Networking with a Purpose Via Social Media

September 15th, 2010Noon EST/9am PST

Our Speakers: Debra Feldman

• Debra Feldman is the JobWhiz™, a nationally recognized job search strategy consultant and executive talent agent.

• www.jobwhiz.com • www.twitter.com/debra_feldman

Our Speakers: Kay Kelison

• Kay Kelison is a highly respected Social Media strategist, consultant, and researcher.

• Kay is on the cutting-edge of deep search and candidate sourcing, which means that she knows how to find, connect, and build relationships with people using skills and techniques via the internet.

• www.Facebook.com/kaykel

Our Speakers: Heather McGough

• Heather McGough has spent the past 10 years recruiting for Microsoft.

• She is responsible for the strategy, development and maintenance of the internet-based social media communities for the Customer Service and Support organization.

• www.twitter.com/heathermcgough

Question 1• The definition of networking has changed over the past five

years. We are often presented with the false choice of networking on social tools versus networking in real life. How would you define successful networking in 2010?

Answers to Question 1: How would you define successful networking in 2010?• From Webster's, “A usually informally interconnected group or

association of persons (as friends or professional colleagues)” — still applies.

• When you network, you are the one who ultimately owns the relationship.

• Networking requires you to initiate a dialogue.

• Use a multi-pronged approach to network where you search social networks, such as LinkedIn and Facebook, to find key decision-makers. The next step, asking for help, is made easier through those social connections.

• Networking is a process by which connections are made and you give as much as you get.

• In fact, being a giver is key to successful networking.

Question 2• What are some of the most effective ways to find decision-

makers, hiring managers, and corporate leaders using social networks and online connections?

Answers to Question 2: What are some of the most effective ways to find decision-makers, hiring managers, and corporate leaders using social networks and online connections?

• Twellow

• WeFollow

• Broadlook

• Egrabber

• Lexis Nexis

• Facebook (use it as a search engine)

• AllTop (search industry blogs)

• LinkedIN (groups are golden for finding/connecting with people)

• Bing.com

• Google.com

• Corporate websites have a ton of great information

Question 3• Once you find those key influencers on the internet, what are

the most effective ways to initiate a meaningful connection?

Need Technical Support?

US: 800-263-6317 Canada:866-998-6710

International: info@newmediaservicesLLC.com

Answers to Question 3: Once you find those key influencers on the internet, what are the most effective ways to initiate a meaningful connection?

• Identify a mutual connection to help contact target audiences.

• Connect via multi-pronged approach: internet, phone calls, Twitter, and snail mail.

• Tell a story, ask a question, offer to help.

• Reach out. You never know when a tweet or comment on a blog that seems silly will lead to a business connection.

• Engage. Talk about common interests.

• It's not only about finding a job. Connect with people who will help you build your connections/get insider advice.

Question 4• What are some important ways we can begin to move a

relationship from the internet to real life?

• How much connecting over the internet is too much?

• When do you go from interested job seeker to stalker?

• How do you avoid being perceived as too pushy?

Answers to Question 4: What are some important ways we can begin to move a relationship from the internet to real life?

• Just because you have a name doesn't mean you have to go in for the kill.• Be patient. • Once you connect with someone, ask for a timetable. “When can I contact you

next?” • Be thoughtful and clear when you engage/reach out for help. Don't just say,

"Can you help me?”• When you reach out, give a quick blurb on why you are a fit. Show you have

done your research. Do not blindly spam.• Be honest and authentic when you speak with hiring managers and recruiters.

When asked about your interest in a company or a position, don’t be so desperate for a job that you are wasting a hiring manager’s time.

• Don’t call a recruiter or hiring manager at home.• Don’t send flowers.• Don’t assume that a hiring manager/recruiter is in a certain timezone based on

an area code. Call people during decent and respectful hours.

Question 5• What if the person you want to connect with isn't on the

internet?

• What are some proven ways to connect with a hiring manager who isn’t on the internet so I can make an impact and get on his/her radar screen?

Answers to Question 5: What if the person you want to connect with isn't on the internet?

• Turn back the wheel of time and go to in person networking and telephone calls.

• Search for networking events in your area on search engines.

• Attend meet-ups.

• As a job seeker, focus on industry events via volunteering, presenting and/or attending.

• Write for the few remaining print publications. This includes writing letters to the editor.

• Be an expert. Help A Reporter Out - http://www.helpareporter.com/

Question 6• What if you're shy and feel more comfortable finding people

and having conversations on the internet?

• What are some tips and tools you can recommend for being your own best advocate and making the jump from the internet to real life?

Answers to Question 6: What if you're shy and feel more comfortable finding people and having conversations on the internet?

• Social media can enhance your confidence. Get comfortable, do your research, and then connect in real life.

• The tools have made it so easy to find commonality with somebody.

• Remember that VPs are people, too.

• When you attend a networking event, bring a buddy. Team-up and introduce your buddy.

• Compliment someone. It breaks down barriers and starts dialogue.

• Try Toastmasters and Dale Carnegie-type classes.

• Go easy on yourself. No one is perfect. See yourself realistically.

Your Questions• Have a rocky job history? Layoffs? Constant challenges?

– Those who have had bad luck shouldn't feel bad. We should be the ones reaching out and helping them.

– Tell your story, but indicate how you have learned from your experiences. Find silver lining.

– Explain your "bad luck" and the external factors. Anticipate the negative responses.

– Humor shows how the candidate is able to deal with adversity.

• What’s a Tweet-Up? What’s a Meet Up?

– A meet up is a group of people with shared interests who plan meetings and form offline clubs in local communities around the world.

– A tweet-up is a real world meeting between people who know each other through the online Twitter service. You don’t need to be on Twitter to attend.

Your Questions• What are the steps to protect one's professional reputation via Social Media?

How can we protect ourselves?– See Social Media for Job Seekers: A Career Coaches Panel

• How should I go about linking to an employee at one of my target companies.– Join LinkedIN groups, find that person, connect through the group.

• What are the different levels available through LinkedIn, i.e., is there a level that is almost exclusively for executive level / decision makers?– Recruiters have access to LInkedIn Recruiter. This is how they find people.

LinkedIn for job seekers and regular “careerists” is differentiated by prices, not by corporate titles. It’s not like The Ladders.

• Should I have multiple LinkedIn accounts? Facebook accounts? Twitter accounts? Should personal and professional connections be separate?– See Social Media for Job Seekers: A Career Coaches Panel

Your Questions• Is it effective to reach out to managers in other countries or canadian provinces?

– See Social Media for Job Seekers: A Career Coaches Panel• I am using LinkedIn as a premium user and have contacted people for career research. I

got nothing. Is my approach too vague? I just want to know why I did not even get a confirmation to my initial email. They did not even answer at all.– We believe in manners, but no one is compelled to respond via LinkedIn. So we ask—

What’s in it for them? Did you offer anything that would be helpful for them? Did you try to make a personal connection? Were you too pushy? Did you seem needy?

• How do you search on Facebook?– You can search for anything on Facebook using the search box just above your

newsfeed on www.facebook.com – You’ll be able to find names of people who belong to company networks, career sites,

and pages about companies and products.• Where can I find a transcript of all the tweets from today’s session?

– Right here!

Contact Us Directly

Our Twitter stream

@voiceofcareers, #voc10

www.voiceofcareers.comOur website

Coming Soon!

Coming Soon…

Go to www.thecareersummit.com to stay in touch