The Art of Creating and Maintaining

Career Connections

9 march 2010

Networking

Objectives

Have a cross-cultural discussion on what networking means for us

Explore how we can enhance and embrace networking in our professional and personal lives.

Develop and Practice our 90 - second elevator introduction

Agenda

Demystifying Networking

Creating Your Strategic Networking Plan

The “Elevator Speech “: Telling Your Story

What is Networking?

the art of building relationships and cultivate them for mutual benefit

a two-way sharing of information about different topics, such as careers.

It is a way of life

Networking in the US

A win-win situation

A way of life

Transparent & Direct

Structured & Goal Focused

Online & in-person

TIP: Be a Thought Leader!

Define Your Objectives and Goals

Objectives: meet people in my field of work/business or area of interest obtain an overview of different types of jobs / clients /competitors learn how I can transition to another career Make new friendsYour Objectives: _________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________Goals: Find the key people in my field/industry to….. Know the local job market / industry Have a rich social life Transition into a new careerYour Goals: _________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________

What does your Network Look like?

Volunteer Activities

Participants in workshops/classes

Parents of your children’s classmates/friends

Professional Associations & chambers of commerce

Alumni/contacts from your university/school

The larger “expat” community

Gym, library and hobbies

Former & current colleagues and employers

Church, synagogue, mosque, temple..

Online networking: Linked In, Facebook,start a blog etc.

What does your Network Look like?

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The “Elevator Speech” – Story telling!

Think of your brief introduction as your story. A good story or speech has a beginning (1), a middle (2) and an end(3). In rhetoric it is known as the rule of three: "Government of the people,

by the people, and for the people" (Abraham Lincoln, 1863).

Beginning (past): Who are you and where have you been? What makes you special? Middle(now): What are you good at? Area of expertise? Why are you here? End (future): What can you do for them? (find a common ground, offer

solutions) What do you want?

Tell Your 90- second Story!

1.__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2.__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3.__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Next Steps

1. Create a map of people you know and where they are

2. Identify gaps in your map, &3. Start working on filling those gaps by:

1. Joining professional associations & chambers of commerce

2. Volunteer!

3. Make connections in your daily life

4. Reconnecting with old friends and colleagues

5. Take a class or/and Teach a class

6. Join expat groups & use online networking opportunities

4. Continuously practice and revise your “90-second story”

Thank You!Merci beaucoup!

Contact: Katarina Holm-DiDioCross-cultural Career Coach and

Trainerkhdidio@gmail.com