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?