Dating Your Business Network

Well, not exactly.

I came across an interesting article this morning that I just had to share with you. Lauren Perkins of Forbes.com advises networkers to treat business networking like a first date.

Check out her article here for a new perspective on networking and some great advice!

Are You Linked? Beginning to Use LinkedIn Successfully (Part III)

Now that you have opened a LinkedIn account, started your profile and connected with people you know, you can expand your outreach by joining groups.

Groups are ways to instantly connect with other LinkedIn users outside of your network.  These groups may be based on general hobbies or careers, but most are more specific.  Some groups that you should consider joining and adding to your profile are groups for:

Your alma mater’s alumni;

Honor Societies members;

Sorority/Fraternity members;

College athletes;

Your Careers (particularly local groups); and

Your College major.

When you join a group, you can make postings to the group and comment on other member’s posts.  In alumni groups, jobs and internships are posted to give alumni the first opportunity to apply for such an opening. 

Networking on Thanksgiving Eve

Thanksgiving Eve is normally associated with college students returning to the local town pub for a night of catching up with friends, swapping gossip....and networking?

GMC Career Services has a great idea to make networking work for you on Thanksgiving Eve.

Check it out here!

Are You Linked? Beginning to Use LinkedIn Successfully (Part II)

You have begun creating a well-rounded profile, but you aren’t finished yet. 

Recommendations

Ask for a recommendation from a past employer, coworker and classmate.  These recommendations allow potential employers and clients get a sense of your work ethics, accomplishments and reputation. 

As you ask for recommendations, be certain to write a few for your connections as well.  They will certainly appreciate it.

Summary

Adapt your networking profile to use in the summary section of your profile.  As your career develops, modify your summary. 

These are just a few more details to make your LinkedIn profile stand out. 

Are You Linked? Beginning to Use LinkedIn Successfully (Part I)

LinkedIn is a fabulous social networking site for professional networking.   Unlike other social networking sites, the purpose of LinkedIn is to link professionals to one another.

It is a great site to visualize your network.

With LinkedIn, you can post to your profile and network projects that you are working on, press releases, and professional accomplishments.

After you open your free LinkedIn account, you begin to build your profile.  Use your resume to create a profile that includes your education, past employment, activities, honors, awards, volunteer work and publications.  You can also add links to your blog and website. 

Once you have completed your profile, add a profile photo. 

Now that you have built your profile, you are ready to add your connections.  LinkedIn has a handy tool that imports your email contacts to easily link with the people you email regularly.  You can add more connections by searching names, searching classmates by clicking on your college or university, and colleagues by clicking on your employment positions.

Start your LinkedIn profile today! 

Untapped Networking Potential: With Whom Who Have You Failed to Network?

At this very moment, you have untapped contacts to add to your network.

You don’t have to put on a suit, or attend an event to connect with these elusive contacts.

Make a list of your family, friends, classmates and colleagues.  Review your list.  Who have you forgotten?  

Have you included your family’s family? For example, have you included your sister’s in-laws or your cousin’s cousins.

Have you included each person’s spouse? It’s far better to send an individual email to each person, than to send one email to a couple.  They have individual careers and contacts that may be useful for you.  Send each person an individual email and they will each look to their network to see to whom they may be able to introduce you.

Have you reached out to your classmates from high school, college and graduate school?  Although you have embarked on different educational paths and careers, you may have contacts and connections that could benefit one another.

You are not the only person seeking to expand his or her network.  Your untapped contacts will be glad to hear from you and will be on the lookout for mutually beneficial opportunities.  

You may just inspire someone else to improve their networking and reach out to their untapped connections. 

Volunteering: Giving Back While You Network

Although volunteering is its own reward, volunteering also offers tremendous opportunities to expand your skill set while you network. 

If you volunteer with an organization outside your field, you will have the opportunity to network with your fellow volunteers who may hold full-time jobs in the field you wish to enter.  Simply by joining the organization, you have made valuable connections. 

If you volunteer with an organization within your field, you will gain valuable hands-on experience.  For example, an aspiring writer may seek to volunteer with a non-profit to write for their newsletter, prepare a monthly mailing, or do some grant writing.  

The possibilities are endless if you are willing to think creatively!

5 Quick Tips for Finding a Mentor

Mentorship Events:  These events are designed to connect mentors and mentees.  You may or may not find your mentor at one of these mentorship events.

Your Network: Ask the people in your network if they might be willing to serve as your mentor.  

Beyond Your Network: Again look to the people in your network.  Ask if they know someone in your field who might be interested in a mentorship.

Colleagues: Reach out to a colleague whose achievements mirror your ambitions.

Young Alumni: Young alumni are great mentors.  They have been just where you are now, just a short while ago.