networking 101 presentation

Networking

________________Employment & Career Services Committee

Networking Workshop

Lee StognerRegion 3

[email protected]


Seminar OverviewOverview of the Importance of Networking and Tapping into Your Network Exercise 1: Taking the First Steps Expanding Your Network Exercise 2: Networking Scavenger Hunt Networking Techniques Exercise 3: Let's Network


Importance of NetworkingTake control of your job searchNetworking is an on-going processTapping intoExpandingFollow-upWho thinks networking is important?


Job hunting tactics


Networking is the best way to job huntTell everyone youre lookingTell them what youre looking forGet a boost to the top of the pile with a referralUse the alumni connectionMake yourself worth endorsing


Tapping into your NetworkWho makes up your existing network?


Tapping into your NetworkWho makes up your existing network? References Present/former managers and colleagues Fellow IEEE membersOld school friends and alumni association members Friends, family, neighbors, etc.


Six Degrees of SeparationWe are connected to everyone else in the world by no more than six friends-of-friendsSix Degrees: The Science of a Connected Age, Duncan WattsLinked: How Everything Is Connected To Everything Else and What It Means, Albert-Laszlo Barabasiin


What If I Am Shy ?25% of us are IntrovertsWhat can I do ?Discard incorrect notionsLearn about yourselfBecome a good listenerConnect to your passionVolunteer to help othersUse good body language


Diversify Your NetworkInvest in a high risk stockInvest in another sectorInvest internationallyInvest in different maturities


To uncover hidden job leads, take advantage of the GrapevineGenerate interestReview and revise your resumeArrange informal meetingsEstablish your position in the grapevineVisualize yourself in a different job


To uncover hidden job leads, take advantage of the GrapevineImprove your communication skillsNote and analyze the information flow through your grapevineEvaluate and revise your plan when necessary


Use the web to prepare for EventsNews sitesBusiness / Financial sitesTrade magazine sitesSpecialized sitesPress releasesCareer SitesIEEE


Use the web to prepare for Events

http://www.ieeeusa.org/careers/



http://www.ieee.org/r3jobs/



http://www.usnpl.com/


Networking ToolkitUpdated resumeBusiness cards company or personalElevator speechEvent research business, social, companyNew clothesLook in the mirrorMake a PLAN


Structured Networking GroupsOnline social networksFrienster.comLinkedin.comZerodegrees.comBusiness clubsProfessional societiesCharity organizations


Structured Networking Groups

https://www.ieeecommunities.org/ecs


Stay ConnectedNetwork activelyContinue to socializeBe open to everyone you meetJoin a job-search groupStrengthen your spiritual tiesVolunteer to help othersDont view yourself as damaged goods


Networking as simple as 1-2-3Step 1: Prepare before the eventStep 2: Learn to listenStep 3: Follow-up after the event


Exercise #1Taking the first steps

Pair up in twos


Exercise #1What do you have in common with a stranger?


Expanding your NetworkWays to extend your existing network?


Expanding your NetworkWays to extend your existing network? Phone callsLetters or newsletter Join a professional society or civic organization Internet newsgroupsConsultants and consultants' networks Technical conferences, workshopsSomeone at a company you'd like to work for Recruiters, headhunters


Exercise #2Networking Scavenger Hunt


Networking Scavenger HuntInstructions: Read the items listed below; then find someone in the group who fits the bill for each item. Ask him/her to sign the blank next to the item which applies. (Any one individual may sign for only one item on your list.) Your goal is to find a match for each item. Good luck!

1.______ Shares your first initial 2.______ Serves as an officer in a non-IEEE association 3.______ Played a musical instrument in a band 4.______ Worked outside the US 5.______ Has worked for a company while it went public 6.______ Has more than two graduate degrees 7.______ Has been to the White House on official business 8.______ Has published a book 9.______ Has gotten a job using Internet 10.______ Has traveled to more than three continents 11.______ Has worked for one company more than 15 years 12.______ Speaks a foreign language fluently 13.______ Has worked on a political campaign 14.______ Has more than 4 children 15.______ Can fill in the blanks in this series:

10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 39, 43, 47, 51, 56, 62, ---, ---, ---, ---, 100


Networking TechniquesPrepare a 60-second biography or description Ask for information, don't ask for a job Don't pressure your network for more than it can easily supplyPass along information Don't use pressure tactics Always carry business cards Follow-up


Exercise #3Lets Start NetworkingDivide into groupsWithin each group:Assign a timekeeper, and a group spokesmanOn the back of your business cards, write a statement of what you would like to get from this meeting or groupExchange cardsTake turns presenting your brief bio's and what you want to get out of the meeting or groupOthers in the group offer suggestions or leads


ConclusionsNetworking can be a powerful toolYou have more opportunities to make contacts while you are workingIn the future, networking skills will be even more important


All these people cant be wrong


Further StudyBooksMasters of Networking, Ivan R. MisnerThe Networking Survival Guide, Diane DarlingWebwww.careerjournal.comwww.network.monster.comSearch for personal networking, career networking, business networkingOrganizationsBusiness Network International, www.bni.comThe IEEE, www.ieee.org


AcknowledgementsIEEE-USA Employment & Career Services CommitteeRegion 3 Membership and Industrial Relations CommitteeJean Eason & Bob Krause who put on numerous workshops that became the basis for this presentation.


This workshop is designed as a program for IEEE members. It is directed toward Section and Chapter level activities, but would be useful for any group of technical professionals. It's goal is to encourage individuals to strategically develop the networks necessary for successful career development and particularly important for consultants and job-seekers.

This is an audience participation workshop - As a matter of fact, the audience will do most of the work, supplying answers to questions and participating in three exercises designed to stimulate and hone networking skills.

The core of the workshop is right here, ready-to-go. It's easy to understand and doesn't require any special facilitator training. Beginning with a basic overview on the importance of networking, the workshop leads participants through the steps of defining, developing, expanding, using and maintaining a network. Three stimulating exercises help hone networking skills and reinforce the concepts explored in the presentation. The most difficult part of the workshop is getting participants to stop!Basic Workshop Requirements Presentation: Overview of the Importance of Networking and Tapping into Your Network Exercise 1: Taking the First Steps Presentation: Expanding Your Network Exercise 2: Networking Scavenger Hunt Presentation: Networking Techniques Exercise 3: Let's Network Workshop RequirementsThe workshop begins with a background presentation on the importance of networking and basic networking skills. Interspersed in the presentation are three exercises. The entire workshop should require about 2 hours.A facilitator is required to present the initial information on networking and lead the exercises. No specific training is required for the facilitator, but he/she should be familiar with the material and networking concepts. Also, since the workshop depends so much on audience participation, the facilitator will need to have the ability to encourage input and keep the workshop moving and on schedule.Facilities required: Meeting room with chairs for participants and sufficient room for moving about, Handouts for each participant (attached), Transparencies of the background information and the graph on effective job-search techniques (if desired), Something for facilitator to write on: white or black board, flip chart, blank transparencies, etc., Paper and pencils for participants who don't supply their own. Also useful (since participants can become 'very' involved in the exercises) is a horn, whistle or other means of attracting attention back to the facilitator.Prizes may be given to the 'winners' of the networking exercises.

Employment experts have been telling us for years that networking is the best way to find a new job. Outplacement specialists estimate that as many as three-quarters of all positions are filled through networking. It's how you tap into that illusive 'hidden job market.'Networking let's you take control of your job-search. Traditional job search tools - resumes, want ads, interviews, letters of reference - are designed to maximize the employer's range of choices. The job seeker is always at the long end of the odds, pitted against hundreds of others. By networking, you decide who to call on.You choose situations where the odds are more favorable for you, where people know you (or know of you), where you have allies, and where you're not just a face in the crowd. Favoritism doesn't drive the networking process. Determination does.

Networking is an on-going process. Of course, everyone already has a network and the first step is tapping into that network. The next step is expanding thenetwork and the last step is follow-up.

Who thnks networking is important?In June of 1995, IEEE-USA's Employment Assistance Committee took a survey of IEEE members who had indicated on their dues renewal forms that they wereunemployed (and were applying for the special reduced rate for unemployed members). This survey was sent out to approximately 3000 members and nearly 1000responded. Happily, many members had been re-employed.

Some of the most significant data collected was in response to the question: What job-search technique works best for you? This graph illustrates those responses. (NEXT SLIDE)

Compare the responses of the groups on the right with those on the left. One thing that jumps out at you is the bar representing networking. (Cover up the data on the right and only look at the four groups on the left.) The groups on the left find networking to be (by far) the most effective job search technique. No surprise -that conclusion follows with everything we have heard from the employment experts.

Now, look at the groups on the right. (Expose the whole graph) These members don't think nearly as highly of networking. What's the difference between the two sides of the graph? The groups on the left have been re-employed - those on the right have not.

Why are the unemployed members not finding networking to be an effective job search technique? Possibly because they don't know how to effectively network. So, let's look at a few networking tips.

Tapping into your network

Who makes up your existing network? (have the audience supply answers, and write on the slide) Of particular importance:

References - the people you would select as references are those most familiar with you and your work Present/former managers and colleagues - maybe some are now employed at other companies and would welcome the chance to work with you again Fellow IEEE members - will work in a variety of companies in the local area and will be sympathetic to your needs Old school friends and alumni association members - members of alumni associations are usually partial to other alumni. Also, companies in the local area of the alma mater are usually more receptive (i.e., if you graduated from Georgia Tech, concentrate on the Atlanta and/or SE area) Friends, family, neighbors, etc. - this group may not be able to lead you to many job opportunities, but these are the people with the greatest desire to help you. Tapping into your network
































References - the people you would select as references are those most familiar with you and your work Present/former managers and colleagues - maybe some are now employed at other companies and would welcome the chance to work with you again Fellow IEEE members - will work in a variety of companies in the local area and will be sympathetic to your needs Old school friends and alumni association members - members of alumni associations are usually partial to other alumni. Also, companies in the local area of the alma mater are usually more receptive (i.e., if you graduated from Georgia Tech, concentrate on the Atlanta and/or SE area) Friends, family, neighbors, etc. - this group may not be able to lead you to many job opportunities, but these are the people with the greatest desire to help you. EXERCISE #1

Pair off the participants. Give them 5 minutes to list everything the two of them have in common. The winning team is the one with the longest list.

What you should learn from this exercise: Briefly discuss with participants what they got from this exercise. They should be learning about developing a relationship with a stranger and the various kinds of things they can have in common.EXPANDING YOUR NETWORK

This is the essence of networking: talking to old contacts to get leads and following up on those leads; meeting new people and striking up a conversation; joining new organizations and becoming active . And this is where most people fail. What are some ways to extend your existing network? (have the audience supply answers)Suggested answers are on the next slide

Phone calls - everyone hates 'cold calls' but they are inevitable. Develop a script and "just do it!" Think of it as research, not telemarketing. Letters or newsletter - as an alternative to phone calls. You can always follow up with a call. Join a professional society or civic organization - and become active. Get out and meet people, interact, volunteer. Identify those organizations whose members are likely to be hiring managers of the companies you are interested in (don't neglect organizations like the Jaycees, Boys & Girls Clubs or museum boards - they're usually loaded with corporate/local 'movers & shakers.') Internet newsgroups - answer questions, join discussions Consultants and consultants' networks - consultants often know of companies' technical needs. Technical conferences, workshops- attend and mingle, or better yet, present a paper Someone at a company you'd like to work for - try and get an introduction through one of your existing contacts or call them yourself referencing an article about them or a paper they wrote. Recruiters, headhunters - maintain a good working relationship with recruiters when they call you asking for leads and they will be more likely to help you when you need a lead.

EXERCISE #2

Networking Scavenger Hunt: This is a 'free-for-all.' Give the participants 10-15 minutes to mingle and try to complete the scavenger hunt on the attached form. The winner is the person who fills in the most blanks. NOTE: a person can't sign for more than one item on a form. (By the way, the numeric series in the last item on the hunt are the values for 5% standard resistors.) For groups that might not contain a significant number of EE's, you might want to substitute: Has a golf handicap of 10 or less, or Has met a US President.)

What you should learn from this exercise: Ask participants what they learned about networking from this exercise. They should be learning that if you know what you are looking for, you can find it; and there are valuable contacts all around us. NETWORKING SCAVENGER HUNT

Instructions: Read the items listed, then find someone in the group who fits the bill for each Item. Ask him/her to sign the blank next to the item which applies. (Any one individual may sign for only one item on your list.) Your goal is to find a match for each item. Good luck!

15. Answer: 68, 75, 82, 91Networking techniques

Now you know who and where - let's look at how:Effective networking is not just calling up everyone you know and asking if they have a job foryou. And, it's more than just going out and distributing business cards to everyone you see.

Effective networking is strategic. It requires active participation. It is a give-and-take - the moreyou give, the more likely you are to receive value in return.

What are some of the do's and don'ts of networking?

Prepare a 60-second biography or description - a short speech that quickly describes you, your experience, etc. that you use when you contact someone new. Ask for information, don't ask for a job - you're looking for leads and introductions. Don't pressure your network for more than it can easily supply. Maybe ask "where would you look if you were in my situation?" Pass along information - when you hear of something useful, pass it along to others in your network. Whether a job lead or the solution to a technical problem - solve their problem and they are more likely to help you solve yours. This is key to maintaining your network when you aren't actively looking. Don't use pressure tactics Always carry business cards - but don't just pass them out to any and all. Take the time to write a short note on the back to remind the person when you met and what you discussed. Follow-up - call all leads or referrals. Follow up on all the business cards you collect. This is also a key in maintaining a network. EXERCISE #3

Divide the participants into groups of 4, 5, or 6 (however the total divides easiest). NOTE: this exercise could take a while. Encourage participants to keep progressing.

Within each group:

Each individual should take out business cards to pass to the others in the group (those that don't have cards should make some up from pieces of paper), On the back of each card they should write a statement of what they would like to get from this meeting or group, Everyone in the group exchanges cards, Taking turns, each individual presents a brief overview of themselves (their 60-second bio) and what they would like to get out of the meeting, Ask them to think of a "commercial" - what can I offer to someone. This keeps it from turning into "I went to school at Tech and graduated in 74; worked 22 years at ABC; met and married my wife who was also an engineer, etc." Instead we'll get, "I am considered an expert at x, y, and z; bring certifications in 3, 4, 5, 6; and have saved my firm 40K by bringing in the product re-design project on time and under budget." (Limit them to 5 minutes per person. Time each interval yourself or assign a timekeeper in each group. Keep the exercise moving.) Others in the group offer suggestions or leads, and Everyone goes home with a list of new contacts and needs.

What you should learn from this exercise: Briefly discuss with participants what they got from this exercise. Ask one representative from each group to stand up and present any significant accomplishments of that group.Conclusion

Networking can be a powerful tool, not only for job searching but for career growth. Don't wait until you're out of work to start building your network. You have more opportunities to make contacts while you are working.

In the future, as we change jobs more and more frequently, networking skills will be even more important. Measure your job security or your career growth potential by the strength of your network.

Look again at the information in the graph. All of these people can't wrong! (next slide)Compare the responses of the groups on the right with those on the left. One thing that jumps out at you is the bar representing networking. (Cover up the data on the right and only look at the four groups on the left.) The groups on the left find networking to be (by far) the most effective job search technique. No surprise -that conclusion follows with everything we have heard from the employment experts.

Now, look at the groups on the right. (Expose the whole graph) These members don't think nearly as highly of networking. What's the difference between the two sides of the graph? The groups on the left have been re-employed - those on the right have not.

Why are the unemployed members not finding networking to be an effective job search technique? Possibly because they don't know how to effectively network. So, let's look at a few networking tips.

networking 101 presentation

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