Networking can feel fraught and difficult. Many people talk about feeling the need to be on the entire time, and like they ought to be polished and poised all the way through. But that’s a lot of pressure to put on yourself! Here are some tips for navigating those ebbs and flows of networking conversations.
If you’re looking for a job right now, you’ve probably noticed that things are happening at a glacial pace: not as many jobs being posted, interviews not happening, slow responses from employers. It’s not you! It’s the holidays, the end of the quarter, and, in some cases, the end of the fiscal year. …
(Okay, you will actually have to try, but these tips will make it feel a little easier.) We’ve been talking about being more strategic in your job search process, but how do you build connections with new people? And should you spend time doing that instead of applying for jobs? As I wrote a couple of…
When you’re working to meet new people and build new connections, sometimes you can have awkward conversation silences. How can you handle them?
As we’ve been discussing, this job market is difficult and unpredictable. This week is my third tip for succeeding in this strange landscape. Tip 3: Yes, you have to network But why and how? Let’s start with why it matters. As I’ve said, it’s not your imagination that the job market is…
I often work with people who tell me all about their efforts to connect with hiring managers and other key decision makers when they’re applying for a job. Unfortunately, this effort is largely a waste time and energy because a) hiring managers aren’t willing or able to pay attention to every person who reaches out…
Tomorrow will bring its annual round of little ghouls, witches and goblins to your door for treats, but don’t let that scare you away from updating that old LinkedIn profile! I like to link recurring but infrequent tasks to memorable occasions—so if you’re decorating for Halloween, think about redecorating your profile, too! Check in…
So now you understand what networking really is and how it works. What should you do when someone you’ve reached out to is happy to grant you an informational interview? Well, first, celebrate! It’s a great step forward, regardless of whether you ultimately choose that field or not. Second, think about what…
I frequently hear people complain that they’re trying to network but the hiring managers they reach out to never respond. Or that none of the people they’ve reached out to have any job openings. Or that they don’t know anyone in the field they want. Are you guilty of these? The main misconception…
Now that we’ve covered why it’s important to network, let’s dig in on how to do it. The most obvious starting point is networking events. These can be good if you enjoy socializing, but they can also be daunting. If you choose to do some of this sort of networking, prepare for the…