Title - Employment despair - Get out of the house and give your job search a boost by doing more networking
Some pointers that I've got are:
1. Contact five people with whom you have lost touch
2. Find and send eight to 10 articles of interest to your job prospects
3. Deliver a presentation at a local association meeting
4. Have lunch with one new centre of influence each week
5. Attend events sponsored by local organisations
6. Hold a 'board meeting' with your trusted advisers
7. Focus on getting new contacts - not just a job
On Contact five people with whom you have lost touch
- Checking in with colleagues you may have lost contact with over the past several months, or even years, can open up some wonderful new doors.
- Do not feel ashamed because you have not talked with them in a while. You will be surprised how excited they are to hear from you. Let them know what you are up to in your career. They might have some ideas for you.
On Find and send eight to 10 articles of interest to your job prospects
- Research articles on the Internet or print media that will help your job prospects' business prosper. Everyone wants to know how to do business better and get more clients. Help them out by being a library of business knowledge. Connect with them on a completely new level. Visualise yourself already working for the company.
On Deliver a presentation at a local association meeting
- Organisations and associations are at a time of year where they might be looking for presenters. Pick a topic you know and love to discuss and propose a presentation to an organisation that appeals to you. Doors may open to hiring managers in the audience or influential people who see you as an expert.
On Having lunch with one new centre of influence each week
- Take the time to invite a mover and shaker to lunch. Ask about his business and tell him how you are progressing. You just might get new ideas, contacts, and job opportunities.
On Attend events sponsored by local organisations
- Your local chamber of commerce and other organisations are throwing parties to gather people in a social and fun setting. Check them out and go. You will have fun and gain a chance to meet new people in a non-business setting.
On Hold a 'board meeting' with your trusted advisers
- Do you have a small group of people who don't have a problem giving you feedback? Take your 'advisory board' out for a coffee or lunch.
- Talk to them about your job search, your prospects and challenges. Ask each of them to come to the meeting with at least one good idea to help you through this tough time.
On Focus on getting new contacts - not just a job
- Stop worrying about trying to get a job from each and every person you encounter. Instead, take the approach that you want them to be in your network. Be an information provider to them. Keep them in the loop on new business ideas.
- When the time is right for them to help you, you will know. In the meantime, keep them informed.
Having enough activity every day keeps your mind free from the frustration of waiting for the phone to ring. At the same time, you are creating enough momentum in your job search, increasing the odds of getting a call back. Fill the time spent waiting for the phone to ring with doing the right things.
Yours,
Something Small Thinking Big
