Presented by…Ken Soper, MA, Mdiv

NCDA Master Career Counselorwww.kensoper.com

Network to New Work:

You CAN do it!

We’ll cover…

Who…..What….When…Where..Why…..How of networking

WHOShould Network?

Everyone!Networking is essential

to all human beings, except hermits.

WHATis Networking?

Connecting and building relationships with people

who you can help and can help you

in your search for work.

“It’s a two-way street.It’s about building community.”

WHATNetworking is…

• Not about asking for or expecting someone to hand you or find you a job

• Not superficial, insincere, manipulative, selling or gossip

• Not begging, pleading, or ….

WHENshould I Network?

ALWAYS. You probably are already doing so everyday, but it’s unintentional.

Make it intentional, a part of your everyday life.

Everyday.

WHEREshould I Network?

• Social events• Family gatherings / celebrations• Sporting events• Associations / clubs / “affinity” groups• Conferences / trade shows• Volunteering • Worship / faith community gatherings• ‘Meetings’ of all kinds, even shopping

• To give to your community, practicing the Golden Rule: “Do for others as you would have them do for you.”

• Learn how others see you, get their advice, and ask for help.

• It’s how most people get their job: 3 of 4 or more find new work this way 60-80% of jobs are never advertised Less competition

WHYShould I Network?

WHYPeople don’t Network

• Can’t articulate their strengths, what they’re good at, the power they can offer to others

• Uncomfortable talking to strangers• It seems ‘pushy’ to them• Fear of being misunderstood or not

accepted• Not sure how to start a conversation

• Dare yourself to do something.• Show interest in the other person, ask

questions and listen to the answers.• Do “Practice Field Surveys”:

Practice Field Survey

HOWto Network?

HOWTo Network

• Identify who you know first. Or who you’d like to know.

• Know what you want to learn about them, from them, and what you may be able to do for them.

• Again, practice that primary ‘life’ principle, the Golden Rule, as you meet and get acquainted.

Networking Tools

• Stay organized: 5 essentials.A 90-second ‘verbal resume’:

Skills/expertise/benefitsBusiness cardsA calendarA watchAn email/contacts accountOnline networking account

Online Social Networking

A tool to supplement networking with multiple features for connecting and finding informationLinkedInPlaxoFacebook Others?

Tips to (small) Talk

• Introduce yourself and offer your business card

• Listen, repeat their name• Find common ground…interests,

weather, food, host or event• Ask something about them: see

Ken’s 5 questions

HOWto Network? “5 Finger Method for Asking Questions

about Job Search and Career Advice”:1. Please tell me your story.2. What have you liked/disliked about

your work?3. What activities helped your career?4. What else do you think I need to know?5. Whom else should I interview?

Follow up and stay-in-touch

Tips to (small) Talk

• Ask open-ended questions, such as… “Describe your best/worst job.” “Tell me more about that.” “Explain how that happened.”

• Make the other person feel comfortable.• Offer a compliment, thank them.• Engage in a conversational manner.

TRUE NETWORKING… “…is when you spend time with people who do the work

you want to do, talking shop. Good networking involves working with other[s], even if it's on a volunteer project, or to learn something new. Good networking is rubbing elbows and enjoying talk and activities related to the work you want to do.

“Here's the thing that confuses people and frustrates them: They think we network to get our next job. That's absolutely wrong. We network to get smarter, to make new friends, to build our value and our credibility in our professional community, to help others, and to enjoy our work outside of the job. Job opportunities arise out of networking; they are not the reason to do it.”

Nick Corcodilos, Ask The Headhunter newsletter: “Too late to network?” March 18, 2008