How to Overcome Obstacles in your Job Search
Posted: 12.03.2015
By Donna Messer, ConnectUs International Inc.
It’s effective, ethical networking that gets you the results you need!
Have you ever wondered why some people seem to have all the luck? Why some people always seem to be at the right place at the right time when it comes to a job search? Is it Luck? No........
It’s using effective networking strategies!
As a student, I was always the leader; I never could understand why - until one day, I realized that when I was in charge, everyone had the opportunity to “shine”. I always formed committees, using the strengths of everyone who participated. We almost always won, we often came first and we had the most fun! Why? Because we were a team! With everyone pulling in the same direction, everyone was equal.
As I got older, I formed new relationships, started new friendships and got involved in a variety of activities. A repetition of my student days, I again took the lead. As time passed I found myself keeping in touch with many of the people I worked with, collecting their business cards, and dropping them a line just to say hello. Quite often asking them if they needed anything. I was amazed at how many times someone would say, “as a matter of fact I am looking for ….”, and I would be able to “connect” them to someone who could provide them with what they needed.
I enjoyed the challenge of finding solutions for people. I would stretch my imagination, and try and find someone in my list of contacts that might be able to help.
My list of contacts began to grow and was soon alphabetized and placed in binders. Comments were placed on the back of each card so that I could remember why I had kept the card. I was becoming an expert at “connecting”. Almost every time I met someone I would ask if I could help them.
Word spread, and the phone began to ring. People were calling, they wanted to connect with others who could help them find a solution or achieve a goal.
I decided that I would bring these people together and see if I couldn’t help everyone at the same time. Wednesday night was designated as the night to “connect”. The first “connection” night about a dozen people who showed up. I facilitated the meeting and asked that each person identify themselves; then explain what they needed. I kept notes and asked everyone attending to think about whom they knew that could help the others in the group get closer to their goal.
The room was electrifying, with everyone was concentrating on helping the person speaking. Trying to find a connection that could help that person achieve their goal! By the time the last person had identified their needs, everyone in the room was contributing their resources. It was amazing!
Within a few weeks, the original 12 had talked to friends and associates and suddenly there were 60 people all wanting to be part of the Wednesday night program. I knew I had to structure the program so that everyone could have a chance to identify them self and ask for what they needed. I decided to keep everyone to a one minute introduction, and I volunteered to help them perfect it. Using a little creativity, I came up with SMILE & ASK, An effective one minute “infomercial” was born.
SMILE & ASK
Ten Rules for Good Networking
ConnectUs International Inc. is the official company name. I still work with individuals and help them find that perfect career, but I tend to concentrate on major corporations whose employees need to learn the effective art of networking. My clients include major banks, trust companies, accounting and legal firms, government agencies and education. I still hold those workshops....
My name is Donna Messer, How Can I Help You?
Donna Messer is the author of “Effective Networking Strategies” she is a freelance journalist who writes for more than a dozen national publications. As a motivational keynote speaker, she travels across Canada and throughout the world sharing her contacts and teaching effective networking skills. She can be reached at www.connectuscanada.com
It’s effective, ethical networking that gets you the results you need!
Have you ever wondered why some people seem to have all the luck? Why some people always seem to be at the right place at the right time when it comes to a job search? Is it Luck? No........
It’s using effective networking strategies!
- Networking is knowing the right people, and using, but not abusing those connections.
- Networking is giving not just getting. It’s helping others help themselves.
- Networking is asking for what you want, but offering to share what you have.
- Networking is really listening, while trying to find a link that will benefit both sides.
- Networking is lateral thinking, trying to find a “fit” in every situation.
- Networking is being a creative thinker, finding a way to make a profitable connection.
- Networking is like being a marriage broker - making the introduction after checking the credentials.
- Networking is learning to build strategic alliances with others whose strength is your weakness.
- Networking is joint venturing with others who can add value to you job search.
- Networking is being willing to share who you know, who they know and what they can do to help you find that perfect job.
As a student, I was always the leader; I never could understand why - until one day, I realized that when I was in charge, everyone had the opportunity to “shine”. I always formed committees, using the strengths of everyone who participated. We almost always won, we often came first and we had the most fun! Why? Because we were a team! With everyone pulling in the same direction, everyone was equal.
As I got older, I formed new relationships, started new friendships and got involved in a variety of activities. A repetition of my student days, I again took the lead. As time passed I found myself keeping in touch with many of the people I worked with, collecting their business cards, and dropping them a line just to say hello. Quite often asking them if they needed anything. I was amazed at how many times someone would say, “as a matter of fact I am looking for ….”, and I would be able to “connect” them to someone who could provide them with what they needed.
I enjoyed the challenge of finding solutions for people. I would stretch my imagination, and try and find someone in my list of contacts that might be able to help.
My list of contacts began to grow and was soon alphabetized and placed in binders. Comments were placed on the back of each card so that I could remember why I had kept the card. I was becoming an expert at “connecting”. Almost every time I met someone I would ask if I could help them.
Word spread, and the phone began to ring. People were calling, they wanted to connect with others who could help them find a solution or achieve a goal.
I decided that I would bring these people together and see if I couldn’t help everyone at the same time. Wednesday night was designated as the night to “connect”. The first “connection” night about a dozen people who showed up. I facilitated the meeting and asked that each person identify themselves; then explain what they needed. I kept notes and asked everyone attending to think about whom they knew that could help the others in the group get closer to their goal.
The room was electrifying, with everyone was concentrating on helping the person speaking. Trying to find a connection that could help that person achieve their goal! By the time the last person had identified their needs, everyone in the room was contributing their resources. It was amazing!
Within a few weeks, the original 12 had talked to friends and associates and suddenly there were 60 people all wanting to be part of the Wednesday night program. I knew I had to structure the program so that everyone could have a chance to identify them self and ask for what they needed. I decided to keep everyone to a one minute introduction, and I volunteered to help them perfect it. Using a little creativity, I came up with SMILE & ASK, An effective one minute “infomercial” was born.
SMILE & ASK
- Start by giving a smile
- Make eye contact
- Introduce yourself
- Let people know what you do
- Explain what you need
- Ask how you help them
- Say thank you
- Keep in touch
Ten Rules for Good Networking
- Be prepared
- Be open minded
- Don’t be afraid to ask
- Treat everyone as equals
- Build on information, not status
- Say thank you
- Don’t waste your resources
- Give without expectation
- Set realistic and achievable goals
- Be committed and determined
ConnectUs International Inc. is the official company name. I still work with individuals and help them find that perfect career, but I tend to concentrate on major corporations whose employees need to learn the effective art of networking. My clients include major banks, trust companies, accounting and legal firms, government agencies and education. I still hold those workshops....
My name is Donna Messer, How Can I Help You?
Donna Messer is the author of “Effective Networking Strategies” she is a freelance journalist who writes for more than a dozen national publications. As a motivational keynote speaker, she travels across Canada and throughout the world sharing her contacts and teaching effective networking skills. She can be reached at www.connectuscanada.com
