looking for a new one… yet.

This is because building and maintaining relationships with your network is not only for when you need something. The best networks are built upon mutual reciprocity which you can achieve by giving more than you are receiving.

By staying connected with your network while you are employed you will be able to:

Hear about the challenges in your industry, trends and valued skills and experience
Build a broader network where you can help others when they need it
Identify what “hot skills” hiring managers are seeking
Develop stronger relationship building skills (practice, practice, practice!)
Foster a relationship where your contacts think of you when they hear about relevant opportunities
Engage with your network quickly when you do need them, especially when you have lost your job.

In short, keeping your network active will increase your chances of finding a new job sooner than if you ignore your contacts and let your network fade away. And if you don’t stay active with your network, that’s exactly what will happen!

If you are not actively keeping your network alive, it is not too late! Here are 3 things you can do right now:

Make a list of 10-15 people who were instrumental in your last job search or have provided you with great career advice.
Reach out to them on LinkedIn or email and ask to set up a virtual coffee chat to hear about what they are up to.
Send a “thinking of you” email focusing on them

Take action: Which one of these three things will you do? Please tell me in the comments below.

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How to Have a Networking Conversation

How to Have a Networking Conversation

March 8, 2021

Communicating with people in your network can be tricky.

Everyone likes to talk about themselves… even you. It’s a natural human way of being.

BUT that approach won’t serve you when you are engaging in a networking conversation.

The goal of networking is to build a mutual relationship built on trust. You need to let them know that you are here to help them, and that you would like them to help you as well.

With this goal in mind, it’s important to go into a conversation with a plan to focus more on them than on yourself. When you do this, they’ll go away feeling good about themselves, and therefore they’ll feel good about the conversation and about you.

I talk about this in detail in my book, You, You, Me, You, The art of Talking to People, Networking, and Building Relationships.

Here are some key notes to get you started:

Let’s say you’re going into a virtual coffee chat with someone in your network that you already know and have spoken with before. You can use my concept easily during this call.

It draws on 4 simple words:

Hint: That final You, is the most important part.

Here’s what that conversation sounds like:

Focus on YOU:
Mary, I am so glad we were able to find the time to catch up. I noticed you recently (commented on a social media post / took an action). That made me think of you so I’m glad we’re able to connect.

Focus on YOU:
So tell me, what have you been doing since the last time we talked?
Or
The last time we talked, you mentioned ________. How is that going?

Focus on ME:
You mentioned _________. I can relate because I am going through something very similar.
Or
I’m doing well. (then share something that you think they might find interesting or something that you would like her to know about what you are doing.)

Focus on YOU:
Mary, it has been so great catching up. Let’s not wait so long next time. Good luck with your work situation and if you need some advice or help in the future, please do not hesitate to reach out. You have always been so helpful to me when I’ve need advice.

Consider scheduling the next time on your calendar before the end of the call, though it’s ok to leave it open.

Take it one step further by following up with an email within 48 hours to reiterate how much you enjoyed catching up and you look forward to your next conversation.

There’s one thing in the above conversation that I hope you noticed: Begin where you ended.

You’ll ease into a conversation more smoothly if you start with where you left off. The fact that you remember will let them know that they are important and that you are invested in the relationship.

Do you want to make sure you're happy in your next job?

Use this worksheet to clarify what you need in the next company you work for.

Why & How to Use LinkedIn Even When You Do Have a Job

August 9, 2021

LinkedIn is the ideal place to keep your network alive while you are working.

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Looking for a Job? Do This Every Day on LinkedIn.

July 26, 2021

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How to Have Balanced Networking Conversations and Leave a Great Impression

May 31, 2021

Whenever you are in a networking conversation, I encourage you to be like Bailey and strive for balance by thinking in terms of YYMY.

Do you want to make sure you're happy in your next job?

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Conducting Your First Post-Pandemic Networking Conversation

May 17, 2021

If your intent is to reconnect and rejuvenate your relationship, I recommend spending more time listening to the other person’s story before you begin to tell yours.

Do you want to make sure you're happy in your next job?

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How to Be Prepared for Networking

May 3, 2021

To maximize this opportunity, I invite you to lean in to one of the cornerstones of job searching: Be prepared.

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How to Start Reconnecting With Your Network

April 19, 2021

1. WHO will you connect with first?

2. WHAT will you say?

3. HOW will you send it?

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Why You Should Network When You Already Have a Job

March 8, 2021

Do you want to make sure you're happy in your next job?

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Why and How to Stay Connected to Your Network (even when you have a job)

March 8, 2021

Do you want to make sure you're happy in your next job?

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How to Have a Networking Conversation

March 8, 2021

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About the Book

**To maximize this opportunity, I invite you to lean in to one of the cornerstones of job searching: Be prepared.**