eight traps.networking
TRANSCRIPT
Eight Traps of Networking (& Tips) When Job Searching
Johanna Rothman Author of Manage Your Job Search
www.jrothman.com @johannarothman [email protected]
781-641-4046
© 2015 Johanna Rothman
The Problems with Networking
You know you need to network
You need loose connections
There are several problems:
You might feel slimy, not
authentic
How often can you go to
yet-another-meeting?
You are shy or introverted
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© 2015 Johanna Rothman
Poll: How Long Have You Been Networking for a Job?
Fewer than 3 months
3-6 months
6-12 months
More than a year
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© 2015 Johanna Rothman
Determine Your Goals With Your Networking
A new job (duh!)
Background networking
What you do all the time
Target list networking
With specific companies/
people in mind
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© 2015 Johanna Rothman
Trap #1: Spray and Pray
Do not spray your resume
everywhere
Do not send it unrequested
to people
Tip: Research companies &
people for your target list
Find a way to network with
your target list5
© 2015 Johanna Rothman
Trap #2: You Have to Leave the House to Network
It’s tempting to network from
your chair
Hard to build rapport
Hard to make warm
connections
Tip: Go to at least one
professional meeting a week
Volunteer
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© 2015 Johanna Rothman
Trap #3: You Think You Have to “Work a Room”
You should not do anything that is
inauthentic
Introverts and extroverts meet
people differently
Tip: Have a goal for your networking
Some # people
Your table at a dinner meeting
The speaker
Volunteer at a professional org.
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© 2015 Johanna Rothman
Trap #4: You Network in the Same Places
You do want people to get
to know you
Are you meeting people on
your target list? If not,
change
Tip: Find one new meeting/
meetup each week
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© 2015 Johanna Rothman
Trap #5: You Feel as If All You Do Is Network
You go to so many
meetings, you feel as if all
you do is network and it’s
not working
Tip: Reflect on your goals
so you know if you are
doing useful networking
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© 2015 Johanna Rothman
Trap #6: Other “Stuff ” is More Important
You have a life: other people and
maybe children
You didn’t see results, so you
stop going to meetings
Question: Are you putting
yourself first?
Tip: Track your time for a week
and see how much time you
spend on your job search10
© 2015 Johanna Rothman
Trap #7: You Feel Like an Impostor
Impostor syndrome is real
Sign of poor self-esteem
Tip: Make sure you have
value in your LinkedIn
profile and on your resume
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© 2015 Johanna Rothman
Trap #8: You Don’t Have a Complete LinkedIn Profile
I see too many “zombies”
on LinkedIn
No picture
Inadequate description of
previous work
Tip: LinkedIn tells you when
your profile is complete
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© 2015 Johanna Rothman
Minimum for LinkedIn
Your picture: Headshot of you and only you
Headline
Contact Information
If you have URLs, name them
Name your profile, example: www.linkedin.com/in/johannarothman
Barebones profile
Recommendations
Give and receive
Endorsements (not very useful anymore)
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© 2015 Johanna Rothman
A LinkedIn Poll
I hate LinkedIn and don’t use it
I don’t have a picture on my LinkedIn profile
My LinkedIn Profile is pretty good.
LinkedIn tells me my profile is an All-Star
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© 2015 Johanna Rothman
BonusTip: Show Your Value
Every line on your profile or resume has to
articulate your value
Use English sentences
Explain how you did something
Old: Software project manager for Lisp-on-a-Chip.
Value/Action/Method
As the software project manager for the new
Lisp-on-a-Chip, I encouraged collaboration at all
levels of the organization. Internally, this allowed
us to deliver milestones monthly, to see the
product evolve, and to build trust. Externally, this
allowed us to meet our aggressive 9-month
trade-show deadline.
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© 2015 Johanna Rothman
Social Networking Greases Wheels for In-Person Networking
Social networking makes it
possible for you to have a
warm connection with
someone when you meet
them in person
Start at building rapport
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© 2015 Johanna Rothman17
Provide value to get value. Be yourself.
Always be authentic.
© 2015 Johanna Rothman
Let’s Stay In Touch...
Pragmatic Manager:
www.jrothman.com/pragmaticmanager
Please link with me on LinkedIn
www.linkedin.com/in/johannarothman
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