By Sunny Simon
If you are spending hours exhausting online job search engines and coming up blank, it’s time to get personal. Start by limiting the time you allocate to those alluring websites allowing you to search by job, location, industry or other nuances such as the number of companies where you can take your dog to work. Focus instead on some good old fashion face-to-face networking.
Our reliance on technology sometimes becomes a determent to developing solid relationships. Granted used correctly, social media is a viable networking tool, however sometimes you must simply put your smart phone aside and think about attending a networking meeting in person. That’s right, no texting, online chats or racing to see how many contacts you can rack up on LinkedIn. Get social at a physical location where you can meet people, share thoughts, experiences and possible job leads. Given the right approach, it is far easier to stand out in person versus trying to make your online resume do all the talking for you.
Hit the pause button for a moment before heading off to a networking event. If you haven’t tried this in awhile, there are a few things requiring review. Prepare for the event by putting some polish on your social graces. Never underestimate the power of small talk. Attend the meeting armed with some conversation starters. Then hone your communication skills by taking a sincere interest in others. Get to know an individual before drilling down on who they know. Prior to offering your card, make eye contact and spend a few moments practicing active listening. The cardinal rule of networking is respect the duality of the process. What suggestions can you make to add value to the conversation? Additionally, remember to relax and have fun. A little humor can go a long way in breaking the ice and making a good impression.
Lastly, act on the reason for your attendance. Talk about your career aspirations and experience in a concise manner. Have your pitch clearly defined and never hog the air time. Most importantly, once you have invested time into making new contacts, do your homework by scheduling follow-ups. If you committed to making a coffee date with an attendee, sending your resume, or creating an introduction for a colleague do so promptly. Continue to focus on live networking strategies. By coupling face-to-face meetings with online activities you will score more interviews that lead to a coveted job offer.
