Special Blog Entry from Erica (EB) Baumer - Networking Tips

Erica (EB) Baumer is a Career and Life Consultant whose professionalism and insight I greatly respect.  Below you will find content about networking, courtesy of Erica.

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You want a job? Start networking--yesterday. It is no more or less simple that that. And guess what? Whether you know it or not, you already have a network to use.

Another fact...networking is fun. Even for Introverts like me. You just need to approach it with the right attitude.

"Real networking is connecting. The more authentic you are, the more resilient and valuable networks you can create. You can learn networking techniques that rely on being true to yourself, using strengths you already have." ( Devora Zack, Author of Networking for People who Hate Networking)
I agree 100%. Networking should feel like a conversation. It is a time to find common ground with another human being in this world.

In Chapter Six of that book, Devora she spells out almost everything you need to know about preparing for the nightmare of networking at a conference and coming out on top. (In addition, I would suggest presenting at the conference yourself. It gives you a reason to go and then you can't "get out of it.") Extroverts tend to like to go to conferences just to go. Although they could benefit from reading this chapter in order to best prepare for a conference.

If you are not going to conferences and need to network now...then follow my tips...and you know I'll have more. I love to tell people what to do.

1. Informational Interviews are the major way you network. You find someone you want to work for, work with or works in the field you want to know more about and interview them. This may be a short interview, it may be a lunch, it may be a guided tour of the company or the organization. This is great for Introverts because they can prepare ahead of time. How do you find someone? Check with your network to find someone, see point 2. Here is a good description of informational interviewing-- http://shiftingcareers.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/01/29/mastering-the-informational-interview/
2. People need to remember that networking contacts are not unreal people in conferences. They are human beings with human feelings. This need not be hard because it is about building new relationships and making friends and connecting and reconnecting. Now Introverts do find that overwhelming sometimes. So your current network can be your best ally in introducing you to new people so you don't have to do it yourself. These are: Everyone in your family (even aunts, uncles, cousins, second cousins), high school teachers, college professors, any co-worker you have ever had, any manager (even when you worked at hardees), everyone on linked-in, your priest or rabbi or other religious figure--if that's your thing, any people have met at those dreaded conferences (obviously be careful about current supervisors or co-workers who blab). As I like to say, you never know who knows someone you want to know. My brother knows Bon Jovi, Newt Gingrich, and Aretha Franklin. Not that it matters, but that is kinda cool. I say that to this: when you are job searching tell everyone you know about it. See if they can help you get an informational interview.
3. Ask anyone _you don't know_ to be in your network (all they can do is ignore you or say "no." )" No" is not a four letter word...not the last time I checked. Go on Linkedin and go on the chat groups and contact people of common interest. Go to Facebook. Read books on your interest and e-mail the author (Introverts) or call (Extroverts)--although I find that in this electronic world that emailing is successful for anyone. I have done this and I have met authors of books in person while researching a PhD. Program. A friend of mine recently googled a film archiving office because he wanted an internship. He called them and asked them if they would take him as an intern (no listing, they never heard of him) and they asked for a resume and hired him. This happens ALL THE TIME.
Network with me. I am here too.
EB
EB (Erica Baumer), MS
ebaumer consulting, llc