The power of YES... and

 

When I’m recruiting on social media, I’ll ask for someone to connect to me and if I can send the job description. Occasionally, I get a NO. It doesn’t happen that often but when it does, I think about the power of YES. You can open your network, develop more friends, meet your new boss with YES.

Think about this - If you’re not interested and happy in your job you can always say, “Yes, please send it, although, I'm  currently very happy at my job.” Who knows the job could be an amazing fit if not you just made a new connection/friend. Use YES, and.

By using YES, and - It keeps the connection open and creates a positive interaction.  Positive YES networking can get you a job, a spouse, a new friend, a business associate. It opens your world to new people and ideas.  Say YES.

Networking - getting those new connects

Online networking can be daunting. It’s reaching out to someone you don’t know, attempting to make a business connection, and hoping that you get it right. I don’t accept everyone connects and it’s often because they don’t bother to introduce themselves. 

I like an introduction – the 15 second elevator pitch  - but a softer version. Give a reason why you want to be connected.  It can be as simple as I’m interested learning more about your industry or I’m new to the industry/area/profession and I thought I’d introduce myself.  Be genuine and once they connect to you thank them with another short note. Most people are friendly and appreciate increasing their network too.

What to do with your hands at a Networking Event.

This morning I got a question from one of the Chapman grads I work with frequently and it’s a good one that I should share.

Chapman grad – “I realized last week in a networking setting that I have NO idea what to do with my hands when I'm standing in a group of people. I never land on anything that works, and then overthink it and feel awkward about it. Any advice?”

I loved his questions because I struggle with what to do with my hands at times when all I want to do is flip my pen around. A few things that work for me:

Things to do - You can keep both hands behind your back with your fingers clasped. Clasped in front works too but some men make it look awkward. You can put your thumb in one pant or suit pocket hang the rest of your hand out while keeping the other hand at your side. If you put both thumbs in your pockets it looks like a “John Wayne” stance (howdy cowboy) although, I do that all the time and it works fine for me. I fidget all the time so I like to lock down my hands. I like to keep my business cards in my left pocket so I can shake with my right while handing my business card with your left. Sometimes I totally mess this up and hand the card to the person upside down but heck I’m human and I make mistakes too. Not often, mind you. 

Things not to do – Don’t cross your arms in front of you - it makes you unapproachable. If someone is annoying you with a rambling conversation, though, it’s a good thing to do because it verbally signals – I’m done. Also don’t hold on to one arm with the other arm – it looks awkward. I see people doing this all the time because they are nervous, every time I see people do this I think they are nervous and/or shy.

NETS Meeting

Last Thursday I went off to Corpus Christi Church in Aliso Viejo to a NETS meeting to speak about networking. I had a great time at the meeting explaining how recruiters network – which is how we work - and meeting a group of very nice people.

NETS is a good group because it’s not too big, the people get to know each other, and they help each other out. This group is truly committed to one another and helping people transition through their careers. I think if we all participate in a good group similar to NETS, it would open up our networks tremendously.

Networking with Hooter’s Girls?? What??!???

I received an invitation to attend an in person networking meeting with a large group I joined through LinkedIn. One of my work friends, E, also received an invite so we decided to meet there and network as a team. Working a room with two people is easier than one. As I parked in the lot waiting for her to arrive and talking to her via cell, a car parks and out hop the Hooter’s Girls. They grab food out of their trunk and head right into the networking group. I’m narrating the scene as it happens all E had to say was, “Are you serious?” Yes, I was serious. Right away my gut feel was is going to be bad and it was. The event was loud, unorganized, the food was all in one cramped location, and you had to yell to hear anyone.

E also had a few thoughts about the networking event I thought I’d share.

“It was very disorganized. You would think there would be some kind of welcome speech by the organizer with an explanation of the purpose of the gathering and some tips for networking, so that people did not just wander aimlessly. The set up was not conducive to meet and greets – just a mass of people huddled together looking befuddled. Also, there was no rhyme or reason to the broad cross section of industries represented. Perhaps if they set up areas for people with similar industries/interests to meet that would be much better. I just did not get a good vibe there. Zero interest in talking with anyone.

Then of course, you said it all when you commented that based on that experience you will never attend another event by them. Unfortunately, it leaves one with a negative impression of the whole group. Also, one last note – they made us go through the trouble of registering for the event, but then they never checked to see if we were actually registered – i.e. they did not check us in via a list of registrants. Now I get that they just wanted to fill the place up, but not checking names discourages people from taking them seriously when the appearance is that they letting anyone in off the street, and are just collecting business cards to bombard us with some sales pitch for some other nefarious reason.

Of course! Too bad you didn’t take a picture of the mess – it would have been a good visual of what not to do if you want a successful event. A photo of me looking very annoyed would have been good ;-). ”

I do agree with E’s appraisal of the event. This was the second one I’ve attended and I don’t plan on attending third. Lesson learned – sometimes large networking events are a waste of time and you’re better off cultivating the network you already have.

Taking my own advice - get out of your own network!

Last Friday I decided to take some of my own advice and get out of my normal work and social network. I RSVP'd for the Chapman Woman in Film Conference. What a great conference for women in general, and what fun it was learning about the film industry.

I majored in Communications/Public Relations. When I graduated from Chapman, I thought I’d never use the skills I learned in school recruiting. I was wrong. My classes taught me how to write and market. In the past, recruiting was all about talking and networking face to face. Now with recruiting becoming an on-line profession with more written communication than verbal all those classes with Janell Shearer and Veston Rowe came in handy. So going back to my roots was a good thing. I reconnected with some people I have not talked to in years and connected with some new people. Getting out of your normal network does work!