Networking and Research How-Tos: Filling the Gap between Career Vis...
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The New Leadership Is A Sacred Calling
PERMISSION TO REPUBLISH: This article may be republished in newsletters and on web sites provided attribution is provided to the author, and it appears with the included copyright, resource box and live web site link. Email notice of intent to publish is appreciated but not required: mail to: brent@actionleadership.
How Not To Find A Job
Job searching can be tough enough all by itself. There is no need to make it even harder by doing or saying the wrong thing when job searching or interviewing. Here's a list of what you shouldn't do. These tips might sound simple, but, you might be surprised at how many people make a mistake without thinking much about it.
How to Write and Publish a Book
To publish a book is to become immortal. Why? Because your name and most importantly, your ideas will live on even when you are no longer physically here on earth. For as long as there are people who read (for information and for pleasure), accept, or even oppose (for the sake of argumentation and critical analysis) your ideas, your person is alive through that book.
Legitimate Part Time Jobs...
Why do we fall for these things time after time and why are some people getting rich from these schemes at the expense of broken dreams and life changing decisions for the worse? In the next several paragraphs I want to warn you about these so called "part time jobs" lies. First, before I lose people, there is such thing as a legitimate part time jobs but compared to the vast majority of these so call "opportunities" they are very few and rather far between.
The Benefits of Acupuncture School
One of the oldest forms of oriental medicine is acupuncture, a technique of inserting needles into some parts in the body. Those specific locations where the needles are inserted are called as "acupoints" or "tsubo." Inserting a needle into each of these locations in the body is believed and is proven by many--both of early years and the present--to be an effective means of restoring well-being.
Is Stalin Stuck in your Head?
Are you a duo citizen, residing in the Stalinist Soviet Union during the day, the United States evenings and weekends? Your days are filled with intrigues and the threat of intrigues. Paranoia and purges are the order of the day. You hope your name isn't on the List. Others disappear, increasing your fear, but at least it wasn't you this time.
Looking for the Next Job - Hopefully your Dream Job.
In any discussion about Careers, Job Search or Employment, one always hears this term mentioned - "My current job is not my Dream Job". What is a DREAM JOB? Let us attempt to understand some parameters linked to a Dream Job. Some statements will throw a lot of light on understanding the components that make up a Dream Job.
You’ve completed your vision-making and now have your next career firmly in mind, at least as an abstract vision. You’re excited and ready to see what’s out there in your new field " who’s doing the work you want to be doing, which companies get high marks, what your options are. You’re not in job search mode yet; you need to know more before you narrow your focus. How do you do it?
Most career-search guides will tell you to research, research, research, and network, network, network. But questions often remain about how, where and with whom. This article will walk alongside a career searcher we’ll call Lorraine as she learns about a new industry, identifies key issues and people, and begins building a networking base.
A common question when undertaking a career change is where to begin. I recommend beginning at the beginning - with yourself. Start by creating a brief career mission statement that includes the interests and experience that qualify you for your new field; personal strengths you want to use or develop; skills you want to use or develop; and values driving this search.
Here’s Lorraine’s mission statement: “To find a management level position in a company that produces creative products and values the creativity of its employees.” With this baseline to focus your search and return to when you lose focus, you’re ready to begin researching and networking.
Lorraine’s twenty-year career in financial services had worn her down. She longed to leave to pursue some entrepreneurial ideas but couldn’t afford a large financial risk. With help clarifying her goals, she decided to make a lateral move into a new industry that could provide a stepping stone to independence. With no prior knowledge of the new industry " toy design - and no contacts within it, the challenge was to research the industry and targeted companies to locate a potential niche for her wide range of skills and experience and learn enough to effectively position herself to maximize her marketability.
Before beginning her research, Lorraine made a list of questions she needed to answer.
About the new industry What are its growth projections? What are outstanding issues or challenges confronting it? What part(s) of the industry attracts you? What are its downsides?
About working in the industry What’s the culture? What do your skills and experience qualify you for? Growth opportunities?
Research Strategies: 1. Lorraine began by googling “careers in toy industry”. This gave her an overview, including how the industry is structured, what various industry issues are, education and training options.
2. Next she identified what she needed more information on. Since making creative products was a priority, she tried different search terms to narrow in on creativity.
3. She began exploring websites of companies that interested her.
4. She researched toy design associations and conventions. Important: Make a list of names of key people as you encounter them. Even though you probably don’t know how to gain access at this point, your list is a place to start.
5. To get an insider’s perspective, she went to vault.com and wetfleet.com. and asked two questions: “What kind of person does well in this industry?” And, “What’s its downside?”
Advice Lorraine would have about researching? Don’t assume there’s a right way to do it. Let curiosity and perseverance be your guides and approach it as a detective game, looking for clues, following leads.
And now for networking.
There was a local company that looked like Lorraine’s dream employer. She had researched the company as far as she could and had the name of the HR director. She had to clarify whether to request a job inquiry meeting, before knowing enough about the company to know how to present her strengths, or to request “advice and knowledge of the industry to further her career transition”. She chose the latter approach. The interview proved disappointing " HR may not have the desired perspective for this type of exploration " but Lorraine now had a template for requesting and conducting similar conversations, and she knew she had to widen her scope.
Networking strategies:
1. Take care not to confuse a request for career search advice with a job inquiry unless the person you’re talking to crosses that line.
2. Do your homework on the company first. It makes a good impression.
3. Go prepared with several brief questions that can be addressed in 15 minutes. Let the other person extend the time if desired.
4. Try to come away with information (“bread crumbs”) -- names, places to look " that will move you forward.
5. Ask permission to use his/her name in making future contacts.
Lorraine’s next step was to begin developing a list of toy industry names to contact. When she had their contact information, she wrote an approach email, introducing herself (using a mutual acquaintance’s name where possible) and requesting guidance on one or two brief questions. Her advice: “Expect a 10-20% return rate and send as many as possible!”
When she read an article in a trade publication or came across a quote, Lorraine contacted the author, expressed appreciation, and asked for guidance. With each contact, virtual or in person, she tried to come away with “bread crumbs”, names to contact (“Can you suggest someone who...?”), places to look for information, companies to investigate (with contact person’s name).
She combined a trip to family with NYC’s International Toy Fair and while there had several informal conversations with company representatives " “the most productive networking I did!” She now had more names and more information with which to narrow her search for specific companies. She was well on her way.
One last piece of advice Lorraine passes along to other career changers: “Be rigorous about designing and maintaining a support structure for yourself! Career change is more challenging than it seems. Keep a list of what you’ve accomplished, and schedule social get-togethers with friends 2-3 times/week.”
About the Author
Nina Ham, certified career coach and licensed psychotherapist, is Principal of Success from the Inside Out. Her company assists midlife professional women to define and create personally meaningful work and craft strategic career development plans. Nina is also Designer and Master Facilitator of Success and Me: A Game of Self Discovery, a facilitated game designed to guide people to their uniquely personal visions of success. Learn more abo
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