Day 45 - Networking Recap

Today I am going to a field trip with Tanner to the zoo. There will be four other parents there...this is a time to network. I know I already did a snippet on networking, but let's revisit some of the more important topics.

• GET CONNECTED - there are a number of social networking sites where you can get in touch with both friends and family. The most commonly used (as sited in The Social Media Bible) are Facebook, LinkedIn, and MySpace. For our uses, I suggest the first two. LinkedIn is strictly business - great for posting your resume and soliciting recommendations from former employers. I have been told by those who have recently been searching for jobs that prospective employers ask about your LinkedIn profile - so it's best to have one. Facebook is a more respected version of personal social networking. I was not into the social networking until about 2 months ago. I can honestly say, it has put me in touch with some old friends who have really reached out since my job search began. It is a great tool to direct friends/family to your resume on LinkedIn. I try to connect to as many people as I can and I put the message out every other day or so that I am still looking.
• STAY CONNECTED - You can't just put your message out there in cyberspace and expect people to go to it. You have to bring them there. Exchange information with everyone you see. If you forget to exchange information with someone you meet, look them up on one of the social networking sites so you can get in touch with them. Contact them (either directly or indirectly) at least once/week. I post notes and write in my blog and then direct my contacts there. You are not networking if you don't continue the contact and if you don't exchange information.
• STAND OUT - I would like to say that I am the brainchild behind my blogging, but I am not. Genie suggested I start a blog because I want to get into social networking as a job. I am a good rambler and I have a lot to say. What better medium for me to use other than just standing out on the street and talking until someone stops and listens (I am not beyond that though!). Do something where people will want to come look at your networking sites (funny pet videos would bring ME to your site).
• SET A GOAL TO REACH OUT - If you are not outgoing, just go out somewhere and meet ONE new person a day for the next 3 days. Once you have mastered that, then go out and meet one new person and exchange information with that person (make up some business cards that say your name/number/email). Do that everyday. Once you feel comfortable with one person/day...up it to two. Before you know it, you will know a lot more people and those people (as long as you STAY connected) are more eyes and ears for your job search.
• NETWORK INDIRECTLY - Use LinkedIn/Facebook to search for people you haven't talked to in awhile. I am contacting a lifetime of old friends. I try to connect to 5 new people/day. I am still searching. I can't remember people's last names, so I just wait until it comes to me and then I write it down for the next day's search. Some people aren't on LinkedIn, but they know someone who is...see if you can't find some elementary school friends. I look for little/big brothers of girls I went to school with.

This is a good start to networking. I will be addressing this more, the closer we get.

As you develop your network, share it with others. If I know someone wants a job at Home Depot, I reach out to my friend who has worked at Home Depot for 15 years for some names. Any connection could be a potential job for you or someone else. Stay positive and good luck!