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Polish Still Matters

August 12, 2011 By

I recently met with two professionals; both are incredibly competent in their fields and offered excellent advice.

The first professional has truly worked on their delivery – sitting up straight, punctuation, self-confidence and keep remarks to the point. As you might expect, the second professional was less so.

Here’s why it matters.

ONE: Effectiveness – The meeting subject was similar in complexity, yet the second meeting took nearly twice as long and only completed 50% of what we set out to complete. I found myself pulling the meeting back on course or clarifying points because of meandering answers.

TWO: My focus – I was so distracted by their behavior, that I found myself thinking of the next meeting, even thought I needed to complete this topic.

THREE: Time – Had it not been mandatory, I would have moved on.

In job search, we focus a good deal of time on the message and content. So simply make sure you are matching that content with delivery.

Delivery is more than words, but the entire package of how you present yourself. This is why I pointed out the different elements above; because each has an effect on the person you meet.

Working on your delivery is where a good friend will come in handy. Just go to coffee, don’t tell them the intent, after a half-hour ask them how you are doing.

Sure, chances are you’ll be on best behavior, but consider it practice. Trust me; having done this exercise, you’ll get some good feedback.

Good luck today!

Mark Richards

www.candidateschair.com

Job Search from a Candidate’s Perspective – Advice and tools for search organization and networking

Candidates Chair LinkedIn Group:http://www.linkedin.com/groupRegistration?gid=2328268

Filed Under: First Impressions, Networking

Easy Way to Get Exposure – Tweet to @JobAngels

September 10, 2010 By

JobAngels.org has gotten so much traffic that it’s really an amazing resource. They will issue a tweet on your behalf – which will result in your LinkedIn profile, personal blog/website in getting a fair number of views

Here’s how it works: 

1) Assuming you have a Twitter account, follow @JobAngels (if you don’t have one, it just takes a few minutes to set-up) 

2) @JobAngels will do an auto-follow back to you

3) Send direct message to @JobAngels include: Name, industry, geography, position and tinyurl link to their linkedin account, website, etc.)

4) Tweets goes to 15,000+ followers

I spoke with the founder of JobAngels, Mark Stelzner, and he sees that people are getting up to several hundred views as a result of their @JobAngels tweet

This is a simple action to get some great exposure.

Be sure to share @JobAngels with your colleagues – both those in transition and those you like to help!  It’s such a great concept and organization.

Cheers,

Mark

Filed Under: Networking, Social Media, Social Networking, Twitter Tagged With: ,

Keeping Your Back Away from the Wall

August 21, 2010 By

One of my practices for effective networking: Keep your back away from the wall.

Why? It’s one of the best methods to minimize your distractions.

There are two reasons why I’m writing on a topic that most people would think is pretty obvious: minimize distractions. The first reason is important.  The second reason is just killer.

FIRST: Because distractions can repeatedly sneak up on you during a meeting, it’s not always obvious for the candidate.

Most of us out networking spend a fair amount of time in coffee shops.  It’s a natural part of the experience to take in your surroundings, watch interesting people, etc.

It happens almost every time I meet a fellow candidate, they don’t even realize their gaze has wandered. I’m talking about total professionals with impeccable resumes, references, etc. – yet several times during our meeting their gaze is elsewhere.

SECOND: When speaking, the candidate’s eyes are fixed on me, because they are focused on their pitch. Their gaze wanders when I’m speaking. Ouch.

After awhile, it becomes difficult to tell if I’m a total bore or are they oblivious to their level of distraction.  I have to admit I’m relieved to hear the candidate mention what they are looking at so intently.  At least it makes me feel less of a bore.

In my view, each meeting represents your one and only chance to make a sale.  Don’t let some odd looking fellow get the way.

The ability to make the sale is most often judged by your ability to show that the meeting is truly a ‘networking’ meeting.  If can achieve that, it sets you apart from the other people who have networked with the same contact.

You just cannot get there if you are not focused on the person – especially when they are sharing their insights with you.

Face the wall.  Take notes. Keep eye contact at all times (though don’t make it a staring contest).  Do whatever it takes to keep your focus.

Next time you go to coffee with a friend, face the wall.  See how much more you focus on them and count how often they look elsewhere and when.

This is a lesson from the networking trail, where the obvious is not always so.

Good luck today.

Mark

Filed Under: Networking, Networking efficiency

Never Justify “Just” Networking

June 27, 2010 By

Before my networking meetings, my wife usually asks me “Why are you meeting them?” You should be asking yourself that same question. In fact, you should have a three part answer.

ONE: How can you build a relationship with the person

TWO: How do they move you closer to a hiring manager or help you prep for an interview

THREE: What commitment(s) are you seeking from them (contact names, an introduction, advice, insight into a company, etc.)

If you don’t’ have a compelling answer, then seriously reconsider rescheduling the meeting until you can. My advice is to never justify networking for networking’s sake. Justify it because of what you can achieve from the meeting.

Why? Here are three reasons to reschedule if you are not ready.

ONE: The person did not agree to meet you, they agree to help you.

TWO: You are one of many people this person is meeting, so you only get one chance to impress

THREE: The best time ask for help is during the meeting, not in a follow-up e-mail.

In the midst of networking, especially after several months, it is easy to fall into a routine and treat each meeting the same. I can vouch for this with personal experience from both sides of the table.

So always remember to ask and answer “Why are you meeting them?” – it’s a great start to make sure you have a great meeting.

Good luck today!

Mark Richards

Filed Under: Featured Article, Networking, Networking Preparation

It Does Not Cost Anything to be Polite

February 18, 2010 By

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).

I know this seems like a basic topic and most people take their behavior for granted. However, I hear a ‘horror story’ every week about how bad a candidate was in their networking: showing up late, cutting answers short, being quick as a whip to dismiss ideas, etc.

Many times the behavior can be chalked up to cramming too much in a day and being eager to get their story out.

But I still hear the stories and if I hear about it – assume that dozens other have heard it as well.

The punchline: Do yourself a favor and just pay attention at a few meetings to make sure you are good to go.

Good luck today!

Mark Richards

www.candidateschair.com
Job Search from a Candidate’s Perspective – Advice and tools for search organization and networking

Candidates Chair LinkedIn Group:
http://www.linkedin.com/groupRegistration?gid=2328268

Filed Under: Being Polite, Networking

Polish Still Matters

February 18, 2010 By

I recently met with two professionals; both are incredibly competent in their fields and offered excellent advice.

The first professional has truly worked on their delivery – sitting up straight, punctuation, self-confidence and keep remarks to the point. As you might expect, the second professional was less so.

Here’s why it matters.

ONE: Effectiveness – The meeting subject was similar in complexity, yet the second meeting took nearly twice as long and only completed 50% of what we set out to complete. I found myself pulling the meeting back on course or clarifying points because of meandering answers.

TWO: My focus – I was so distracted by their behavior, that I found myself thinking of the next meeting, even thought I needed to complete this topic.

THREE: Time – Had it not been mandatory, I would have moved on.

In job search, we focus a good deal of time on the message and content. So simply make sure you are matching that content with delivery.

Delivery is more than words, but the entire package of how you present yourself. This is why I pointed out the different elements above; because each has an effect on the person you meet.

Working on your delivery is where a good friend will come in handy. Just go to coffee, don’t tell them the intent, after a half-hour ask them how you are doing.

Sure, chances are you’ll be on best behavior, but consider it practice. Trust me; having done this exercise, you’ll get some good feedback.

Good luck today!

Mark Richards

www.candidateschair.com
Job Search from a Candidate’s Perspective – Advice and tools for search organization and networking

Candidates Chair LinkedIn Group:http://www.linkedin.com/groupRegistration?gid=2328268

Filed Under: First Impressions, Networking