Networking Mixers - Here's How Do It Right

I have attended several different kinds of networking mixers lately from PinkSlipMixers.com events to LinkedIn events to alumni events. I've made a lot of good connections and I've had a chance to observe lots of different kinds of people and it occurred to me that networking at a mixer is a lot like the bar scene for dating. A lot of the same rules apply. So here are my tips for successful networking at mixers.

Dress appropriately. Not all of these events will be attended by recruiters or hiring managers, but some of them might and you should always make a good impression. Business Casual should be the minimum. No Jeans, No Crocs, No Flip Flops, No logo T-shirts. You don't want to look like you were just gardening or washing the car and then turned up at the mixer.

Arrive early. This is especially important if you are somewhat introverted. It will be an instant icebreaker that you were one of the first to arrive. You can greet the host and warm up your small talk before the room is packed and more intimidating.

Have good body language. Even if chairs are provided, it's better to remain standing. You will seem more approachable. If you are holding a drink, set it down once in a while and talk with your hands. You will appear interesting. If you are standing alone, don't cross your arms in front of your body or put your hands on your hips. Keep your head up and look around the room and try to make eye contact with someone that you would like to come over to you. Raising your eyebrows or tilting your head signals that you are approachable. The hardest thing to do is to walk up to a group of people already engaged in conversation. So look for a smaller group of two or three people, hover nearby and at a lull in their conversation, introduce yourself.

Be a giver, not a taker. Networking is not just about what's in it for you. It's about sharing your contacts and job leads with others. So be a giver. Listen to what the people you meet are saying and think about how you can help them. Give them a reason to want to help you. This also goes for your contacts who are employed. Don't just ask them for help when you are unemployed. Keep in touch throughout the year, even if it's just for coffee or a quick email. They'll be much more likely to help you if you aren't a drain.

Learn to take suggestions. People will offer you all kinds of advice if they are in the "giving" mood. Some of it will be good, some of it won't, but learn how to take all of their suggestions gracefully. Even if some of what they suggest isn't really for you, it might spark a thought that hadn't occurred to you before. It also may be good advice that you can pass on to someone else.

Make sure you circle the room at least twice. This will give you the opportunity to see if anyone new has come in or if someone who was busy in a large group is now available to chat. You can also walk up to groups that include people you met earlier and meet the new people they are chatting with.

After the event, make sure to keep in touch with the people that you met that are quality contacts. Add them to your LinkedIn network and follow them on Twitter.

As you grow your network, you will make new friends, find mentors and support, and maybe, just maybe, find that dream job you've been looking for.

Bon chance!

One is All You Need

A friend of mine was laid off in February when her company went through a major downsizing/restructuring. Her department was decimated but several of her co-workers were picked up by a competitor company within a few weeks. After about a month or so, another position came open at that company. My friend interviewed for it but was disappointed to learn that, between the time she applied and the time she interviewed, the position had been moved to another plant quite distant from where she is living. She told them that she hadn't planned on relocating. They later told her that they went with another candidate.

In most instances, that would have been the end of the story. It would serve as a cautionary tale to be open to relocation or another position when you go in to interview. But that's not what happened here.

Instead, many weeks later, the recruiter called and offered my friend a contract position at the plant close to her home. She offered a very competitive salary and the possibility that the position could be contract-to-hire if they could find a way to keep it at that location. My friend took the job! Of course, she did. Who wouldn't?

Instead of being a cautionary tale, instead I think this story serves to illustrate something entirely different: One job offer is really all you need - if it's the right one.

I'm inspired.

Can you really find a job using Social Media?

Today a friend & I met to network/support each other in the job hunt.

We reviewed each other's resumes and shared some job hunting stories.

One question arose from that: Has anyone out there actually found a job using social media? Both of us have heard conflicting things about the use of blogs or Twitter or LinkedIn to find a job as opposed to traditional forms of job hunting or networking.

So I pose this question: How did you get your last job? Were you recruited from the job before that? Was it a personal "live" connection? Or did you find your job in the virtual world of social media?

We want to hear your stories! Please comment on this blog or DM me on Twitter.

A Writing Sample? Certainly!

I applied for a job today and in the advertisement, I was instructed to send a writing sample of about half a page on any subject.

I thought for a moment and then realized that I have a writing sample. It's right here. It's my blog. So instead of writing something new, I included the URL for this blog in my cover email and invited them to read it.

I began blogging a couple of years ago when two writer friends suggested it as a way to keep my creative juices going after moving away from the more creative side of the entertainment industry into finance. I started this blog just to focus on my job search stories. I do have to say that they were absolutely right about blogging. I love having a place to write about whatever I want. I do feel that it gives me the chance to be creative whenever I choose.

Blogging has also helped me feel more comfortable about using social media like Facebook and Twitter. Twitter is nothing if not microblogging. The challenge with Twitter is being able to say something in 140 characters. Sometimes, I have to run over into a second tweet, but I am improving.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my friends (they know who they are) for encouraging me to begin blogging. Without them, I wouldn't have had so much writing to sample!