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Back on the newspaper/website grind. I've got to escape this verizon booth. I NEED more $$$ and better hours. Grateful to be eating tho.
Jobless and Frustrated NTers check in VOL. WE NOT-WORKIN!!!
- Thread in 'General' Thread starter Started by td the god,
- Start date
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- May 2, 2012
Networking can be a very fun, very enjoyable, and very fulfilling part of your professional career if you do it right. Though not everyone is a natural at it, you may not realize (especially if you identify as an introvert) that nobody is a natural networker. Social butterflies might seem like they were born to do it, but there's a big difference between being social and networking.
It's easy to miss that difference. Networking often takes place in traditionally social places like bars, and regularly includes alcohol, among endless groups huddled together seemingly gossiping over nothing of importance. Many networking sessions and events aren't really about networking. If you want to make the most of your time, hone in on what makes power networkers successful and leave the gossip for your happy hours.
1. Respect the right kind of small talk
Humans use small talk as a way to connect, and in American culture it's the expected social norm when you first meet someone. Depending on your industry and the event, good small talk can include talking about which silent auction items caught your eye, what most impressed you about the keynote speaker, or which breakout sessions pique your interest. Avoid any type of gossip, talking even remotely badly about other people, and the big three red zones: sex, politics, and religion.
2. Smile
It's so obvious, but many people clam up or even practice their resting ***** face when they're nervous. Smiling takes practice, and you can do it whenever you're in public. Eye contact for a moment and a big smile can move mountains.
3. Have options for connecting
A good networker has a traditional business card that's high quality as well as an app (or apps) for exchanging information electronically. Make sure your social-media links and website are included in all your communications.
4. Listen
Listening requires being active, providing the right verbal and nonverbal cues that you're interested and engaged, and it also requires follow-up questions. Show a genuine interest in another person and you'll win them over easily. People loves talking about themselves.
5. Ask more than tell
Some people are quicker to open up than others, but if you can master the art of asking questions without it sounding like an interrogation, you're on the right path. Again, play to a person's natural narcissistic tendencies. (Remember: Everyone has them.)
6. Say yes whenever possible
This means yes to new networking invitations, yes to having coffee with a potential colleague, and yes to hearing more about an influential person's latest passion. It's our society's default response to say no--but anything can happen when you say yes. Try saying yes at your next networking event and see what develops.
7. Dress the part
Always take pride in your appearance and depend on high-quality clothes and accessories. However, you also need to dress for the industry and event. You want to just barely stand out in the right way, not look out of place. Think quality instead of stealing the show and you'll be fine.
http://www.inc.com/drew-hendricks/7-tips-to-being-a-power-networker.html?cid=sf01001
It's easy to miss that difference. Networking often takes place in traditionally social places like bars, and regularly includes alcohol, among endless groups huddled together seemingly gossiping over nothing of importance. Many networking sessions and events aren't really about networking. If you want to make the most of your time, hone in on what makes power networkers successful and leave the gossip for your happy hours.
1. Respect the right kind of small talk
Humans use small talk as a way to connect, and in American culture it's the expected social norm when you first meet someone. Depending on your industry and the event, good small talk can include talking about which silent auction items caught your eye, what most impressed you about the keynote speaker, or which breakout sessions pique your interest. Avoid any type of gossip, talking even remotely badly about other people, and the big three red zones: sex, politics, and religion.
2. Smile
It's so obvious, but many people clam up or even practice their resting ***** face when they're nervous. Smiling takes practice, and you can do it whenever you're in public. Eye contact for a moment and a big smile can move mountains.
3. Have options for connecting
A good networker has a traditional business card that's high quality as well as an app (or apps) for exchanging information electronically. Make sure your social-media links and website are included in all your communications.
4. Listen
Listening requires being active, providing the right verbal and nonverbal cues that you're interested and engaged, and it also requires follow-up questions. Show a genuine interest in another person and you'll win them over easily. People loves talking about themselves.
5. Ask more than tell
Some people are quicker to open up than others, but if you can master the art of asking questions without it sounding like an interrogation, you're on the right path. Again, play to a person's natural narcissistic tendencies. (Remember: Everyone has them.)
6. Say yes whenever possible
This means yes to new networking invitations, yes to having coffee with a potential colleague, and yes to hearing more about an influential person's latest passion. It's our society's default response to say no--but anything can happen when you say yes. Try saying yes at your next networking event and see what develops.
7. Dress the part
Always take pride in your appearance and depend on high-quality clothes and accessories. However, you also need to dress for the industry and event. You want to just barely stand out in the right way, not look out of place. Think quality instead of stealing the show and you'll be fine.
http://www.inc.com/drew-hendricks/7-tips-to-being-a-power-networker.html?cid=sf01001
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Agreed that networking can be very enjoyable and rewarding but like any other social activity it depends on the other participants as well. I've been to corporate events and had an absolute blast because everyone clicked and attended with an open mind and willingness to learn. Been to others where most folks were not and either **** themselves in or cemented themselves to a clique.
Admittedly I wasn't very good at it at first because I was too conscious of each interaction, but once I became more established professionally and grew confidence in the office, it became very natural. Must attribute to where I am today as a direct result of networking (all things relative, only little over 3 yrs into my career) and I'm sure that this will continue
Admittedly I wasn't very good at it at first because I was too conscious of each interaction, but once I became more established professionally and grew confidence in the office, it became very natural. Must attribute to where I am today as a direct result of networking (all things relative, only little over 3 yrs into my career) and I'm sure that this will continue
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informal and one-on-one networking situations were the most helpful, that way you aren't competing for the attention of everyone else in the room...the market im in (DC), people LOVE talking about what they do and happy hours are key to meeting some interesting folks...
i grabbed two business cards this weekend of friends of friends...one is a communications specialist for a NGO, another was a government worker in USAID...
i grabbed two business cards this weekend of friends of friends...one is a communications specialist for a NGO, another was a government worker in USAID...
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- Jul 18, 2012
Took a job making less than desirable money... still applied at places like I should. Get a call out the blue from unemployment office asking if I were interested in a job making way better money. Interview in the a.m.
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Good luck son!
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Got a contingent offer for the job. Thank God. Jobless bros, keep at the grind... you may have to take a less than desirable position at times, but just keep going forward
antidope
Supporter
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Congrats Fam!
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Thanks bro. The positivity in here definitely helped propel me here today.
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Good stuff! Thinking about applying for more gigs that pay less just to avoid these terrible hours. I always though DC had the power jobs, but I'm finding lots of crazy requirements or just a dry period in hiring.
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Retto
formerly toretto
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Congrats my man.
Took your advice from a couple months ago && it's paying dividends now..glad things are working out for you too.
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I'm about to start applying for jobs in DC. What fields are you looking into?
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For my Orlando people, anybody work in/know someone in the property management industry?
I have a lot of experience at large apartment complexes and I'm moving to Orlando next month.
Would be really nice to be there with a job but my out of state location is proving to be a hurdle.
I would be grateful for any help/tips at all.
I have a lot of experience at large apartment complexes and I'm moving to Orlando next month.
Would be really nice to be there with a job but my out of state location is proving to be a hurdle.
I would be grateful for any help/tips at all.
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Congrats my man.
What advice did I give?
Retto
formerly toretto
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Congrats my man.
What advice did I give?
Might be getting screen names mixed up
but if I remember correctly, you offered an alternate perspective to my frame of mind as far as jobs were concerned back around June...basically saying that you may have to take a not-so-desirable job at first, but to build on it && work your way into a better situation from there.
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I am currently employed, but have been looking for new employment for quite sometime now. Jobs are out there, but sometimes it feels like no one ever looks at the applications.
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I know what you mean.
I think to myself "did these cats even look at my resume?"
A young black man just wants to keep a roof over his head..
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Evironmental Health & Safety, Safety, Environmental Professional.
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antidope
Supporter
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This. Plus I'm trying to move to a different state which is always annoying. For a while I was putting my grandmas address on my resume cause she lives in the state that I'm trying to move to, but that would lead to me having to pay my own way to interviews being that they believe that I'm already in said state which is expensive. But that got expensive so I changed it back to my current address and the responses have gone down substantially
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Cool cool, I am looking for SAP, Supply Chain, and Food Science
I think I may run into this problem but I can also catch a flight if need be for the low. So my might have to talk to my boy about using his address and go from there.
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Might be getting screen names mixed up
Yeah that was me... I impart so much wisdom I forget sometimes lol
Retto
formerly toretto
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All good, man.
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whats up all, havnt been in here in a while, still employed but i gotta get out of there, my bosses are morons, setting us employees up for failure every day, so im gonna start looking again, need some help on sites, all i remember are craigslist and indeed, is there any other sites that i need to be looking at? as always, stay up, something will come eventually
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I would suggest aiming for companies that you want to work at and maybe even look at their competitors and going on their careers page. Also, go back to talking your network, circle of friends / family, social club, to see if they have any opening at their companies. If they don't, they at least know you're looking, and if one of their friends or co-workers is asking them if they know someone that needs a job, you'll pop up. Linkedin is another option.
