The Power of Networking: Maximize networking as a strategy for finding and getting the job or career that you want

It is said that 80% of filled jobs are unpublished or “hidden”. So how can do we find out about these jobs? …by networking

87% of job seekers find employment through Networking. According to “What Color is My Parachute,” 12 networking or informational interviews can result in 1 job offer. Networking is a critical strategy to tapping into the unpublished job market. As stated in the Riley Guide, “Networking is consistently cited as the Number 1 way to get a new job.” Another source, CareerXRoad’s Annual Sources of Hire Survey found that 34% of new hires brought in from outside an organization were due to employee referrals.

Definition: Networking is most often defined as the process of connecting and meeting with appropriate people in a specific industry or career focus area to find out more about what they do, what current needs exist and to develop a mutually supportive professional relationship. A two-way “word of mouth” support process that is proven to pave the way for the most fulfilling careers (through contacts and more contacts, etc.).

Contacts lead to interviews; interviews lead to jobs; and ultimately jobs lead to careers. Knowing the right people leads to opportunities for you to demonstrate your skills and talents. Remember that networking is a mutual two-way communication and information exchange process.

Following are a few tips that you should consider when networking:

1. Take a “netweaving approach” to networking. The goal is to gain information and referrals, not jobs at first. Through taking a mutual support approach and having a professional and positive presence, you will eventually find a job opportunity. Don’t focus on finding a job first, as you might not get the response you want, causing contacts to be on the defensive and unsupportive. Seek out those individuals who do what you would like to do and who do it well.

“Within only a few years, ‘Netweaving’ – a ‘Golden Rule’ and ‘Pay It Forward’ form of networking – has rapidly spread around the U.S., and now is beginning to spread around the world.” – J. Gitomer, The Little Black Book of Connections

2. Consider the “1 to 50 Principle.” It has been estimated that everyone knows at least fifty other people from various parts of their life, whether it be through work, church, community or volunteer activities, sports groups, professional associations, school, neighbors, family and friends. All of these individuals become relevant when considering networking. You can expand your list by using networking web sites, as each of the individuals you know will also know 50 or more people and the likelihood that several of these individuals will know someone who works in one of your target industries or jobs is very high.

Some recommended websites include:

o Downtown Women Club http://www.downtownwomensclub.com/dwc/index.php
o Face Book www.facebook.com
o Job-Hunt.org http://www.job-hunt.org/job-search-networking/job-search-networking.shtml
o LinkedIn www.linkedin.com
o Meet Up www.meetup.com
o My Space www.myspace.com
o Netweaving www.netweaving.com/home.htm
o Networking
Professionals www.networkingforprofessionals.com
o The Networking Gurus www.thenetworkinggurus.com

3. Follow-up and follow-through with contacts. There are a few recommended ways of getting in contact with referrals.

o Call or send a follow-up email to someone mentioned during a networking meeting within 48 hours of that referral being made. Make sure to reference your contact’s name to the referred person. It is recommended that you consider sending an email vs. call unless your contact recommends an initial phone call. You may also consider asking that your contact send an introductory email copying you to the referred person to help open the door for you.

o Send an approach letter to prospective networking contacts first via mail or email, then follow-up with a phone call. In the letter, you should reference your contact’s name, a quick reason for your letter for example: state that you are interested in finding out more about a particular industry, career path or job, and request a brief 15 to 30 minute meeting either via phone or in person over coffee. Also include in the note/letter that you are confident that your shared industry or backgrounds could provide for a mutually interesting and informative meeting (this ensures that your intentions are for a mutual connection rather than one-sided).

4. Once initial contact is made:

o Follow-up by phone or email to effectively, but politely reach the person. This shows that you are being respectfully persistent in making contact.

o Set a specific time for your meeting and stick to it. Be sure to arrive to your meeting a few minutes early or to call right on time. If you are planning to relocate, target locating contacts in your desired city.
o Research information related to your networking contact and the company he/she represents. Visit the company’s web site or Google the person, as he/she may be reported in industry journals, or may have authored articles or books. You could also locate more information via Linked-In, Facebook or other social networking sites.

o Prepare a list of questions to ask. It would be better to go prepared with a list of questions, rather than having a copy of your resume there, since this might be perceived as one-sided rather than as a mutual exchange meeting. You could always follow-up with a copy of your resume via email. Don’t forget to send a thank you note via email or mail to the person after your meeting within 24 hours. If you received a physical address from the person’s business card, it is recommended that you send a hand-written note, as the personal touch is appreciated, especially in this fast paced, email-centric society.

o Prepare a brief and clear 10 to 30 second “elevator speech” summary of your background and expertise. Include your educational background, years of experience if in a certain field, and your strengths. This can be used on the phone if you make contact. For your 15 to 30 minute meeting, prepare a 1 to 2 minute overview of your background and accomplishments.

o Don’t forget to ask for additional referrals from this contact prior to ending your meeting.

Remember that the higher the level of position you are applying for or hoping to get, the more networking you will need to incorporate into your job search plan.

Author: Jennifer Mosholder, President and Career Coach, Leading Org Solutions, LLC

Reinventing Yourself: Are You Living Your True Life Passion and Strengths?

Have you ever stayed up all night reading a book, working on a business or personal project, talking with a close friend, or doing something else that got you all jazzed up and energized? You most likely didn't care if you were tired the next morning. You may have even smiled while thinking about what you did during the next day at work.

Did you know that on average, the typical person changes careers 3 to 5 times in their lives and spends over 100,000 hours working during his/her lifetime. The worst of it is that
more than 60% of people do not enjoy or like their work and jobs. And according to Marcus Buckingham, "fewer than two out of ten of us get to play to our strengths at work most of the time."

Imagine doing what you LOVE every day and “working” but not really feeling like you are working, rather like you are at play.

Imagine working in a job where you are really good at doing what you do, let's say you are an accountant and great with numbers, always have been, however you are constantly complaining and bored. You dread going to work each day, but remember how much time, money and energy you put into your degree and in getting your CPA license, so you believe that this is what you should be doing for the rest of your life. During peak tax season, you spend over 80 hours a week working, including weekends and never see your two small kids and spouse. What many people don't know about you is that you have always loved photography. You take pictures every chance you get and even stay up late nights editing your photos and thinking of new techniques and ways to graphically enhance your photos. You have pictures on your walls at home from exotic and historical landmarks that you have visited over the past 10 years. The thought crosses your mind a few times that you would rather be taking pictures than working on spreadsheets all day long. But you think to yourself, no I can't do that. What if you did and had the opportunity and support to do what you love instead of what you hate? Even though you might be good at something doesn't mean it is something that you truly love to do or truly a strength.

Bottom line: Do you spend time just doing and focused on what you should be doing? Or do you focus on doing what you are really good at...and love? I know many of you might be thinking...if I really were to do what I love, I might not be able to lead the same life that I am now. I would ask, are you sure about that? Would you like to be one of the two of the ten that ultimately find true happiness and love what they do? Wouldn't you like to be the person that says to yourself, wow I am lucky to be doing what I am really good at and love to do? And to add to this...making a living at it too.

Here are a few suggestions on how you can get started on moving yourself in the direction of "reinventing yourself" or living your true life passion.


Give yourself permission to do what you love more often and make it a priority. Do activities related to your Passion each day even if it is only for 15 minutes to an hour a day.

When you have a decision to make, ask which option takes you closer to your Passion or supports your Passion.

Be willing to change and think of your Passion as becoming central to your life.
There are three principles that I believe in and center my coaching practice around. They are as follows:
Every person has true passion that translates into living his/her strengths, and if realized through his/her work, optimum work fulfillment can be achieved.

It is possible for all people to find or create work that utilizes their strengths and makes them happy at the same time, meets a need in our world, is financially viable and expresses their true passion.

To achieve this ideal, each person can discover his/her true passion through self-discovery and focus to ultimately be fulfilled.
So now is your chance to make a difference in your life and LIVE your true passion.

Author: Jennifer Mosholder, Career and Job Coach, Leading Org Solutions.

Change As An Opportunity Workshop - April 28th in Arvada, Colorado

Join us for this LIFE CHANGING workshop, a time for self-reflection and discovery. Now, more than ever, we are faced with questions about how to best leverage our talents to stay competitive in the workplace. With the recent economic downturn, we have seen an unprecedented number of downsizing / rightsizing organizational changes to address these new challenges in the marketplace.

Now is the time to TAKE CHARGE of your own future and career.

We are happy to offer this workshop in partnership with WomenOf.com and Paramount Transitions.



Location: WomenOf.com offices in Arvada, Colorado
Date/Time: April 28, 2009 - 8:00 am to 12 pm
Price: $65.00 per person

Key Workshop Objectives:

l. Identify common reactions to change and the impact emotional intelligence has to successful transitions.

2. Understand change from personal and organizational perspectives.

3. Navigate through change effectively and leverage your strengths in transition management.

4. Look at change as an opportunity.

5. Be accountable to yourself and move forward – develop your own “roadmap” and action plan.

Who should take this workshop:

If you are among the 3.5 million who have been laid off over the past year, re-entering the workforce, or need a change in your current job or career, you need this workshop? Or do you know of someone who is about to be laid off, recently laid off, looking to re-enter the workforce or change careers?

For the price of a nice meal out, you can change your future.

Feel free to forward this invitation to a friend or colleague who you think would benefit from attending this workshop.

Facilitators:

Jennifer Mosholder, M.Ed., President & Career Coach, Leading Org Solutions - Human Resources consultant and career/job coach, former corporate executive for multi-national companies

Sandra Thebaud, Ph.D., President & Executive Coach, Paramount Transitions - former Navy Lieutenant Commander and Military Psychologist, executive coach, and expert in Emotional Intelligence

About Companies:

Leading Org Solutions, LLC – Women and minority owned business based in Colorado. Provides human resources consulting solutions to companies, customized career and job coaching to individuals, transition management and other training solutions for both former military and non-military individuals and managers.

Paramount Transitions, LLC - Working in partnership with Leading Org Solutions is a women and minority owned business based in Colorado. Offers high quality services ranging from articles, individual coaching and professional workshops.

To register go to: www.emailinvite.eventbrite.com

All Transitions Begin with an Ending

It’s a simple concept, but one we rarely dwell on: All transitions begin with an ending. Think about the transitions in your life. Something ended before something new began. Being single ended before marriage began. Childhood ended before we became adults. An old job ended prior to starting a new one.

Sometimes endings are initiated by us and sometimes they are initiated by something outside of us. The transition process is certainly easier when we’re the ones initiating it, but either way, endings can be uncomfortable.

How we handle endings colors how we enter into the new beginning. Incomplete endings leave behind baggage we carry with us into the new beginning. This occurs most often in relationships, but can also happen with jobs, time management, goals, and so on.

All too often, we don’t pay enough attention to the endings in our lives. We think it’s easier to forget about them or move on as quickly as possible. Usually, however, it’s better to sit with the ending, so to speak, and the feelings that come along with it.

For example, “John” recently quit his job because he was tired of working for a boss who was always giving him extra work at the end of the day, which required him to work longer hours without pay. On top of that, his boss would often yell and point out the slightest mistakes he made during meetings in front of the entire department. Meanwhile, his boss played golf three times a week and called it “networking.” John found a new job within two days but never took the time to acknowledge the ending of his old job. He just wanted out quickly and was glad he found a new job so soon. Happy ending? Maybe – but it’s possible that John might start the new job carrying baggage from his old job. He may be sensitive to feedback from his boss and judge it as criticism. Or he may miss out on promotions due to his strict adherence to leaving on time whether or not the work is done.

Acknowledging an ending can be as simple as saying goodbye and as complicated as grieving. Here are some constructive ways to deal with endings:

Don’t ignore your feelings (i.e., feel them and act responsibly)
Write or talk to someone about your loss – there’s always a loss (i.e., what could have been)
Spend time with supportive people
Examine what led to the ending with someone who can be objective
Forgive yourself for any mistakes you made
Treat yourself to something special

Don’t let baggage from a previous experience keep you from taking full advantage and enjoyment of your new experience.

Author: Dr. Sandra Thebaud, President - Paramount Transitions & Licensed Psychologist www.paramounttransitions.com/

Copyright © 2009 Paramount Transitions

Leading Org Solutions, LLC partners closely with Paramount Transitions to offer dynamic Transition Management workshops. Visit our Workshops or Human Resources Consulting page for more details.