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The Liquor Store Joke – A Lesson in Asking for Help

December 15, 2008 By Mark

I was standing in line at the liquor store with a six pack in hand and could not help but notice the man in front of me.  He had three cases of beer, a dozen bottles of wine, and several bottles of scotch, gin, brandy and whiskey. 

I leaned forward and said “Looks like you’re going to have a heck of a party”

The man turned around and replied “Nope, just trying to build up the courage to go to confession.”

Asking for help can be hard, especially from people you just meet, but it’s a necessary part of networking.

Remember that the people that agree to meet with you are also agreeing to help you.   With your search documents and pitch in order, you give them everything necessary to provide that help.   Also, you will be surprised by how many successful people have been through transition – so they understand.

Being prepared (hopefully, without a trip to the liquor store) will give you the confidence to ask for help.

Filed Under: F. Getting Out There Tagged With: Asking for help, Liquor Store Joke

20 minutes early is not on time

December 15, 2008 By Mark

Whoever came up with that rule that you should arrive twenty minutes early obviously never spend twenty minutes trying to make idle chit-chat with a receptionist who had other work to do.  

Repeat after me:  Show up on time.

If the appointment is at 2 p.m., then arrive at 1:58.  You just have to be on time.  How often when you were working did you show up at someone’s office 20 minutes early?   If someone wants to meet you earlier they’ll call.  Trust me.

More importantly time is a key commodity, especially as you ramp up the networking.  20 minutes is a couple of phone calls to confirm meeting, make an appointment to your hair done, ring up a friend to arrange a beer (if you’re in transition, you’ll need one).

Filed Under: F. Getting Out There Tagged With: Showing up on time

My BIG Networking Mistake

December 15, 2008 By Mark

Here’s one of my biggest mistakes.  When I was targeting firms for CFO roles, I initially focused on networking contacts who would ‘hear’ about opportunities – generally lawyers, bankers, etc.

My big mistake was not initially talking with fellow CFOs.   At first, I thought “Why talk to that firm, they have a CFO”.   What a bonehead.

Q: Guess who gets the call when CFO role comes open?  

A: People who are currently sitting in the CFO chair.

People who hold a role today get the call to see if either they are interested or know people that are interested.

Guess what.  If I had met with these people, they would know I am interested.

Filed Under: F. Getting Out There Tagged With: Networking mistakes

Get an introduction to improve your odds

December 15, 2008 By Mark

You have your immediate network, so to get started, you should ask them to make your initial introductions.   Those introductions lead to more introductions which will lead to opening doors critical to putting the odds in your favor.

Job search is not always fair.  The best candidate does not always get the job.  In fact, their resume may not even get reviewed.    Why?   They did not get a chance to tell their story.

 So get an introduction to networking contacts to help you get in the door.

Filed Under: F. Getting Out There Tagged With: Getting an introduction, Networking Introductions

It was Curiosity, not Persistence that Killed the Cat

December 15, 2008 By Mark

Some of my best networking meetings came after repeated attempts to connect with the person.  I mean two e-mails or calls with no response.

Even if the connection is strong between the person being contacted and the person who referred you, it does not mean an immediate response.   Your e-mail/call may on hit them on a travel day, in budget meetings or vacation.   So don’t assume the worse, try again.

Only rarely did I get an e-mail back that the person did not apologize for being slow that was quickly followed with an offer to get together.

Looking at it another way, what employer would want an employee to quit working an issue at the first roadblock?

Filed Under: F. Getting Out There Tagged With: Persistence, Setting up networking meeting

How many hours a week should you search?

December 15, 2008 By Mark

There’s a saying “The problem with unemployment is that when you wake up, you’re on the job.” – Actually that’s not completely true, though it does feel like it.

Outplacement firms and fellow candidates will recommend you spend 35 – 40 hours a week on search. After 40 hours, your productivity begins to slide.

In discussions with fellow candidates, we all agree as you tend to focus on issues with diminishing returns – but it is also a way to drag down your attitude which is even worse than wasting time.

Your weekly priorities should be to dedicate time to your search and then dedicate time to yourself.

Use the extra time to take some on-line courses/seminars to develop your skills, volunteer, etc. – it does not matter. Just think of all the stuff you never had time to do when you were working. If you can, sleep in on Wednesday.

The non-search activities allow you to make progress and accomplish tasks.

For ideas on your schedule, take a look under Candidates Tools, you will find “Organizing Your Search Week”

Filed Under: F. Getting Out There Tagged With: Hours per week, Organize Search Week

How many networking sites should I join?

December 15, 2008 By Mark

There are a number of excellent social networking sites.  Not having been in every industry or country, I cannot comment which sites are best for a particular industry or profession (perhaps you can share your thoughts via the Candidates’ Blog). 

 So here’s my advice: Start with one network, figure out how it works, and use its potential.   It’s how you use the site that matters.

When I first joined LinkedIn, I built a profile and got connected to people.  Then that was it.  Can’t say I did much more.   That’s been a common theme in my discussions with other candidates “I’m on LinkedIn.  Now what?”

After dedicating more time to work with different functions,  (see the Toolkit for the “Using LinkedIn for Networking” or do a Google Search), I now run three groups, do loads of research, etc. – but I still have loads to learn.  

Filed Under: F. Getting Out There Tagged With: Linkedin, Social Networking sites

Finding Your Matt: Professional Groups are Excellent Networks

December 15, 2008 By Mark

For Finance people like me, the FENG (Financial Executives Networking Group) is an amazing source for networking.  FENG was born out of Matt Bud’s job transition and today hosts over 36,000 senior finance professionals. 

Members can reach out to one another directly and each night there is a national newsletter with commentary by Matt, meeting notices and job listings.   Finding FENG opened up a whole new world of networking and gave a turbo boost to my search.

Professional groups can be a great source of support and networking.  Many groups have services dedicated to job transition.  Even though people are in the same profession, they are not always looking for the same jobs.  Also, members are usually open to connecting to one another, especially those who have been in transition.

Writer’s note:  Matt Bud’s Blog offers great insight to networking.  Check it out at www.thefeng.org

Filed Under: F. Getting Out There Tagged With: FENG, Matt Bud, Professional Groups

It Does Not Cost Anything to be Polite

December 15, 2008 By Mark

I heard Tubby Smith, the University of Minnesota’s head basketball coach, tell a story about his upbringing which included his parents’ advice: “It does not cost anything to be polite”.

That’s a saying you should take to heart when networking for a new job.

Here’s my rule: Besides feeling good about yourself – in networking you never know who knows who – so just be polite to everyone.

This is not to say you’ll be tempted.   I experienced people who were pretty rude, to which I simply closed down the meeting quickly and moved on.   For the really bad ones, I cursed when I got into the car (windows rolled up, of course).

Filed Under: F. Getting Out There Tagged With: Being Polite, Polite

The Question that Ends a Meeting Quickly

December 15, 2008 By Mark

“So tell me what your company does?”

When I get this one, I start thinking about what else I need to do today.  Why?  Despite having LinkedIn, ZoomInfo, Company websites, etc., it tells me that this person across the table has not even taken 5 minutes to do a simple search.

See the tool “10 Questions to Understand a Company” – whether your contact is a CEO, CFO, lawyer or banker – you can use these questions to understand what they do.

If you are meeting a service provider (lawyer, banker, etc.) most of them have extensive websites with explanation of services, biographies, etc.

Use your time for discussion to understand their background and clarify issues about the business.   The more you move beyond chit-chat, the more you connect and find out ways to make yourself memorable.

Filed Under: F. Getting Out There Tagged With: Networking Meeting, Questions

Extending the ‘4 week window’ – Being memorable

December 15, 2008 By Mark

The most difficult element in networking is getting those you’ve met to remember you.

In your initial networking meeting, besides sharing your targeted role and background, you want to establish a reason for that person to take a vested interest in you.  (Even if you already received three more names to contact).

Why?  Welcome to the 4 Week Window – This is the two weeks prior and the two weeks after your networking meeting.

  • Two weeks prior: Chances are when you meet your networking contact will not have any recent opportunities through their network.

  

  • Two weeks after:  After the meeting, your networking contact heads back to meetings, deadlines and their blackberry.   If you made a good impression, they are likely to remember you for about two more weeks and forward something they hear about.

 

Unless you get lucky on your timing, most network contacts will not have any opportunities for you in that 4 week period.  Building that vested interest is critical to help them remember you and your goal beyond the window.

Ideas on how to establish/build a vested interest

  • Pre-meeting homework: Find out what you can about your contact (work history, college, home town, boards, etc.).  Even the smallest connection can help start a conversation that will help them keep you in mind.
  • Practice the 80% rule at your networking meeting:  80% of your networking should be figuring out what you can do for the other person.  A two-way conversation helps tremendously in building a relationship.   You might be looking for a new role, but don’t forget that your network might help them.  
  • Develop your connections:  Keep your common interests or their business needs in mind and reach out to them with items of interest (e.g. alumni events for college, business opportunities, etc.)
  • Make introductions that help their business:  As you continue to network, make mutually beneficial introductions within your network.  Bringing people together to grow their business is a great way to become a valuable resource.
Filed Under: F. Getting Out There Tagged With: 4 Week Window, 80% Rule of Networking, Being Memorable

Recruiters/On-line – Get your chips on the table

December 15, 2008 By Mark

While networking offers the majority of positions, you want to make sure yourself on the on-line job boards (I’d pick a couple that seem to carry the jobs you seek) and into recruiters.  Get as many chips on the table – you never know what bet pays off.

Based on what I’ve read, a given recruiter is likely to have one or two jobs a year that might fit your background.   But you’re only looking for one role.  So get your name into them.    See the Candidate’s Tools for the E-mail template for making an intial introduction to a recruiter.

Remember that recruiters are like any other networking contact – you are more likely to get attention if you get a good referral.

Filed Under: F. Getting Out There Tagged With: On-line job boards, Recruiters

Top 10 Lessons Learned from My Career Search **

December 15, 2008 By Mark

Tom and I met during my transition and he shared this list to help me along.  I thought it was great, so I asked him if I could publish, thankfully for all of us, Tom agreed.

Copyright 2009 – Tom Kulikowski.  Reproduced on the “Candidate’s Chair” with Tom’s permission.

1.       You have total control of the two most important elements of your career search – EFFORT and ATTITUDE. You will distinguish yourself by the EFFORT you put forth and the ATTITUDE you convey.

2.       Set goals and record accomplishments – creates a purpose for what you do, guides your activities, and satisfies the need to measure and recognize progress.

3.       Organize ruthlessly and frequently – you can never be too organized. Develop a schedule and write it down, a routine that works for you – random motion rarely gets you where you want to go.

4.       Reconnect and give back – reconnect with your family in meaningful ways, with friends, classmates, business associates, and neighbors whose company you enjoy. Give back to those who can benefit from the talents and treasure with which you’ve been blessed. You have the time.

5.        Uncover your strengths – once discovered learn how to productively use and develop them. The book, Strengths Finders 2.0 is a terrific resource for identifying and capitalizing on your 5 greatest strengths.

6.       Learn what it takes to build and sustain high performance teams and be viewed as a leader – many of us will be part of matrixed organizations with a defined span of control but superior results will come from influencing others over whom we don’t have direct control, the ability to influence without authority. Many models out there.

7.        You are not going to find your dream job or even your next position by trolling the internet. Sitting at a desk surfing the net is alluring but the probabilities are low, about like playing the lottery. Just like most of us don’t bank on hitting the lottery to fund our retirement, don’t bank on scouring the internet for the job for which you are the ideal candidate. I don’t know of anyone who has landed a prime position this way. Post your resume with national recruiters and select job boards.

8.       Don’t fall in love – with any one opportunity to the exclusion of all else. Don’t allow yourself to be seduced or become infatuated and forget about nurturing all the other seeds you have  planted and continue to plant those you have yet to sow.

9.       Get out of the house (with a purpose) – connect with as many recruiters and networking contacts as possible, but don’t expect immediate gratification.

10.    Create a lasting memory – for yourself and for your contacts. Make this one of the best, most rewarding times of your life – indulge your interests and uncover your passions.

a.       Do something memorable that you and those that accompany you will remember fondly and talk about for years – a special vacation, a getaway, indulgent weekend, a charitable activity

b.      Leave the impression that you want with contacts, something that they can latch onto that is distinctive and follow up with them to express appreciation.

Final thought: You are one day further from your past and one day closer to your future. As  when driving, focus most of your attention on the road ahead and only check the road behind on occasion to maintain perspective.

Copyright © 2009 Thomas J. Kulikowski

Filed Under: F. Getting Out There Tagged With: Lessons Learned, Top 10 Lessons