As a candidate, you still have work to do, but several trends in the recruiting world will work in your favor. CareerXRoads recently listed two of the the three trends impacting Talent Acquisition as a heightened focus on relationships and candidate experience.

Throughout my career, I've point to referrals and networking as key sources of candidates for employers. CareerXRoads shows that these are increasingly being used by companies. It is therefore important for a candidate to build a network that overlaps with his or her targeted companies.

Find a group of like minded people for networking. This is a great way to connect with others and (re)build your energy. You can benchmark and trouble shot, learn and share.

1. View LinkedIn profiles of people you admire, check the groups they belong to, and see which groups meet locally.
2. Google a career topic, hobby, or special interest AND networking to see groups related to those areas.
3. Check with your local chamber of commerce or church about groups with your focus.
4. Ask colleagues about the networking groups they belong to. 
   

Some of the best networking groups are small, informal gatherings. Don't dismiss a group just because of its size. Think about your networking goals. A small group might be perfect for you.

#Career #Networking

Photo taken by Julie L Bartimus at the "Origami in the Garden" display at The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, Illinois. #OrigamiTMA

Before you can begin to tell your story in an effective way, you need to understand your audience and decide on your focus.  This is true of business networking, job search networking, and job interviews.

Most of us, when left to our own devices, tell an unfocused story and don't lead the audience to the conclusion we would like them to reach.

Audience, Setting, and Goals

• Who is your audience?
• What is the setting?
• What are your goals for the conversation?

As these answers change, so should change the focus of the conversation. 

​#Networking #MondayMotivation

"But enough about me, let's talk about you … What do You think about me?"
~ CC Bloom, played by Bette Midler in "Beaches" 1988

When networking at events, do you think other people want to talk more about you or more about themselves?

(Not) surprisingly, people like to talk about themselves and are looking to do that at networking events. 

You don't need to overwhelm them with your accomplishments to impress them. You can impress them and create a strong rapport by showing a genuine interest in who they are, asking intelligent questions, and helping them connect with other people.

Additionally, networking is a conversation and not an interview. Ask a question, actively listen to the answer, comment on the answer, and ask for additional information.

You can help a shy person come out of their shell and direct the conversational stream of a talkative person.

To help connect with someone and increase rapport, here are a few questions to consider asking:

• How did you get started in this field?
• What are some interesting trends that you are noticing?
• How has the work changed? 
• How do you stay up-to-date in the field?
• If I wanted to learn more about ___, who would you recommend that I talk with?
• What do you enjoy most about your work/job? 
• What are some of your current frustrations/challenges?
• Which skills and personal characteristics have helped you be successful?
• What are some big challenges a career changer faces when entering this field/industry?
• What are the major ways technology is used across all functions in this industry? …in your company?

What are questions that you like to use when you meet a new person? Share your suggestions in the comments.

#Networking #NetworkingQuestions #ThursdayThoughts

​Professional networking is your ace up you sleeve when navigating your career.
 
To move past your current role, it is important to network with other professionals.

Through networking, you can:
 

• Learn new practices
• Identify trends
• Analyze vendors
• Benchmark initiatives
• Understand possible career paths
• Learn about other company cultures
• Discover new job openings

 
Even just a short time away from your day to day job can build your motivation and help you think about your work in new ways.
 
If you already are aware of professional networking opportunities, check the calendar for the next meetings.
 
If you don't know of professional networking opportunities in your area, ask colleagues. You can also review the LinkedIn profiles of industry colleagues to see which groups they belong to.

#Networking #MondayMotivation

#mondaymotivation #networking

​On of my favorite career and networking related books is "Quiet: the power of introverts in a world that can't stop talking" (1) by Susan Cain. As someone who has struggled with networking, Cain's stories and tips are enlightening and invigorating. 

If you struggle with networking, this is the book for you.

The strategies I've incorporated into my own life and share with clients include:
* Give yourself permission to grab some quiet time before and/or after networking.
* Set small and reasonable goals for yourself. I usually set the goal of meeting at least 2 new people at a meeting or sitting with people I don't know at meals.
* Develop positive networking habits similar to positive eating and exercise habits.
* Use your own strengths to excel in networking and leadership.

Read "Quiet." Get inspired. Make networking your own.

#WorldBookDay #ThursdayThoughts #ReadingMakesMe #Career
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Source
(1) Cain, Susan. (2012). Quiet: The power of introverts in a world that can't stop talking.

Explore what alumni are doing and identify alumni in targeted fields.

(1) Go to https://www.linkedin.com/alumni. The link will jump to your most recent institution. If you wish to explore alumni insights from a different institution, click the blue "change university" button on the left.

(2) You can search by geography, employer, industry, field of study, skills, and connection. By clicking on a bar in the graph, you can filter results by that area. You can also use the search boxes to find specific matches.

(3) Profile cards of alumni matching your filters and search term appear below the graphs.

A few weeks ago when I discussed the LinkedIn Alumni Insights with a client, we discovered that /alumni linked with the full school profile instead. While /alumni has been switched back to linking directly with the insights, if it gets "lost" again, search for a school. Then go to "Career Insights" section, about a quarter of the page down. Click on "See all career insights."