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Posted by Heather Resnick at 9/14/2007 10:47 AM and is filed under uncategorized
WHAT IS NETWORKING?
• Bridge to get to the other side
• Secures relationships
• Provides and gives valuable information
• Opens doors to employment, new possibilities
• Acts as a safety net
• Benefits all
• Is ongoing
WHY WE NETWORK
• Tap into the hidden job market
• Builds relationships that are mutually beneficial
• Provides continuing and updated knowledge
• Opens new doors
• Social outlet
FEAR OF NETWORKING!!!!!
• We will be judged
o Spoken language will be inadequate
o Not educated enough
o Not dressed appropriately
o Not enough experience with Canadian networking culture
o May be worried about racism or lack of tolerance for other backgrounds
• That we will be a failure
*** These things are more often than not within our own heads and not what the other person is thinking at all
PREPARATION PRE-NETWORKING
• Practice your 30 second infomercial (what your needs or aspirations are) until it is memorized - read it in the mirror and to family and friends
• This should be realistic with the hard/soft skills that you actually have. Ex. Don't say that you are seeking a job in information technology if you do not have computer experience. But if you do have experience in that field and that is where you wish to obtain employment you might say something like "I am an information technology specialist. The field has fascinated me since I first connected to the web ten years ago. I wanted to solve technological problems. My expertise lies in web site troubleshooting. I am exploring employment opportunities in mid-size companies in Toronto that are looking for someone who is energetic, creative, team-player and has the ability to learn quickly. [***These are things that are most important to employers presently. Hard work and education are not enough.] If you know of any companies that are looking for such a person or will you connect me to someone that does, I would be most appreciative."
• Be knowlegable about:
o Personality types (see resources for website) to understand other people
o Emotional intelligences – "Monitoring, managing and understanding" your "emotions". (Grace Tallar, Get Hired on Demand, 2004)
o General knowledge of world events – cultural, political, sports etc. (Read magazines, newspapers, listen to other media, talk to people…)
o Other fields
o Physical and emotional symptoms of fear so that you will be aware when it is happening and you can deep-breath, do yoga of visualization
• Decide in advance which networking events to attend by going on their website, talking to other people
• Choose networking events carefully. They can be costly, may not help you in the field that you are interested and you may not feel comfortable with all groups
• Invite a friend or colleague to come with you for comfort – know each others blurbs – be prepared to separate during the event
• Prepare three questions in advance that you can ask someone, if you think conversation will be stifled
• Have business cards made up. They can be inexpensive as long as they look professional
• Wear something with two pockets – one for your cards and one to receive others cards. (you might want to make a small investment in a card holder that you can wear around your neck to hand out and a small card holder that you can put others cards into)
• Bring pens and small note pad to write any additional information about somebody if you can't fit it on their business card
• Have a positive attitude
PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE
To avoid the fear and become anything "great" you have to practice.

1. Talk to friends or family about a passion
2. Talk to someone in a store about a product they bought and whether they liked it because you where considering buying it. Thank them afterwards.
3. Join a social networking group as mentioned below
4. Talk to someone in a field of your interest using your knowledge of the subject
5. Learn a non-offensive joke or humourous story that you can tell someone
6. Have a friend or family member video you talking to someone to observe your speech patterns and body movements
7. Practice the language (courses, audio tapes, watching television – if you struggle with English the children's program Sesame Street is excellent, listening to radio) if it is not your first language
8. Practice good listening as others talk
9. Use a dictionary to look up unfamiliar words
10. Attend as many group outings and events as possible so that you are put into a position to have to speak
11. Joke about your own fear with others – you will learn that the other person may have the same fear – at the very least you will have broken your own tension
12. Connect up with a mentor (or coach) – it could be someone who works in the field you are interested in who can give you constructive feedback on your networking skills and other employment information
13. Join Toastmasters – an organization that helps you speak in public with confidence (see resources
14. Believe in yourself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

***Remember – Fear is normal and we all experience it in similar ways (see resources for symptoms of fear website)– the trick is to not let it stand in the way of your success. If it is affecting the quality of your daily life, seek professional help. Check resources below.
NETWORKING RESOURCES
Disclaimer – The following websites are for information only. Heather Resnick is not responsible for any material written or implied, any fees required or any personal information given by the viewer on those websites. Nor is she responsible if the website has changed or no longer exists. It is up to the individual searching the website to determine the validity of the information and how they wish to use the website.

• Symptoms of Fear apps.sdhc.k12.fl.us/public/mainindex/crisis/symptoms.htm
• Exercise that will help you with your fears. Tools for Personal Growth Overcoming Fears: Coping.org is a Public Service of James J. Messina, Ph.D. & Constance M. Messina, Ph.D., Email: jjmess@tampabay.rr.com ©1999-2005 James J. Messina, Ph.D. & Constance Messina, Ph.D www.coping.org/growth/fears.htm
• Personality type portraits www.personalitypage.com/portraits.html
• True Colours - Personality Traits www.mytruecolors.com/truecolormeaning.asp
• The Riley Guide Directory - Networking and Support Groups www.rileyguide.com/support.html
• Canadian Women's Business Network www.cdnbizwomen.com
• Connecting Women www.ivillage.com/work/
• CanadaOne Magazine: The free online magazine for small businesses in Canada, with hundreds of articles, business profiles and reviews - Starting a business networking group
http://www.canadaone.com/ezine/expert/expert_qa.html?id=20
• Mentors Peer Resources www.mentors.ca/mentorprograms.html
• Toastmasters Association. I www.toastmasters.org/ e-mail toastmasters@xmr3.com
1-905-337-9578 fax 1-905-337-9320

Books:
• Bolles, Richard "What Color Is Your Parachute A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers" (Ten Speed Press Berkley, California, 2004 edition) www.JobHuntersBible.com
• Darling, Diane The Networking Survival Guide (McGraw –Hill, New York, New York, 2003)
• Johnson, Spencer M.D "Who Moved My Cheese?" G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York, 2002 www.whomovedmycheese.com
• Messer, Donna "Effective Networking Strategies" (Connectus Communications Canada, Oakville, Ontario 1998) www.connectuscanada.com e-mail info@connectuscanada.com
www.makeyourwordscount.com e-mail info@makeyourwordscount.com 1-905-567-8454
• Tallar, Grace "Get Hired on Demand An Advanced Carer Guide For Internationally Trained Professionals", Creative Management Training, Toronto, 2005
• Zorn, Renate "Good Conversation is for Everyone 10 Steps to Better Conversations", (Make Your Own Words Count, Mississauga, Ontario 2003 www.makeyourwordscount.com e-mail info@makeyourwordscount.com 1-905-567-8454
• Zorn, Renate "The Woman in the Red Dress And Nine Other Secrets of Networking Success", Make Your Own Words Count, Mississauga, Ontario 2005

Newspaper:
• Wall Street Journal – Tips on networking www.careerjournal.com/jobhunting/networking/










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