Accelerate Your Search™ Now

“Faith is not something to grasp, it is a state to grow into.” – Gandhi

The job search can be the toughest job you will ever have.  Sometimes despite “positive thinking,” great marketing, resolve, determination, focus on your goals and vision, doubts jump into your thoughts.  Go ahead, admit it.

Pause and think about how you FEEL about building, connecting and interacting with your network.  Those feelings dictates how your network grows, how fast you have an impact and your growth to the next level.

Sometimes when you reach for the phone or start to type an email your inner voice of doubt begins to chatter.  It asks, “Why would this person be interested in hearing from me, we’ve not talked in years?” or “What will this person think of me?”  You don’t want to be known as “underemployed and begging for help” or “that person that needs help to make it.”

When inner doubt shows up it can change how you feel.  The way we feel directly impacts the actions we take.  Especially in marketing ourselves, our value, and with whom we are willing to share information.

What you choose to do (or not to do) will determine the opportunities you have and those you will find.  Actions directly impact the results you achieve, your income and your success.  The choice of what to do will also impact how you FEEL and ACT this afternoon and tomorrow.

Discover how you feel.  Decide if you like it or not.   Decide if you want to change it or not.

How you feel shows up in how you THINK and ACT.  If you feel bad, do you what that to continue?

What would be different if, as Gandhi suggests in the quote above, you grow into the faith that connecting or re-connecting with each person will bring good things to you and to them?

Intellectually, you and I already know you have significant value to offer.  Why not grow the value you offer by sharing it with the world or at least your network?

Have the courage to BELIEVE the results you achieve are indeed coming from your feelings, thoughts and actions.  Be a magnet for success and prosperity in your search.  FEEL confident about your value and be willing to ACT.  You must be aware of your feelings and take action or your will miss the opportunities available within your network.

Assess your network.  Take inventory of the people you know.  As in any business, inventory is an asset and will impact your bottom line.

The network of people you know is a component of your social and business capital.  Who are your critical connections?  Who are the critical connections you need to add to your network?

Create a plan to connect and stay connected.  Who knows you?  Who likes you?  Who trusts you?  Who will you connect with this week?  How will you stay connected?

Share your feelings and thoughts below.  Do you need help with your networking plan?  Give Cindy a call.

Do you dislike networking?  Why is that?

Do you lack skill in this area or is something else holding you back?

Do you want to be a more effective networker?

Often professionals considering a career move or seeking a new position ask how important networking is to success.  My reply?  “Networking is critical to your career.”

When I inquire as to why they are asking, their answers vary.  Here are the most common replies from my clients:

“I am not a skilled networker.”

“Making small talk is not my thing, that’s why I don’t like to network.”

“Starting a one-on-one conversation is frightening.  I just can’t do it.”

“I find silence dreadful.”

“Networking seems like a waste of my time.”

“If networking is what it takes to get a promotion, I am worried about being promoted.”

Do any of these sound like you?

Professionals need networking skills.  At work, and in the world, you need to be able to effectively connect, engage and communicate with different people in various settings.  One of the best ways to develop networking skills is repeated practice of solid techniques.

Though, for many of my clients the challenge of effective networking is not totally about skill.  The actual issues can range from less than effective venues to support their goals to the type of networking they have selected to poor networking techniques.  Any of these issues can result in time invested with limited results leaving your feeling like networking is just a waste of your time.

For other clients, the challenges revolve around fears or beliefs about networking.  The big fears that show up for my clients are:

• Fear of starting a conversation
• Fear of not knowing what to say
• Fear of saying the wrong thing
• Fear of trying something outside of your comfort zone

Here is a quick assignment to help you see what you need to tackle first.  Jot down your answers to the following questions:

• What do you dislike about networking?
• What do you believe about networking?
• Do you want to improve your networking skills and/or networking venues?
• Are you happy and content with your current level of networking success?

Now that you have noted your answers, you will know what to tackle first.  Your answers will also help you determine if skill, fear or some combination is your biggest challenge.

Your next step is simple.  Decide what, if anything, you want to change.  Is this an area worth tackling?  You can start today and be networking more effectively by the end of the week.  You can discover more about tackling your challenges <here>.

Do you have a question or comment?  Post it below or give me a call.  I am happy answer your questions.

Few do and many more are not willing to do the work.  It is the time of year that teachers and kids get spring fever and I start thinking about summer — warm weather, vacation, golf and fun.

This is also one of the two times a year when the hidden job market shifts in an interesting manner — passive candidates are easier to connect with.  If you are an active job seeker that means your competition just heated up.  This is not the time for you to cool your search, just the opposite; this is the time to double your efforts.

As more and more data becomes available to companies, they are using this information to hire and predict what candidates are most likely to be a top performer.

If you are a passive candidate searching for your next great position, it is critical to understand that companies are viewing your data as they are building pipelines to attack the best in class.  The company you want to work for is looking at more than just your skills and experience.

What are you doing today to make you a fit with your next employer?  How are you connected to that company today?

Many companies have candidate outreach programs — are you connected?  Are you connected to current employees or former co-workers who now work where you want to work?

Who are the leaders where you want to work?   What are you doing to get to know the hiring managers and to build and maintain a relationship?  What are they looking for?  What defines “best in class” to them?

How can the hiring managers see and experience your work today?  How are you communicating that you are an engaged employee that fits their needs and can help solve their problems?

Knowing how the hidden market works and how to to tap into it is critical to building and sustaining a career and life you love.  What action are you taking this week to tap into the hidden market?

Do you hate to network?

Almost weekly someone tells me they HATE to network.  I get it.

Once upon a time, networking was not my favorite thing to do either.  When I reframed networking to simply “meeting new people,” my point of view about networking changed.

Do you need to reframe how you see networking?  Here are 5 tips to help:

1. Be open.   No matter what you think or feel about networking, be open.  The next time you go to an event or are in a position to connect with other people begin with being open to the possibilities.  Odds are you will be delighted by pleasant surprises.

2. Simplify your approach.  Plan to greet all you meet with a smile and a hello.  Then just listen.  Listen and listen some more.  Engage in conversation as appropriate.

3. Give.  Limit your agenda to giving.  If you are attending an event for the first time, go with a smile for all.  Give of yourself and your time to all you meet.  Not sure what to give?  Start with a smile, eye contact and a listening ear and heart.  Let what you hear be your guide.

4. Introduce yourself to the host.  Be sure you identify the host of the event.  Say hello and introduce yourself.  Before leaving thank the host and say goodbye.

5. Return and stay in touch.  Networking is about building relationships — return to the next event and stay in touch.  Relationships are not build with a single meeting or a single conversation.  Decide when you will return and how you will stay in touch with the people you meet.

What is you favorite networking tip or experience?  Please share and post below.

Do you have a target job or employer?  Are you wondering how to find or increase the number of your personal referrals?

The secret is right under your nose — engage your personal advocates.

Your personal advocates are those people who know, like and trust you.  They want the best for you, but you need to keep them in loop if they are to refer you.

Life is busy.  If you do not share what you are up to your advocates may not know.  Help them understand:

• your goals
• your target companies
• the type of position(s) you desire
• why you are a good fit for both your target companies and the position(s) you seek

How do you do this?  One easy tool is an Update Letter.

As you launch your search or prepare for promotion, share what you have been up to, what you are looking forward to doing, your one paragraph resume, and, as appropriate, a personal update in your Update Letter.

Create an initial list of possible advocates by reviewing your contacts, colleagues and co-workers.  Create your plan to engage your advocates by writing and sending your Update Letter and following up.

Accelerate your search — and your success — today!

Do you have tips that have helped you engage your advocates?  Feel free to share them here.

Summer is here.  In fact almost two-thirds of the “100 days of Summer” are behind us.  Are you hot and thirsty?

Harvey Mackay says, “Dig your well before you’re thirsty” and in West Texas we say, “Take your shade with you.”  Shade and water can help you ward off or solve many of the problems that arise due to the summer heat.

Here are a few quick and simple ways to ensure the summer heat does not beat or blister your career.  No matter your industry, career expertise or area of interest, think of these actions as “water and shade” to help you handle any career problems or opportunities that crop up.

Seek out face-to-face connections.  Find professional, industry, and social groups/associations in your geographic area.  For example, the local CPA association, the software developer or WordPress Meetup Group, Rotary Club or the community garden group.  These groups are think tanks, user groups and natural places to make face-to-face connections.  They provide opportunities to build visibility and credibility.  Face-to-face interactions are far more powerful than relationships exclusively based online.  A Google search will help you find the groups in your area.  You can also ask your current network what groups they recommend.

Look for online groups to join and get involved.  LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook all have millions of groups.  There’s one for most anything that comes to mind.  Make a short list of your interests, then search for a group.  You can comment, post a question or add your expertise/technical knowledge to help others solve a problem.  Recommendation: before posting a question, search existing discussions to see if your question has been asked and answered.  If so, comment that you found the information/group helpful.

Connect with people that solve the problems you need solved.  Everyone has problems.  Everyone solves problems.  We need other people and naturally feel a stronger connection to people who like the same things we like and enjoy.  Gardeners help other gardeners with any problem they have, not just things to do with growing a garden.  The same holds true for teachers, Apple junkies, golfers, etc.  Add a keyword to your online profiles to help search features link you with other like-minded people.  In some ways this is better than “carrying shade with you” because it helps shade show up just when you need it from those with whom you share common interests.

Say “Yes” to friends and invitations.  It is sad to me when I hear, “I only connect with people I know well.”  Why?  Knowing someone well takes time, interaction, and effort, saying “yes” can be that first step toward getting to know someone well.  Those you connect with today may be those you know well tomorrow.  They also know people you don’t who may be able to help you achieve your goals.

Connecting with people may be all you need to find water, shade and the solution to keeping the heat from blistering your career.  Enjoy who you connect with during the final “100 days of summer.”  Have fun and add prosperity and satisfaction to your summer, your career and your life.

Have an amazing week!

Events can be fun and uplifting -or- they can be dull and a drag.  This week I am attending a multi-day  national conference.  To fully enjoy the event and achieve great ROI I need to do some planning and  identify ways to keep my energy high.

A special thanks to Kelly Schaefer  for inspiring me to look at tasks differently and  to Cena Block for tips on organizing stuff and for making me laugh!

Below are the 10 tips I use to insure I have fun, connect and  reconnect.  Each fine tuned via an event connection that has impacted my results and blessed my life.

1. Organize yourself

Pack your name tag, business cards and a specific note pad or portfolio that you only use for  conferences, workshops, or seminars.   Be sure to have plenty of business cards on hand.

Networking gets a bad rap sometimes.  I think it’s because networkers forget the basic reason for networking — connecting with people and building relationships.  That’s it.

The goal is not to get something from someone.  The goal is to get to know people.  People are amazing and fun — and great resources.

Here are 6 tips to help with networking, whether you love to do it or if you want to improve your skills:  

1. Identify well-attended events.

Select events that will help you expand your contacts within your industry.   Leverage the events you always attend and add other events to your calendar.  Look for events where you can meet new contacts.

2. Set a budget for networking

You will have expenses:  business cards, attire, event fees, food or beverage, or a donation to a charity or cause.  Be willing to invest in yourself — and do it with a grateful heart.

3. Set a schedule for networking

There are so many events you could attend.   Plan which events to attend, who to connect with, what to wear, and how you will follow up.  Having a plan and a schedule will keep you focused.

4. Leverage your existing relationships and connections.

Are there people you want to see or speak with?  Is getting an appointment on their calendar tough?  Seek events where you know those people will attend.  Connect ahead of time and arrange a time to talk at the event.  This uses your time (and theirs!) effectively.

5. Stand out in the crowd

Know how you want to differentiate yourself from others at an event.  You want to gain favorable attention with key contacts and those who can help you land your dream job.  Know who will be at the event and be open to the opportunities before you.  Don’t sell, rather ask questions and get to know people.

6. Leverage your online network and online events

Many events are growing and some events combine both online and face-to-face experiences.  If you get an “Evite” with an RSVP treat it as you would any invitation with an RSVP.  If you need to check in – do it.  Check the list for who is attending — you may wish to add someone to your “connect with” list.  If you can’t join in person and the event is live-streamed join online.

Do you have a networking tip or comment to share?  Post it below.