How to Network Mutually Beneficially

Networking is likely the route to your next job… It’s more personal than applying on a stark job board, and it may help you find out about opportunities that aren’t openly advertised.

So is networking a good thing? Definitely. But there are ways to do it properly (and effectively) and ways that are just a waste of your time.

Luckily, the experienced Jeff Haden gives us 5 great networking tips. Here are my 3 favorites:

1. Give before you take. Of course you want something; you want their help. But the trick is: “never ask for what you want.” By giving your expertise and your help, you can establish a real, solid, meaningful relationship. A relationship will make them want to help you, not just an annoying person asking for help.
2. Don’t assume they care about your needs. You’re out of work and you need a job – that’s your problem, not theirs. Haden says “the only way to make connections is to care about the needs of others first.” Show them you care about them, and then maybe they’ll care about you afterall.
3. Network where it’s mutually beneficial. Yeah, having the top executive connect with you would be great, but the way to actually make a helpful connection is to find someone who can benefit from your expertise – and vice versa. So that you can follow up on #1 and #2… make a relationship that goes both ways.

Asking for Career Advice

You don’t have to do this job search alone. There are people and resources that can help you, whether it’s proofreading a cover letter, giving resume advice, writing recommendations, etc.  The tricky part is: those helpful resources are really busy too.  So how can you ask for career advice – and receive it – while making it easy (and enjoyable) for them to do? MarketMyCareer.com believes the key is to “be very specific”.  Sweet, short, and to the point is more likely to get you a response than something that takes them a while to read and figure out a reply.

• Be specific with them about what type of position you’re looking for: company size, geographical location, industry, etc.  More specifics will actually help them come up with a contact faster than being open-minded to any position.
• Ask very specific questions.  You’re more likely to get a fast email or phone call response if the questions you ask are succinct.
• Give them a time frame to respond.  If you need an answer immediately, tell them that so they can prioritize it.  If it can wait, let them know.

10 Great Books for Career Changers

Give the Gift of Possibility:

Wondering what to buy the job hunter on your list, or the retiree looking for what’s next? (Or, do you want advice on what is next for you in your career change?)

Consider one of these best selling books:

How Parents can Help Their Kids Job Search

This blog is usually addressed to the jobseeker him/herself, but today we’re going to make a little change and address it to the parents of jobseekers.  Parents, you’re probably wondering how you can help your children find a job in this crazy economy.  Especially if your child is a recent graduate, they may find it incredibly difficult to land their first real job.  So how do you help your child find a job?  Lee Miller from New Jersey Business has some great suggestions for helping your children become more independent and more likely to land a job.  Here are a few:

• If you let your children move back in with you, hold them accountable to paying rent and doing household chores.
• Encourage them to volunteer a few days a week – it’s a great way to teach responsibility and work skills, but it’s also good for boosting their resume and meeting networking contacts.
• Providing structure for their job search – Telling them specific blocks of time where they should be job hunting, and a quiet space they can use to do the hunting.
• Stay back.  Helping your child is ok, but taking control of their job search is not actually helping at all.  Lee Miller cautions that over-involved parents will actually hinder the search.  This is your child’s job; let them make mistakes and learn from them.

How to Leave Your Job on Good Terms

This blog is designed to help you find a new job. But be careful that you don’t burn any bridges while leaving your old job. Networking is key to a successful job search (and career), so make absolute sure to keep all your relationships on positive terms. Not sure how to leave your current job on good terms? Follow Nicole Bodem’s 8 ways to leave a job. Here are three:

1. Tell your Boss in Person. No emails. No phone calls. See him/her in person, be polite, and give a sound reason for leaving.
2. Create a training manual. You know your job better than anyone, so write info on how to do your job… it will make training your replacement much easier!
3. Give Enough Notice. The standard length is 2 weeks, but you can give a longer period of notice, to show respect to your manager by tying up all loose ends and helping them train the new person.

3 Uncommon Ways to Find a Job in 2010

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average job search as of November 2009 took 28.5 weeks (over 7 months)! So how do you make your search end in less than 7 months? Kevin Donlin gives us 3 ways to find a job in 2010:

1. Be crystal clear on what you’re looking for. The more specific you are, the better your network can help you.
2. Help others instead of trying to help yourself. Networking doesn’t have to be dull. Helping others is a great way to make your networking interesting, fun and ultimately successful.
3. Call instead of emailing. Email is a fast way to communicate, but it’s not always the best. Try calling instead, or better yet… drive over there to see them in person

3 Unemployed Habits to Avoid

Colin Daymude – a CareerRealism expert – compares jobseeking to a diet, and claims that many jobseekers are binging on fast food when they should be adding healthy foods. But how does one avoid the bad habits and consume the good ones? Here are 3 jobseeking habits to avoid:

• Blabbering about yourself in the interview. Hiring managers want to see how you can help them. Think of the interview as being about other people, not about yourself.
• Using “quick fixes” like resume distribution services. They may seem to get you a job the fastest, but they will not help you stick out.
• Applying to every job on the major job boards. Yes, hiring managers will look at candidates that come from CareerBuilder, but the way to really make a lasting impression is to research the company and contact the hiring manager directly.