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5 Secrets to Effective Networking

Gwen Darling, Healthcare Informatics

1. Make your first and last impression count: Firm handshake, look ‘em in the eyes, smile! Your mission is to make your new acquaintance (and that’s really how you need to approach this – this is not a chore, an interview, or an audition - you are making new acquaintances) feel like you are truly interested in him/her, and only him/her at that instant of connection. Friends of mine who have met Bill Clinton tell me he is the master at this skill, as he has a knack for making you feel, for a moment, like the two of you are the only people in the room (this would certainly be a feat at an event like HIMSS!).

2. Do not talk about yourself until asked to do so: HUH? That’s right. Even though your mission is to connect with and make an impression upon those who can assist you in your personal quest for meaningful use, do not launch into your elevator speech, your employment status, or your long list of accomplishments the minute the handshake is disengaged. Instead, glance at his/her name tag, make a mental note of the first name and name of company, and then smile and say something along the lines of, “So Jonathan, what exactly do you do at athenahealth?” And then listen. Intently. And then? Ask a follow up question about something they just said, which shows that you are interested, and listening. At the conclusion of their answer, acknowledge it – “Wow, that’s impressive!” “Ha! Bet that keeps you hopping!” “No kidding – that’s really fascinating!” Whatever works. At that point, if your new acquaintance possesses any social skills at all, s/he will then ask you, “So what do you do?” And then it’s your turn.

3. Make sure every public word or action is a positive one. There is nothing worse than attending a function and being forced to listen to someone complain about … anything. Don’t do it. You don’t have to be chirpy happy, but these events are not the place to gripe about the overpriced food, the lost luggage, or the ridiculously long lines at the bathroom. The last thing a potential employer wants is a whiner. And if you whine it will be the last thing they remember about you. So keep any negative thoughts or actions to yourself, and if you need to, unload on your poor spouse during your nightly phone call, once you get back to your room.

4. Observe the five-minute rule. Even though the person you are speaking with may be endlessly fascinating, your goal at a business conference networking event like HIMSS is to have meaningful conversations with as many potential employers as possible. Therefore, try to limit your time with each interaction to around five minutes. I’m not suggesting a stopwatch approach, or even an attempted-stealth-but-they-caught-you-anyway glance at your watch approach. What I am suggesting is that you try not to allow someone the chance to monopolize your time, and vice-versa. Asking for a business card is the perfect segue for your exit. “I’d really love to continue this conversation in the future, learn more about your company, get the number of that recruiter you mentioned,” etc. May I have your card?” And then of course, whip yours out.
Note: Even if you are currently unemployed, you still should have a business card with your name, contact information (including LinkedIn profile address), and title. If your heart is sinking because you think it’s too late for the upcoming HIMSS Conference, don’t despair – go directly to Vista Print and order a simple card online. Opt for the thicker matte card stock (not the glossy which are impossible to write on) and skip the graphics, hokey templates, etc. With rush delivery you can still get them in time.

5. Watch the alcohol intake. There’s nothing better after a very long day of meetings, educational sessions, and exhibit hall interaction than to hit several afterhours’ functions and take advantage of the colleague camaraderie, free food, and open bars – right? Absolutely! However, when you’re tired, probably food-deprived, and planning to party-hop, it is all too easy to suddenly realize that you’ve overindulged. And even though your business networking events are not a chore, an interview, or an audition, they are still business events, with potentially harmful career ramifications should you decide to take this opportunity to demonstrate your break dancing/karaoke/watch-me-jump-in-the-hotel-pool-with-my-clothes-on skills. Remember, a networking event is a string of first impressions – you want to be memorable, but in a good way.

So there you have it – now you know my secrets. Effective networking takes practice, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes fun, and very productive.

Read the full article here.

4 Habits of Highly Successful Job Seekers

Shala Marks, Recruiter.com

Meet Jane.

Jane graduated college six months ago. She worked three internships while in school, graduated with honors, and has sent her resume to hundreds of companies. But, Jane is unemployed.

Meet Bob.

Bob also graduated college six months ago, no honors. Bob didn’t work at any internships while in school and has never applied for a job, yet Bob is employed. One day while he was playing basketball in a local gym, the president of one of America’s largest auto manufacturers sees Bob. The president has a company team and wants Bob to play on it so he can win a championship. He hires Bob immediately (true story).

Every last one of us knows someone who always seems to have the most incredible luck when it comes to locating and making the best of opportunities that come along. We’ve all also spent quite a bit of time wondering what his or her secret is and wishing we could bottle it to use to our own advantage. This is especially the case when it comes to landing a job in today’s economy.

While Bob is an uncommon scenario, there are plenty of people whose paths seem to be effortless when it comes to getting the best opportunities. And although you may wonder what the person’s secret is, the truth is that there’s really no secret to be bottled. The person is simply someone who naturally develops good habits in regards to job seeking. You can do the same by making sure you incorporate the following four habits into your own strategy:

1. Be Proactive

Successful job seekers aren’t successful because more opportunities fall into their lap. They’re successful because they make it a point to get out there and find chances to make things happen. They’re also ever-prepared for the next good thing to come along. For instance, their online professional profiles, personal websites, and resumes are kept perpetually updated. Their wallets are always full of business cards just in case they run into someone to give them to while out and about (you get the idea).

2. Be Outgoing

Successful job seekers never turn down an opportunity to network or rub elbows with other people in their field. Instead of sitting at home in front of the television, they’re accepting those invites to corporate get-togethers and attending local events where great contacts are likely to be found. They’re also outgoing once they get there, making it a point to introduce themselves to people and engage potential business contacts.

3. Be a Team Player

Whether you’re working in a highly social environment or working remotely with clients and customers who live overseas, it’s important not to underestimate the value of people skills and the ability to connect when it comes to those you work with. No one wants to hire someone who doesn’t work well with others or who’s going to have too much trouble being engaging and pleasant when they have to. Successful job seekers take advantage of opportunities to get to know new people or to contribute something to the team.

4. Step Out of your Comfort Zones

On some level, just about every one of us would prefer to play it safe and be comfortable than take risks and step out a little. However, those who are successful at what they do take the bull by the horns instead and find ways to welcome new experiences as new adventures. They welcome chances to try new things, meet new people, work on different projects, and pick up new skills. They realize that every time they do, they grow as people and have even more to offer than they did the day, week, or month before. The more varied and experienced you can become in regards to different things related to your field, the more attractive you’re ultimately going to be as a job candidate.

Original article found here.

9 Must-Haves to Get Hired: Do You Have What it Takes?

by Linda Descano

Recently, Citi and LinkedIn polled members of Connect: Professional Women’s Network, a LinkedIn group powered by Citi, about their career resolutions for 2013. Finding a new job topped the list for 40% of Connect members.

To help turn these resolutions into realities, my team at Citi has been reaching out to career experts and business leaders for their insight, ideas and tips, which we are publishing in the Special Edition for Connect group members. My first assignment was to explore what is on a manager's must-have list of attributes for a job candidate, which I thought would be of general interest to LinkedIn members; hence, today's post.

How I tackle these assignments is by conducting an admittedly unscientific focus group of anywhere between five to eight randomly selected executives in my network. For this question, I turned to Betsy Berkhemer Credaire of Berkhemer Clayton, Holly Lignelli of LinkedIn, Jennifer Grancio of BlackRock, Mindy Mercaldo of Citibank, and Wendi Sturgis of Yext, who consistently inspire me with their insight and perspective on all things career-related.

While each articulated her top attributes with different words, common threads emerged which I distilled into the following 9 must-have attributes, namely (not in any particular order):

1. Intensity, drive and ambition
2. Integrity and sound judgment
3. Cultural fit with the organization
4. Positive outlook, enthusiastic can-do attitude and great sense of humor
5. Management and leadership competency
6. Self-awareness, reflection and resilience
7. Effective communicator, both verbally and in writing
8. Track record with results that are sustainable and explainable
9. Demonstrated ability to solve hard problems and overcome adversity

How do these compare with what's on your must-have list? And, if you were to rank this list, what would be your top 3?