Extreme Networking

FEI Career Services

April 8, 2008

Presenters:

Dave Fogel

Dave Noymer

Extreme Networking

Tonight's Agenda:

• What Worked for Dave & Dave

• Group Networking Exercise

• “Extreme Networking” Presentation

• Feedback, Recap, & Key “Take-aways”

Extreme NetworkingSources

• Sources of job leads– Contact Network– Web robots (many sources)

– Monster.com– Yahoo group e-mails– FEI Career Services– FENG– Boston.com– Wall Street Journal– Linked In– MSCPA– Craigslist

• Source of interviews– CONTACT

NETWORK

Extreme NetworkingOther Job Search Strategies

Creative Search• Reverse engineering• Upgrade roles• Assist recruiters• Matchmaker• Associate

Meeting People• Seminars by

professionals• Association events• Breakfasts• Industry Expos• Product Demos

Extreme NetworkingReverse Engineering

• Learn as much as you can on your own

• Register with and build an online network as a virtual resource

• Use as an online resource

• Use public company

proxies on Edgar for

information on people

Extreme Networking

Networking Exercise

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The initial responsibility for figuring yourself out is yours, and YOU should come to your networking contacts prepared to say:

“I’ve done my homework, and everything points to my being successful doing ______________.”

Extreme Networking

Networking Foundation I

• Networking is most effective face-to-face

• Remember, the first impression is the lasting one

• All contacts are good contacts

• Don’t judge a book by its cover

Extreme Networking

Networking Foundation II

• You must network perpetually

• Always offer to help others

• Keep your message clear

• Zag when others zig

• Keep in touch with your network

Extreme Networking

• Determine what you want– Perform a detailed self-assessment

• Establish a frame of reference– Level of attainment

• Compensation requirements

– Roles & functions• What skills & abilities can you contribute?

– Setting• Recent successes? Is it similar to where you want to go?

Preparation

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How to Present Yourself

• Introduce yourself in a clear, compelling & upbeat manner

• Carry business cards at all times (vistaprint.com™)

• Be clear about what you want

• Follow up regularly

• Be a contact for contacts

Extreme Networking

Be Organized• This is a process, not an event

• Maintain contact – whether or not your career search is active

• Outlook, PDA, or Rolodex database

• Listen carefully

• Do what you say you will do – report back on a timely basis

Extreme Networking

The 4 Network Categories

• Personal Relationships

• Professional Relationships

• Organizations & Community Affiliations

• Opportunistic Networks

Source: The Wall Street Journal – Networking © 1994

Extreme NetworkingPersonal Relationships

• Immediate family

• Relatives, near & far

• Close friends, neighbors & casual acquaintances

• Distant friends, old friends, ex-roommates, old flames, drinking buddies, fair weather friends

• Personal Service Providers: Doctor, lawyer, dentist, insurance agent, broker, personal banker, barber, or tailor

• Minister, priest, rabbi, psychologist, counselor

• Members of country clubs, social clubs, fraternal organizations, school parent groups, sports teams

Extreme NetworkingProfessional Relationships

• Colleagues in your organization: superiors, subordinates, peers, administrative assistants, support staff

• Colleagues in other organizations: customers, clients, collaborators

• Vendors, consultants, contractors

• Lawyers, accountants, bankers & investment bankers

• Competitors & professionals acquaintances

• Joint venturers, investors, shareholders

• Lobbyists, regulators, licensors

• Ad agency, PR firm or marketing representative

Extreme NetworkingOrganizational & Community Affiliations

• Boards of Directors, trustees, & advisory boards

• Community & volunteer organizations

• Professional, cultural, & civic organizations

• Philanthropic organizations

• Fundraising groups

• Business development organizations, chambers of commerce

• Certifying or licensing bodies

Extreme NetworkingOpportunistic Networks

• The other guy bumped off the 6:00AM shuttle

• The pedestrian you just hit with your car who turns out to be your brother-in-law’s college roommate

• The chance meeting at Starbuck’s

• Brush the snow off the couple with the Patriots season tickets next to you

• All other 149 participants at the FEI Boston dinner

Extreme Networking How do I deal with too many contacts?

• Learn your ABC’s – Separate your contacts between A’s (key contacts), B’s

(good contacts), C’s (weak contacts)

• Don’t ACT!™ Alone– Use a contact database to get organized (e.g. Outlook)

• Read your Palm™

(or Treo™

)

– Get a handheld tool to stay organized & on time!

Extreme NetworkingPrioritizing your Contacts

• Proximity– People you know best, trust most & feel

most comfortable

• Perspective– The ones who know a lot & are

well-connected

• Power– Formal/informal authority to get things

done: open doors, call-in favors, make sure you’re seen by the right people

Lev

el o

f P

repa

rati

on

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Networking Events

Preparation• Connect with a friend or

mentor for introductions• Remember your business

cards!• Prepare a ‘30 second’

personal intro (elevator pitch)

• Prepare small talk topics• Don’t go hungry!

Meeting & Connecting• Be early or on time! (most real

networking happens before & after the meeting)

• Keep Moving! (if not a friendly group excuse yourself & move on)But NO speed networking!!!!

• Write notes on business cards you receive to remember people

• Get to know the event leaders & volunteer

Extreme NetworkingCreate a Group

• Forming your own group is the best way to meet people– You control the environment, audience, & contact

information/flow

– Introductions made at events are tagged to your value

• Great excuse to make contact with people– GREAT excuse to ask for more names

• If you want to start slower, run a committee for an existing organization

Extreme Networking

@ Meeting Do’s & Don’tsDo’s

• Research before attending

• ‘Is this a good time?’• Summarize who you

are/what you want• Seek information• Listen & ‘Thanks’

Don’ts• Be pushy• Discuss compensation• Ask for a job• Come unprepared• Interrupt

Extreme NetworkingHow to communicate from afar?

• Email messages– ONE screen– Short & to the point

• Phone calls– What do I say?– Do I leave a message?– If so, what do I do now?

• Referrals

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Questions & Answers

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Thank You and Good Luck!!!