Even MORE Networking Tips

Q. What do you think about personal business cards? If you’re in between jobs, personal cards can be very useful when you’re doing a lot of networking. What else can you leave behind? Pulling out a resume at a business function doesn’t quite work. If you get creative, you can use a personal business card as a mini-resume. There are lots of interesting layouts (including folded cards) that offer great possibilities for using a personal business card as a sales tool. Be sure that when you give a card, you receive one. If you don’t, you leave the opportunity for follow-up exclusively with the other person.

Q. Should I develop a 2-minute statement to use when networking to include what have I done, what I am looking to do? Do I attend events and network using my statement? Many career transition/outplacement coaches encourage the development of this sort of short “elevator pitch.” The real point behind the advice is to help you get clear with yourself! It’s not so much about creating the perfect 2- minute pitch (by the way 2 minutes is a long time to hold someone’s attention in the course of a normal conversation.) So, what you should be clear about?

You should be clear about:

• Key outcomes you’ve driven.
• Strengths you want to tap in your next job.
• Contributions you want to make in your next opportunity. To paraphrase Jack Kennedy, ask not what the company will do for you, ask what you will do for the company.
• What would you like from the person with whom you’re talking (your Courageous Ask.™) For example, if you want your next position to be in the healthcare industry in North Carolina, ask if they know anyone in healthcare in NC. Being clear and comfortable and able to switch your “ask”, is really what that advice means.

The bottom line is that you don’t want to come across as rehearsed and scripted, but as able to naturally weave your capabilities and “ask” into a conversation. That being said, if you attend job search networking groups, you will be asked to stand up with a pitch!

I’d love to hear your stories about networking successes? Or your questions!

Network ON!
By Susan Colantuono