Networking Dos and Don’ts
Posted: 12.07.2015
Through our many years of experience at in meeting and coaching individuals in career transition, we have identified a number of errors people make while networking which do not produce the results they were looking to achieve. To be effective in networking here are six important items to pay close attention to that will lead to productive meetings.
1. Do prepare for your meetings. Establishing contact with decision makers and setting arrangements to meet with them isn’t the achievement; this only happens after you have executed a successful meeting which is the result of proper preparation and research.
Know yourself and communicate who you are in detail. Generalities are not means of communicating who you are. Knowledge is power and the more knowledgeable you are about yourself the more powerful your presentation will be. Know what you want to say about yourself. Identify and document 8 to 10 key success factors and achievements you want to communicate and practice the presentation.
2. Do communicate specifically and assertively your key success factors, achievements and experiences in every networking meeting. You can never predict which decision maker will be most helpful and you never get a second chance to make and leave a good impression.
3. Do ask people if you can keep them informed of your progress. These people have invested time in you by agreeing to meet with and help you and they will want to know what happens in your job search. It is imperative that you keep them informed, otherwise they may feel they were used. They may have also become another set of ears for you in the market place and you never know when they may hear of potential opportunities that may be of interest to you.
4. Do follow up all networking meetings with a thank-you letter. What better way to demonstrate your professionalism, solidify the good impression you made at the meeting and get your name across the decision maker’s desk one more time. You need to be remembered favorably and the thank you letter will go a long way to ensure this happens.
5. Don’t be dishonest with people. Tell them you are on an active marketing campaign to find a new opportunity and the purpose of requesting this meeting is to assist you in locating this job and you do not expect them to have or know of any current opportunities. What you want is advice and information. When you ask for information you ask people to share their knowledge and when you ask for advice you ask people to share their wisdom.
6. Don’t come across as being desperate. This does not leave a good impression and may indicate to people that you do not handle stressful or crisis situations well. Remember, you only get one chance to make and leave a good impression.
Murray J. Nahnybida is Director of Client Services, RD Group International with over 20 years experience in career transition.
Click Here for your Free Career Evaluation. Contact RD Group by Phone (416) 363-9241 or Fax (416) 363-9246 or by Email toronto@rdgroupint.ca
1. Do prepare for your meetings. Establishing contact with decision makers and setting arrangements to meet with them isn’t the achievement; this only happens after you have executed a successful meeting which is the result of proper preparation and research.
Know yourself and communicate who you are in detail. Generalities are not means of communicating who you are. Knowledge is power and the more knowledgeable you are about yourself the more powerful your presentation will be. Know what you want to say about yourself. Identify and document 8 to 10 key success factors and achievements you want to communicate and practice the presentation.
2. Do communicate specifically and assertively your key success factors, achievements and experiences in every networking meeting. You can never predict which decision maker will be most helpful and you never get a second chance to make and leave a good impression.
3. Do ask people if you can keep them informed of your progress. These people have invested time in you by agreeing to meet with and help you and they will want to know what happens in your job search. It is imperative that you keep them informed, otherwise they may feel they were used. They may have also become another set of ears for you in the market place and you never know when they may hear of potential opportunities that may be of interest to you.
4. Do follow up all networking meetings with a thank-you letter. What better way to demonstrate your professionalism, solidify the good impression you made at the meeting and get your name across the decision maker’s desk one more time. You need to be remembered favorably and the thank you letter will go a long way to ensure this happens.
5. Don’t be dishonest with people. Tell them you are on an active marketing campaign to find a new opportunity and the purpose of requesting this meeting is to assist you in locating this job and you do not expect them to have or know of any current opportunities. What you want is advice and information. When you ask for information you ask people to share their knowledge and when you ask for advice you ask people to share their wisdom.
6. Don’t come across as being desperate. This does not leave a good impression and may indicate to people that you do not handle stressful or crisis situations well. Remember, you only get one chance to make and leave a good impression.
Murray J. Nahnybida is Director of Client Services, RD Group International with over 20 years experience in career transition.
Click Here for your Free Career Evaluation. Contact RD Group by Phone (416) 363-9241 or Fax (416) 363-9246 or by Email toronto@rdgroupint.ca
