Networking With Grace and Ease - Part 2

In part 1 of Networking With Grace and Ease, I shared some networking questions that can be door openers and relationship starters.  Since networking boils down to relationships, how can job seekers move from an initial meeting to developing a collegial dynamic?

First, it's important to nurture your relationship with members of your network.  Remember, it’s incumbent upon you (not them) to do this. This is the chance to also be of service (see first three examples below). Track your contacts, striving to reach out every few weeks or so.  Here are some ideas for connecting in a positive and professional way:

• Send an email with an interesting article about something of interest to your contact.

• Send an update about a professional association he/she has mentioned.

•  Follow up on something you said you would do (ex:  As promised, here is the contact information to the publishing consultant I mentioned.  I’ve contacted him and he’s happy to answer those technical questions you had. He suggested that you mention my name when you call.  Best wishes!).

•  Send an email about what you’ve been doing (ex:  I wanted to reach out and let you know that I did research on the conference you mentioned and am going to attend. Are you planning on participating?).

•  Make a phone call. No worries about reaching an answering machine. In fact, with people being so busy, the answering machine can be your friend --  leave a quick message. “Hi Sally.  It’s Cathy Jones.  I thought I might catch you…I’m just calling to touch base and find out how things are going.  Last time we spoke/emailed, you mentioned you were presenting at a conference and I was interested in hearing about it.  I’ll touch base with you in a few weeks again, so no worries about calling back.  Hope all is well!  Bye!."

•  React to news (press release, LinkedIn update, industry news) via email:  Kathy, Congratulations on your new position.  How wonderful it was to read about it in ______. Best wishes for continued success!  All the best, Patti.

•  Reach out via phone or email re: meeting for coffee or lunch.  “I’m going to be in your area on ____ and wondered if you’re available for coffee or lunch.  It would be nice to catch up and hear how things are going for you.  Let me know…. Best, Janice."

As you develop relationships and build your network, you may receive requests...and you can also make requests such as “Would you consider giving me feedback on my resume?  I value your judgment and would be most appreciative on any suggestions you might have.”  OR  “I’m applying for jobs in the _______ field at ______ and ________ companies.  If you hear of any openings, I’d be so appreciative if you’d pass my name along.” 

This is quite different from sending out your resume to all of your contacts and asking for a job, nor is it putting someone on the spot – neither of which are effective strategies.  Rather, this is a thoughtful and considered strategy that when used appropriately (and sparingly) can be quite effective.

BOTTOM LINE

As you network and apply your job search strategy consistently and mindfully, remember that it all boils down to a few principles:

Be genuine. 

Be authentic. 

Be of service.   

Be thoughtful. 

BE YOU! 

Creating Space & Returning to Work

Create spaciousness so creativity can breath... 

so says my friend Claire O'Connor on a recent Enchanted Life facebook post.

Claire and her husband Ken help people live authentic, inspired and creative lives.  And this 6 word post is a pretty powerful mantra.   

When I originally read it, I was particularly struck by its application for job seekers, including moms returning to work.  Here's my slight redux, tweaked ever so slightly for my dear and wonderful job seekers: Create spaciousness so opportunities can appear.  

It's certainly not a necessity to declutter and organize in order to find a job and return to work.  But what I know is that it can sometimes make the difference between finding success and feeling stuck in place, with little positive momentum being gained.

What's in your environment that is creating a drag on you?  It could be a cluttered closet, an overburdened calendar, an overflowing junk drawer, or a car that is filled to the brim with the detritus of everyday life.  Whatever it is, the overall effect is the same.  It zaps energy and stops momentum in its tracks.  It's kind of like running in the pool...lots of energy expended, but not much distance covered.

Compare that to the zippy feeling of being organized and in control.  Ahhh...feel like you can rule the world, no?  

During job clubs, I sometimes give a take home assignment (or 'homeplay' to use the words of another wonderful friend and coach, Sierra J. Sullivan) to tackle an area of life that is cluttered or disorganized as a prep step for on ramping back to work. 

The result is often unanimous, with participants bubbling through the door sharing how amazing it feels to finally tackle something they had been putting off.  And by removing a negative, cluttered zone from their day to day, they've created space.  Perhaps that space is for creativity, self care or employment possibilities; things that couldn't enter because there simply wasn't enough space.

So, a challenge:  focus on 1 area and 1 area only to de-clutter or organize by the end of the weekend. Put it on your to do list and block out time on your calendar.  It doesn't have to be photo-shoot ready.  It just needs to be better than it was before - more airy and more spacious to create space for whatever your heart desires.  

If your project is a biggie (basement organizing - that's what I'm working on!), set a smaller goal for yourself that can be accomplished between now and the weekend.  For example, perhaps you'll just tackle going through 3 boxes or organizing holiday decorations.  

I'd love to hear how it goes.  Email me if you'd like to share!

All the best,

Carol

An Anti-Aging Treatment....for your resume!?!?

A great resume is like an investment wardrobe piece - classic and timeless.  It doesn't scream an era or look out of style. 

If you created your on-ramp/back to work resume using the same writing tips from back in the day, chances are your resume is out of style.  If so, your resume may be ready for an anti-aging facial of sorts. 

Here are 2 resume renewal treatments that can give your resume an updated look for a 21st century job search:

1.  Be Objective About Your Objective:  We all learned that objectives should talk about what we are looking for...advancement potential, room to grow, yada yada yada.  Today, it's no longer 'all about me.'  Organizations are looking for what you can do for THEM, not how they can help YOU.  Rephrase your resume objective to highlight what you bring to the table.  Use keywords for your target market AND the job posting. 

2. One Size Does NOT Fit All:  Customizing resumes is essential.  A generic resume that tries to promote your skills and abilities for any and all potential jobs just doesn't work.  Tweak your resume to match what the prospective employer is looking for.  I help my clients create a master resume for each of their target areas, and then teach them how to make slight changes depending upon a job posting or company profile.  This way, they're not starting over each time.  Rather, they're making small changes that take their resume from good to GREAT!

For more ideas, check out Does Your Resume Make You Look Old on CNN Money.

All the best,
Carol

Women Returning to Work and the Third Billion

While in an airport this weekend on my way home from a conference, I picked up a copy of Booz & Co.'s Summer 2010 Strategy + Business issue.  By the time I was midway through the article that began on page 8, "The Third Billion," I knew I had to share it with you.  The third billion refers to the number of women who will enter the global workplace over the next 10 years with significant, if not earth-changing, impact, and the authors calculate that 47 million of them live in North America, western Europe and Japan.

Having spent the weekend thinking about how women returning to the workforce can be such a positive force for helping to turn things around, I was struck by authors DeAnne Aguirre's and Karim Sabbaugh's analysis. They conclude the article by writing, "The creativity of the Third Billion may provide the world with an unprecedented resource for driving economic growth and improving the quality of life over the next decade....For leaders, the next step is to recognize the value of this population of women and the contribution they can make."

Pretty great, don't you think?

I recommend reading the The Third Billion in its entirety.

All the best,
Carol

Online Applications - the agony....

Question:  I’m looking to return to work.  I've noticed that some companies have online applications.  Do I need to fill these out, or can I just mail my resume and cover letter to their HR department?  These online forms take so much time...UGH!!


Answer:  This is a question that someone recently asked in one of my workshops. As a mom returning to the workforce, you’re probably going to be visiting a variety of job sites and company websites.  Often, there will be an online application of some sort that needs to be submitted.


Yes, I agree -- these can take a significant amount of time and the frustration factor is sizable!! 

You’ll want to follow the company’s procedures for applicants, though. While online applications are sometimes cumbersome, unwieldy, and time consuming, circumventing the official procedures can result in your resume getting tossed. Once you’ve done what is required, you can always send a well-done cover letter and resume via snail mail or email, referring to your online application.   One major caveat...ensure that you are submitting your information to a reputable and bona fide employer before proceeding (see link to Boston Globe's slide deck below).


Tip for on ramping: To make online applications a bit easier, create a reference sheet with commonly requested information already detailed (past jobs, responsibilities, dates, degrees, certificates, references, etc.). This way, all you’ll need to do is refer to the sheet for much of the application. No need to keep recreating the wheel!  The Boston Globe's Tips for Completing Online Applications slide show is filled with great information and worth the site visit!



All the best,


Carol

The Truth About Stay at Home Moms

The Truth About Stay At Home Moms

Show me a picture of a stay at home mom and I’ll say “Check her odometer!!” The phrase, you see, is a complete oxymoron.

Not one woman I know who has ‘stayed home,’ really did. While we may have decided to off ramp from career paths, many of us applied our business and project management skills to new venues. For moms who ‘stayed home,’ we accomplished lots of things: served on boards of directors of non profits, volunteered as officers of PTOs and PTAs, consulted part-time, volunteered in ministry work, used project management skills in logistical and financial planning for our homes,….the list truly is endless!

How do I know about this? Because I was there in the trenches alongside you! I’ve seen how hard you work and how smart you are. I know what you have to offer to the world of work. Your work ethic is unparalleled, your ability to multi-task…well, let’s just say you are one of the originators of the movement, and your teamwork skills are about as good as they get. In other words, YOU ROCK!

So, as you begin to create your resume and plan for going back to work, consider all that you’ve been doing ‘at home.’ We may have some teaching to do, helping companies and organizations understand how our achievements ‘at home’ translate into valuable workplace skills. But once we begin to show them what we’ve got, they’ll be clamoring for other comeback moms to join their ranks!

Please keep me posted on your progress!! I’d love to begin highlighting some success stories in future posts.

All the best,
Carol