Why Do I Need a Mission Statement?

In hindsight, what I found to be most challenging when networking as a student was my lack of direction.

I didn’t have an idea of who I was or what I wanted out of networking.

It wasn’t until after I began my career as an attorney did I begin to develop my personal mission statement.

A personal mission statement is a summary of your values and goals.  It could be a few sentences or a few paragraphs.  It can be a list of words or a highly detailed summation.  Your mission statement has to work for you.  It may be in a constant state of revision, but once you have an idea of your mission, you will find that networking becomes a bit more easier.  You are no longer just looking for a job, but pursuing a career that coincides with your long-term goals and values.  

Developing a mission statement is no easy task.  Here are just a few sites that I have used to develop my own mission statement:

Think Simple Now 
http://thinksimplenow.com/happiness/life-on-purpose-15-questions-to-discover-your-personal-mission/

Quintessential Careers
http://www.quintcareers.com/creating_personal_mission_statements.html

Leadership Development Institute
http://literacy.kent.edu/Oasis/Leadership/mission.htm

Leverage Your Summer Internship

By this time, you may be finishing up the last week or so of your summer internship.  You may be looking forward to packing and returning to school in just a few short weeks.

Make sure that before you pack up your desk at your summer internship you have  taken steps to leverage your summer internship to your advantage:

1) Ask your boss or supervisor about extending your internship into the fall, this is a great way to communicate your commitment and interest to the company;

2) Update your resume with your most recent job responsibilities;

3) Ask your supervisor for a written recommendation;

4) Make sure you have contact information for everyone that you worked with and worked for; and

5) Plan to follow up with your supervisor or boss every few months, this contact maintenance will come in handy as you search for a full-time position.

Mentor Magic

Finding a Mentor can work magic for your career.

Magic in the sense that if you dedicate time and work hard, you will reap success.

We’ve talked about finding a mentor here and here.

Heather Huhman of USNews, points out some great ways you can benefit from a mentor relationship here.  

While Huhman’s article is strong evidence of the value of having a mentor, be certain that you pay it forward.  

You have skills, experience and advice that you can offer by becoming a mentor.  You might be able to help a high school student searching for a college.  You might mentor an underclassman trying to figure out a major.  

Who can you offer your mentor magic too?

Not A People Person?

“I’m a people person!”  He proclaims brightly, with an eager smile.

We all know that person.  The life of the party.  The chatty conversationalist.  For someone like him or her, networking isn’t something to be feared, it’s just another conversation.

They might even look forward to attending a networking event.

But what about the rest of us?

What about the introverts among us, who still need to network for career success?

Ruth Carter offers her advice here in the Introvert’s Survival Guide.  


Are you an introvert? What do you find works for you?

Networking as an Employee?

Congratulations!  You’ve found a job!

It was hard work to search for a job, network, complete applications, send out resumes and get through the interview process.  

You have to learn how to do your job and do it well.  You have to adapt to the culture of your company.  This may be your first “real” job and you have to adjust to working full-time.  

Who has time to network?

You must.

Networking will set you apart from your peers.  It will give you the edge in a down market.  It will give you options in a recession.

Networking is the key not only to finding a job, but finding success and fulfillment in your career.  

If you are no longer looking for a job, where will you network?

Look to the people you admire in your field, inside and outside of your company.  To which professional organizations do they belong?

Ask your manager or mentor to help you formulate a networking plan.  This is especially important if you are in an industry that expects you to regularly bring in clients.

Sample a few organizations before you commit your time.

When you commit your time, truly commit yourself.  Join committees.  Hold a leadership position.  Don’t just join an organization, serve an organization.  It is a great way to get to know your fellow members and begin to establish your professional reputation.

As a professional, where do you find your networking time is best spent?

Will Network for Work

If you are currently searching for a job in a particular industry, you may find that your options for networking events are overwhelming.  

There are local, county and state professional associations.  There are networking groups within religious organizations.  There are civil groups such as your local or county chamber of commerce.  There are regional alumni groups.  There are meetups and start ups.  There are breakfast meetings, lunch meetings, and happy hours.  

You have a limited budget of both time and money.  You must decide where you will spend your time networking.  

But, where do you begin?

Start by looking to the leaders in your field.  To which organizations do they belong?  What committees do they join?

Reach out to people who are doing what you would like to do.  Ask their advice.

Attend multiple meetings and talk to people.  Ask them what they like about the organization and what they take away from it.

Slowly narrow down your organizations to a manageable group of organizations to which you can truly commit your time.

What organizations do you find most valuable to your job search?

When Do You Network?

If you’ve read my book or followed by blog, you know that my favorite answer is every day!  

Whether you have a full-time job, or are searching for the same, you may have noticed that there are many networking breakfast meetings.  

If the thought of waking up an extra hour early to network makes you hide your head under the covers, you may want to think again.

Breakfast meetings are popular because they start before the regular workday.  Before the office is open, before clients or customers start calling, you can attend an event once a week or once a month to boost your career.

But, you may be thinking, that’s SO early.

True.  

But, according to this interesting article by Inc.Com, successful people are more likely to be up earlier.  Whether they are getting into the office before the phones are ringing, finishing up a writing project or networking, there is evidence that suggests getting up earlier is the secret to success.  

What do you think? Will you be getting up earlier and giving this a try?

Mani/Pedi Networking

I love a nice manicure and pedicure.  It’s a time to relax, slow down and be pampered.  

According to the Wall Street Journal’s Jo Piazza, “Manicure Meetings” are more and more common among women in New York.  It’s the professional woman’s answer to the boy’s club bonding over the 9th hole.  At the nail salon, Piazza points out, you can’t reach for your phone to check your messages.  You can’t jump out of a meeting to answer an important email.  You have to engage, listen and contribute to conversation.

I know I would happily attend an evening meeting if it was a mani meeting.

As someone who truly appreciates the value of networking, I would love to see this taken in another direction as well.  Instead of a cocktail networking meeting or early morning breakfast meeting, what about a mani/pedi/networking event?  Here are my top five reasons for why I think this innovative event would be successful:

1. You can’t help but be relaxed as you network--you’re being pampered;

2. It’s something different, so different that the event in itself would spark conversation;

3.  It’s an event that supports small businesses;

4. You can’t check your phone, emails, texts etc. while your nails are dry; and

5. It would help to build stronger community ties by hosting events where you live and work.

What do you think?


Read more about Jo Piazza's article here.

Incubator

This past spring, I had the wonderful opportunity to work with Wagner College’s Business Program.  This innovative program offers an exciting class under Professor Frank DeSimone, which gives students the opportunity to work with businesses to develop marketing and advertising goals.  As part of the course, students work to develop these goals into actual products.  At the end of the semester, the company has received a product or several products that they can implement immediately and students receive opportunities to build their skills, create a portfolio of work, and network.  

The Graduate’s Guide to Networking was chosen to be a part of this incubator project.  The students I worked with, Symphonie, Kayla, Samantha, Kathrine and Lauren, designed a new logo, prepared advertising copy and revamped our social media.

I was expecting great things from these Wagner students.

I was blown away by their creativity, technical skills, and problem solving.  The commitment and dedication that was shown by the students I was lucky to work with was truly admirable.  Ultimately for these students, this was a class project, however, I never felt that I was working with anyone less than a professional.

Thank you so much Symphonie, Kayla, Samantha, Kathrine and Lauren.  With your work ethic, positivity and creativity, I know you will accomplish all that you pursue.

Congratulations, What's Next?

Congratulations New Graduates!

Whether you have graduated from high school, college, graduate school or professional school, you deserve to take time to appreciate and celebrate your accomplishments.

Maybe you will have a small intimate dinner party to celebrate.  Maybe you have the party of the century planned to celebrate FINALLY getting your degree.

Whatever your celebration plans, be prepared for the party.

“Congratulations!” Your neighbor will greet you.  “What are you going to do now?” He’ll ask.

And your stomach drops.  The balloons deflate.  The room grows silent.

What are you going to do now?

Maybe you have a fantastic job lined up with a Fortune 500 company that offered to pay off your student loans as a sign on bonus.  

Right.

Most likely, you are like the majority of the Class of 2012 and you aren’t quite sure what your next step will be.  You are casting a wide net in your job search, but continue to come up empty.

Breathe easier.  You have a tremendous networking opportunity before you--your own graduation party.

Mingle, talk to the people who support and love you.  

Dream, let people know what you’d like to accomplish.

And most of all, celebrate your accomplishments today.  You’ve earned it.  

DIY Student & Alumni Networking Event

Alumni are fabulous networking resources.  They have been where you are and have the experience and drive to help you.

Where do you meet alumni?

Contact career services at your college or alma mater.  They often organize events each semester to bring alumni back to campus.  Often, the career services director reaches out to a wide pool of alumni and extends an invitation.  Alumni from a variety of academic backgrounds will attend.  It is a great opportunity that you should take full advantage of when available. 

Would you like to take your networking up a notch?

Organize a student-alumni get together for alumni of your department, organization or team.  Utilize your organization’s contacts as well as the college’s alumni development office.  Arrange for food and drinks, because everyone is more social when they are well-fed.  Be prepared to talk about the accomplishments that have occurred in your time with the group.  Did your team qualify for a tournament?  Did your department present at a national conference?  Don’t forget to bring a sign-up sheet so alumni can be placed on your mailing list for future events.

You now have successfully organized an event where students can network with alumni with whom they have strong ties. 

Encourage this student-alumni relationship by hosting a yearly event to bring alumni back to campus.  Create a newsletter detailing events and accomplishments and email it to the alumni on your mailing list.

The more alumni know about your organization, the more they will be willing and able to help. 

Choosing How to Spend Your Networking Time

To be successful, networking takes time and commitment.

If you are unemployed, you have to search for jobs, send resumes, draft cover letters and prepare for interviews.

If you are employed, you have to commute to work, put in a full day of work and commute home.  You may even be taking work home with you.

In addition to spending time with your family and friends, making time for hobbies, sleeping and eating, it seems that you may not have a lot of spare time for networking.

Make a networking plan that fits your lifestyle.  I suggest the following:

Join a local organization or association within your industry.  This is a great place to meet potential employers and colleagues while staying up-to-date on the latest developments in your field.  The frequency of these meetings varies, but most will meet once a month and have committees that meet a bit more often.

Join an organization or group outside of your industry.  Whether you join a soccer team or a book club, choose something that speaks to you.  You may wish to pursue a hobby or a talent.  Why not do so and network at the same time?

Finally, make time for volunteer work.  Whether you do volunteer work within one of the above groups or you volunteer with another organization, take the opportunity to give back. 

Great Advice from GlassDoor.com

In my book, blog and workshops, I encourage people to prepare a networking profile, a snapshot of who they are and what they are looking for at a networking event.  This networking profile is so you always have a stock speech to draw from as you are speaking with someone.  However, if you are introducing yourself and blurt out your whole networking profile, your conversation may seem canned and rehearsed.

Liz Ryan at Glassdoor.com has a great term for this abbreviated elevator speech.  Ryan calls it a "bumper sticker."  I love it!

Read more about Ryan's bumper sticker networking technique here.

Transitioning Your Career

Usually, when we hear someone explain that they are transitioning careers, we think of someone who has worked for a few years in one specialty and is now pursuing a different career path. Even if you have not established your career yet, it may be time for a transition.

You may be transitioning from what you thought you would do.

Perhaps, you have graduated with a degree in English Literature.  You once thought that you would go on to graduate school and eventually earn a PhD.  Now, a combination of student loans, an uncertain job market and an uncertain passion are making you rethink your once concrete plans.

That’s okay.

There comes a time when we need to evaluate if we are pushing ourselves to achieve something we really want, or just something we think we should want.

It can be difficult to transition our mindset. It can be more difficult to work tirelessly towards a goal that no longer fits who we are and what we want.

You may have already transitioned your mindset once in college. 

When you first filled out your college applications and you marked a major, did you have a career in mind at the time? Like many college graduates, you may have changed your major.  You may have changed it more than once.

Some people even change their major twice in a semester. Ahem.

Changing your major in college is expected.  It is fairly common.  Now, changing your career path after graduation is becoming just as common.

Transitioning your ideas about your career does not mean giving up on your dreams.

What it means is finding a way to make your dreams work in reality. You need to get creative. We’ve answered the question, what do you want to do.  Now it’s time to ask how.

You may want to be a fiction author.  Have you considered searching for a position that will utilize your research, writing, and proofreading skills and will give you spare time to write your novel?  Perhaps you could look into a position that will put you in touch with contacts at a publishing house or agency.  You are no longer looking for a job as a fiction author, but a job that will support you as you pursue your writing career.

You may want to be an accountant.  Just because you have not received an offer from a big 4 accounting firm does not mean that your career is over before it starts.  If you want to be an accountant, reach out to everyone you know and ask them to reach out to their accountants.  Set up lunch meetings (not during tax season).  Ask them to keep you in mind for any per diem, part-time or full-time positions in accounting.  You may not have the opportunity to work for a big 4 firm, but you still have the opportunity to be an accountant. 

You may have wanted to work with a marketing firm designing high profile advertising campaigns for Fortune 500 companies.  You may need to start smaller and look to local marketing firms to grow your portfolio.  You may need to actively solicit and engage clients for the firm in your first few months.  It may be a much different experience than you expected, but that does not automatically mean it will be worse.

To transition your career mindset, be honest with yourself and your passions.  Just as you have had to make networking work for you, you can make your career work for you.  Be open to creative opportunities.  Be open to experiences that do not play out as you expected.  Build and maintain strong networking relationships.

Most of all, remember that your first job will not be your last job.  You will learn from it, grow from it and eventually move on from it.  But to move on, you will need to rely on the skills, experiences, and the networking connections that you have built along the way.

I wish you the very best of luck as you forge your road to success!

USA Today: Using Your Greek Ties to Network

Are you a member of a fraternity or sorority skeptical about how your Greek ties can make networking work for you? 

Check out this fantastic article by Nancy Oben, a senior journalism major at the University of Miami and fellow sister of Alpha Delta Pi!

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Toot Your Own Horn

We know that a resume should be one page, easy to read and free of typos.

We have heard it for years. 

But those 4 corners are so limiting!

How many of us have had to delete details or perhaps even an entire section of our resume to fit more job-specific details and sections?

For example, I no longer keep the incredibly long list of student organizations and leadership positions that I held in college on my resume.  Some of those organizations and positions really shaped who I am and the career path that I have forged.  But, I have more applicable and more recent experience that needs to be on my resume now.  

However, I haven’t deleted this list completely from my computer. 

I keep my own list of accomplishments, memberships, publications, awards, employers and job descriptions in a separate document.

Do I keep it just to toot my own horn?

No.

Well, at least, that’s not the only reason I keep a list.

Keeping a comprehensive list is helpful when you are applying to a wide variety of positions.  You may really have more experience in a discipline than you give yourself credit for when applying for a job.  You may just have forgotten where it began.

Keeping a list is helpful when you are preparing for an interview.  Interview styles and questions vary widely from employer to employer.  It’s best to be prepared to draw on a wide array of your skills and experience.  

Some interviewers will even ask you to, “Tell me something about you that isn’t on your resume.”

Keeping a list is also helpful to reflect on when you are networking and someone asks you, “How did you become interested in that?”  Perhaps, it was taking that marketing class freshmen year of college that first exposed you to the cross-over between business and graphic design.  Think about the experiences that helped shape who you are and what you want.

Finally, searching for a job can be emotionally draining.  After sending out hundreds of resumes and getting no response, you may feel downtrodden.  Now is the time to take out your list.  Take a look at all you have accomplished.  I’m sure there were a few things on that list that may have seemed like they were out of reach at the time.  But you did it.

Just like you will find a job.

Don’t give up and when things get tough, make sure to toot your own horn. 

Love Twenty: The Benefits of a Part-Time Job

Taking on a part-time job while in college is necessary for most of us.

Whether we apply for the experience, networking opportunities, or just some extra cash, a part-time job offers many benefits.

To learn more about the benefits of a part-time job, check out this post by LoveTwenty here.

Career Specific Networking for Educators

As educators, teachers have many opportunities to network in the community.

Tutor

There are opportunities to tutor privately, in after-school programs, as well as through franchise learning centers.  To tutor children in a specific subject area, most programs will require you to have a state license and teaching certificate.  So that means that all of the tutors working in the program will be teachers.  There will certainly be people like you there who are not teaching full-time (yet).  But, there will also be full-time teachers who want to earn a bit more money, retired teachers who had been with a school district for years, and parents who may work within a school setting as teachers, principals, administrative assistants, etc.  Tutoring is a great option to use your skills and gain experience as you continue to network for a permanent teaching positions.

Substitute Teaching

If there is a particular school system or several school systems that you would like to teach in, complete the paperwork to get on the list to substitute teach.  If you apply to substitute for a school that you attended, you will probably get pushed up on the substitute list.  As a substitute, you will be a familiar face to the administration when you hand in your application for an available full-time position.  You will also have the opportunity to learn of openings or potential openings before they are posted to the public. 

Religious Organizations

If you are interested in working at a private, religious or parochial school, consider joining the religious organizations with which they are affiliated.  For example, if you want to work as a teacher in a Catholic School, attend mass and pick up a bulletin.  What kind of volunteer opportunities are available? By volunteering with organizations within the church, you are showing commitment to the values and goals that the school holds dear.  As you volunteer and network, be certain to make your career goals clear.  No one will know that you are interested in the 4^th grade opening, unless you make it known.

Continuing Education Seminars and Conferences

You may not need the credits yet, but attending continuing education seminars and conferences allows you to network with other teachers and administrators.  Check your state’s website and see if there are local seminars that you could attend.  If the cost is prohibitive, call the sponsor and ask for the student rate.  Attending a seminar is a great investment to network with other educators and administration, while demonstrating a commitment to becoming a better teacher.

Happy Networking!

Career Specific Networking

Career specific networking involves networking with people at places that are closely related to the career that you wish to break into.  These are events, associations, part-time positions, and volunteer positions that will help you get your foot in the door for the career that you want.   Along the way, you may also gain skills and experience that will make for a great conversation during an interview.

Think about what makes your career unique.  Are there national or state conferences you could attend? Are there volunteer organizations that could help you hone your skills?

Are there similar or related part-time jobs you could apply for while you look for a full-time job? Don’t immediately discard a job for which you consider yourself over-qualified.  Getting your foot in the door is half the battle.  Getting to network with people in the industry is a bonus.

Consider this, when I applied for my first job after law school I sent out 300 resumes and cover letters.  I got one phone call and one interview.  The interview was for a paralegal position, not an attorney position.  I was disappointed, but I went to the interview anyway with a positive attitude and high hopes for a job offer.  During the course of the interview, the attorney that I was interviewing with explained that this was a paralegal position, but only until I got my bar results.  Upon passing the bar, if I was to be offered the position, I would be an associate with the firm.  I was ultimately offered the position and accepted.

If I had disregarded the “paralegal” position, I never would have known that my interview could turn it from a paralegal position into an associate attorney position. 

Moral of the story?

Don’t miss out on an opportunity.

Career specific networking takes commitment, drive and most of all a positive attitude to take advantage of these opportunities.  These are opportunities to network, not resignation to a different career. 

As long as you are willing to work for it, career specific networking will work for you. 

5 Tips for Getting Your Foot In the Door

The hardest part of finding a job is getting your foot in the door.  It’s difficult to get that first interview.  What will set you apart from the pile of resumes on a recruiters desk?

Temp:  You need to work while you look for work.  Why not sign up with a temp agency? You will be able to work with a variety of companies, meet a variety of people and make connections inside a company. 

Intern: Yes, most of the time it’s unpaid.  Yes, interns are generally college students.  But more and more unemployed professionals are submitting their resume for internship positions.  Why would they be willing to take such a pay cut or accept no pay at all?  The experience and connections may be worth more.  When the company that you are interning with needs to fill an opening, they will look to their current employees and interns before they start looking through the submissions from CareerBuilder and Monster.

Volunteer: If you are seeking to break into an industry in which you have limited professional experience and you have applied for internships, consider volunteering with a non-profit.  A non-profit is often understaffed for the projects that they would like to accomplish and the workload that they have.  You may be able to gain practical professional experience and help a good cause.

Reach In:  Look to the people in your network.  Make some phone calls. Send an email.  Let them know the company you would like to work for or what industry you would like to be in.  Ask them if there is anyone to whom they can introduce you.  They may know someone.  Or they may know someone who knows someone.  You won’t know until you ask. 

Reach Out: Is there someone you admire?  Is there someone who has the type of job or career that you would love to pursue? Research them, find their contact information and send them an email or letter expressing your interest and shared passion.  You may just create a connection with an industry leader.  

The most important thing you can do to get your foot in the door is to network with intention.  By networking intentionally, you will take active steps towards meeting the people who can help you achieve your goal.

Good Luck!

The People That You Meet When You Network

No matter where you choose to spend your time networking, you will likely meet a few characters at each event you attend.  Here are just a few generalizations (and exaggerations) of people you may encounter and some strategies for succeeding in your interactions with them.  

The Overachiever

You are chatting about your plans for the summer when the person you are speaking to mentions his plans.  “I’m currently working on the next Presidential campaign and working to establish a school for children in Africa.  Of course, I’m hoping to launch my start-up this summer as well…”  I need a vacation just listening to his summer plans. 

First and foremost, don’t feel inadequate.  These are his plans and not yours for a reason.  He has had to sacrifice A LOT to accomplish his summer plans.  Compliment him and wish him the best of luck with his endeavors.

If these plans were expressed with a snarky smirk and a withering gaze at you, smile and wish him the best of luck.  He’s going to need it with that kind of attitude.

The Downer

Remember Debbie Downer from Saturday Night Live?

She may be at your next networking event.

You smile and introduce yourself.  You get a sigh and half-hearted handshake.  You try to make small talk.  

You ask her if she played any sports in college.  She says, “Yes, until I blew out my knee and lost my scholarship.”  You appropriately say, “I am sorry to hear that.” You ask her what type of work she does and she responds, “I’m unemployed now.  I can’t find a job.  This economy sucks.”

This is where it gets dangerous.  If you aren’t careful, this Downer has the potential to ruin your positive attitude.  Don’t let her.  Don’t feed into her negativity.  Smile and stay positive.  Tell her that there are great opportunities to meet people at this event.  Wish her the best and move on.

The Criticizer

The Criticizer is the cousin of the Downer. 

The Criticizer is the person complaining about the food, the drinks, the location, and the company.  Avoid the Criticizer at all costs.

You don’t want to be associated with someone who is not only negative, but also unkind.  Excuse yourself from conversation with the Criticizer as politely as possible, keeping in mind that he will criticize you when you walk away anyway.  Don’t give him any ammunition.

The Barnacle

When you are at a networking event, you want to meet as many as people as possible in a meaningful way.  It’s not a good idea to speak with one person for 20 minutes at a networking event.  If your connection is that great, you should suggest meeting up for coffee.

The Barnacle is a fellow networker who doesn’t want to leave your side.  You introduced yourself and find that the Barnacle is now following you.  What do you do?

Realize that he or she is probably extremely nervous about meeting people.  Be kind.  Excuse yourself and explain there are a few people I need to speak with tonight.  Exchange business cards.  Suggest someone with whom he or she should talk and if possible make the introduction.

These are, as I mentioned, generalizations and exaggerations of the people that you may encounter when you network.  The most important thing to keep in mind, even more than avoiding or excusing yourself from a conversation with these types of people, is not to BE like any of these networkers.

Stay positive, be kind, and happy networking!

Associate! The Importance of Joining a Professional Association

This summer, I had the opportunity to attend the annual Association for Continuing Legal Education Administrators (ACLEA) meeting in Boston, MA.  It was a fabulous four day event that included conferences, exhibits and networking events.  I only recently began my career in continuing legal education (CLE) and I have a lot to learn.  Joining an association, attending meetings and joining committees is the best thing I can to do to gain expertise in my career.

Joining an association gives you the opportunity to meet colleagues and mentors.  Now, when I have a question about an application that I am working on or a bar association I am reaching out to, I have someone to whom I can ask questions.  I have someone with whom I can brainstorm ideas for new programming.

It also gave me the opportunity to meet and network with people who own businesses that are complimentary to mine.  This is a great opportunity to network and learn how we can help each other’s businesses grow.

Joining a national professional association puts me in a room with the big players in my industry.  I was able to meet national speakers, state bar directors, and the officers of the association.  This is a great opportunity to introduce myself and the work that I do.  Now when I send an email, I can include “It was so nice speaking to you at the ACLEA convention this summer. I hope you had a safe trip home to Colorado…”  I’m no longer sending “cold” emails. 

How can a professional association benefit your career?

Speak to people in your industry.  Ask them which organizations they are affiliated with.  In your industry, the local association may be the best way to network and make connections.  Maybe there are a few professional associations that you should look into joining; maybe there is only one.  You won’t know until you do some research.

Start your research today!

Alumni Networking

Alumni connections are strong. 

A common alma mater is an incredibly helpful connection to have when you are searching for an internship, job or mentor.  The more connections you have with someone, the more likely they will be willing to help you.

Within your network of alumni, there are alumni with whom you will find that you have a stronger connection.  These are the alumni who share a similar college experience with you.

For example, if you played football in college, reaching out to alumni who were past team members will be very effective.  If you were in a sorority, reaching out to sisters who graduated before you and have established their careers will provide a great resource of mentors. 

By pinpointing these alumni, you have a better chance of making a lasting connection.  You not only share the same alma mater, but a similar college experience.  The conversation will flow easily as they inquire about what has changed and what has stayed the same.  They will want to meet with you and reminisce about their college experiences.

The next question, of course, is how to find these alumni.

Look to the groups, teams, and organizations that you belonged to while in college.  Many will plan at least one alumni event each year.  These are great networking events for students as well as alumni. Attend and bring plenty of business cards. 

As an alum, you may also have access to a local or national directory.  Take some time to search through it.  Prepare pointed emails to the people that you would like to meet.  Use your networking profile and ask if you could take him or her out for a cup coffee.  You may be surprised how quickly your calendar will fill up.

Another great resource to use to connect with alumni with a similar college experience is to utilize LinkedIn.  There may be groups for your team, club or organization.  If there is not a group already established, start one!

On LinkedIn, you may be able to use advanced search features to narrow alumni by the years that they attended college and the activities that they were involved in.

Of course, don’t forget to make yourself an available resource as an alum.  Whether you can offer advice to an underclassman or guide a high school student though the college admissions process, your kindness will not be forgotten.

When you pay it forward, you make networking work for you. 

Learn While You Network

Learning or improving a new skill can improve your career prospects.  It can make you more marketable to potential employers are more essential to your current employer.

Learning a new skill can also expand your network.


Sign up for a seminar that interests you.  Perhaps you want to improve your graphic design skills with a course in Adobe Photoshop.  Maybe you would like to improve your public speaking skills.  Or, perhaps your local professional association is hosting a seminar that will improve your knowledge in a particular area.

Before you attend, research the topic and speakers.  Jot down a few questions that you would like to ask.  At the seminar, keep your questions nearby and be sure to write down answers if the questions happen to be addressed. As the seminar progresses, write down additional questions that you may have.

While at the seminar, put your cell phone away.  Introduce yourself to the other attendees.  Exchange business cards.  Make small talk.

If the seminar format permits, ask intelligent questions. After the seminar, introduce yourself to the speakers, thank them for their time and ask to exchange contact information. Explain your situation.  Are you new to the industry?  Are you seeking to specialize in their field? Follow-up with the speakers that you meet by sending an email to thank them again for an entertaining and educational seminar.

Make it a point to expand your skills and your network by attending a seminar regularly.  Once a month would be great, but simply is not possible for everyone.  If money or time does not permit, set an attendance schedule that works for you.

Expand your skills and expand your network by signing up for a seminar today!

5 Tips for Networking in the New Year

Will this be the year that you take the next step in your career? Here are a few quick tips to make networking work for you in 2012.

Follow Up

Have you been slacking on your emails? Have you failed to follow up with someone after an introduction? Take the next week to make a list of everyone you need to send a follow up email to.  Then, do it. Wishing your contact a Happy New Year is a great way to reestablish your connection.

Get Organized

Do you have business cards strewn about across your desk, in your pockets, on the floor of car and at the bottom of your purse? Purchase a business card file book to organize your contacts.  After writing a quick note on the back of the business card indicating where and when you met the person and what you spoke about, simply slip the card into the file. 

Use Your Calendar

Whether you use paper, digital, or your phone to keep track of your appointments, calendar a few events for networking in 2012.  Look to your alma mater as well as your local newspaper for opportunities to network.  Put it on your calendar and get ready to network.

Commit Your Time

How will you spend your time in 2012? Commit yourself to joining a new organization or spending more time with an organization you already belong to.  Perhaps you could take on a leadership role or committee position.  

Introduce

Is there someone that you can introduce a friend to in your network? Take the time to write that introductory email or make that phone call. Your kindness won’t be forgotten. 

Happy New Year!

The New Year is upon us and with it countless resolutions, many of which may be abandoned and forgotten before February 1.

What can you do to make your resolution stick?

Each year, I make a list of New Year’s resolutions.  More than resolutions, these are goals that I set for myself in the New Year.  This past year, for the first year that I could remember, I accomplished the majority of my goals.  I didn’t accomplish all of my goals, but 10/11 isn’t too shabby.

While I don’t claim to be an expert on goal setting, I can offer you a few tips to make your resolutions stick.

Make a List

Write down your goals and keep them somewhere that you can see them each and every day.  If you have to look your goals in the eye, you are more likely to take the necessary steps to accomplish them.  

Check It Twice

What are your goals? After you have written your goals, review them.  Are they truly representative of what you would like to accomplish? If you don’t really care about whether or not you learn to play the guitar, you won’t put the time and energy into practicing. Check your goals to make sure they are goals you will truly work towards achieving.

Choose Measurable Goals, Not Lofty Goals

When you write your goals, make them as specific as possible.  For example, “be more adventurous” is difficult to measure.  But “be more adventurous and go skydiving” is clearly measurable.  After you’ve taken the leap, you have been more adventurous in 2012.

No Goal Too Small

There is no such thing as a goal that “isn’t good enough.” If you would like to accomplish it, it is big enough.  Just because a goal is more manageable, doesn’t mean that accomplishing it is less satisfying.

No Goal Too Large

What would you like to accomplish in 2012 that seems out of your reach?  It’s not.  You may need help.  

Last year, I wrote a goal that I thought was “too big.”  I wanted to write and publish a book.  In September of 2011, I accomplished my goal.  But I didn’t do it alone.  I needed to reach out to colleagues, friends, and of course my family.  I needed to commit myself for months to accomplish this goal.  I needed to really want to write my book. 

Maybe your goal seems too far out of reach. Put in on your 2012 list anyway.  Then, figure out how you will accomplish it.  What small steps do you need to take? Who do you need to meet? Look to your network for the assistance that you need to accomplish your goals. 

2012 is going to be a great year.  What will you do to make it outstanding?