Networking: Not an activity, it’s a mindset.

Often times people say with a sigh, “I have to get out and do some networking.” The reality is that networking can’t be something you do occasionally or feverishly for one month, it has to be the way you operate. Like any successful part of peoples’ lives you have put time and thought into it. For example, social networking tools like LinkedIn are only powerful when you invest a significant amount of effort. Your daily goal should be to make new connections that will drive business and to use the network to learn and to convey how you can help others. People respond in kind. It’s better to give than receive. But if you don’t agree with that, just follow the “seed principle”. You reap what you sow, so… sow frequently. And thoughtfully.

Avoid taking on too many social networking tools at once. Dive into one. And then, live in it. Learn from experts on how to best utilize it. Ask the question, “Who’s benefiting most from this?” And then, “How do they use it?” Then figure out how to use multiple tools and how they complement one another.

Many folks think that networking groups are the way to go. Truly they can be helpful but they can’t be the “end all, be all” of your networking repertoire. Don’t bite off more than you can chew. You need to choose your groups wisely. Shop around. And focus on the quality of the participation instead of numbers of people you’ll meet. After all, you’re not playing the game “whoever collects the most business cards wins”. You’re trying to establish mutually beneficial relationships that will drive personal fulfillment and business success.

When you are doing business (over the phone, or out and about) each person you meet is a potential lead or someone that could be the other member of a win/win business relationship. However, introductions without taking the next steps, forging relationships, won’t get you very far. Ask people questions to learn what they do (remember that people will respond in kind) and be ready to share what you do and how knowing each other will be advantageous. Follow up is paramount and defining the next step and executing it is key. This is your opportunity to start a relationship, to figure out why knowing each other and staying connected makes sense, to begin the most important part of any business partnership, trust.

Networking is an art really. And it’s a skill. That you shape and tweak. Examine how well the things you do work. When they work, repeat them. Write down whom you’d like to meet. Think outside the proverbial box. Consider how important it would be to meet people other than you’re next customer. For instance, referral sources have to be diverse and abundant. Perhaps you want to meet people like; potential mentors, competitors, business development contacts in a non-competing industry (that you can share contacts with), professionals for informational interviews (to guide you on your career path), potential clients (to conduct market research)… the list goes on. Networking isn’t something for the “to do” list. But rather, it should be on your “you do” list.

Looking for jobs that pay what you're worth: Pitfalls of doing otherwise

Working as a manager for a professional division of a global, best-in-class, leader in the staffing and HR solutions business I meet a lot of candidates that are getting so desperate that they are willing to make a whole lot less than they did in their last position. There are some potential negative consequences to that. Let's take a look a them...

First of all, you have a much lower chance of landing a position where the pay grade is a notch or two lower. Think of it this way. Managers don't want to hire you and then get a knock on the door two months later to learn that you're quitting for a better opportunity now that the economy has improved. You have to realize that managers are often looking for long term fits to their organizations and departments. When I managed over a dozen people training and ramp up was something that I initially enjoyed but eventually began to dread. Stability is so important. Intellectual capital is hard to replace. And training and development time and dollars end up a waste. So, think twice when applying for that job 20k to 30k less than your last salary.

Another thing to consider is how do you recover? Can you simply explain to your next prospective employer that you "just had to take something"? You might find yourself fighting to get something slightly under that job you loved and retained for five years. Watch out for this too... if you take a job at a lower pay rate how long are you going to stay there? Short assignments could mean you receive the stigma of being a job hopper. Are you able to spin it in an interview to make sure the impression is favorable? Think about it. Especially if you don't have a poker face.

Consider this. Riding it out. If you have the financial wherewithal you can come off as someone who's looking for the right opportunity. Wanting to use joblessness as an opportunity to improve your career path and status. This can be a pitfall too. You must be mindful of how it looks to have gaps in your resume. Once again, it's all about how you spin it. How you explain the course you took is crucial. And how that choice has prepared you to forge ahead, on a career path you determined, that you planned ahead for!

Here are some helpful options to consider when jobless for an extended period of time and the stress levels and frustration levels are rising...

• Contemplate working for yourself. Working as an independent consultant. You might find that you can solve a business problem that's not being addressed and love it. You could learn that the lifestyle of being your own boss is gratifying and liberating. And the challenge is what motivates you each day to do better than before.
• Use social networking tools to stay connected with the people that care about you and to meet new people who can help you in a unique and irreplaceable way. Ask for informational interviews with the people who work for the ideal companies to land that next position. Learn who you know knows someone at those companies (people that you think highly of and vice versa) and drop their name. You can't underestimate how powerful this can be.
• Connect yourselves with good, quality recruiters. If you need help spotting what the good ones look like, contact me. Or reconnect with the recruiters you are working with. Express a sense of urgency. A candidate did that with me lately and it drove me to act in his behalf!
• Find someone to talk about career options. Alternatives that you maybe never thought of. You need to find the anti-environmentalists. These are not people who are against renewable energy sources... it is the kind of person that can step outside of something in order to see it objectively in order to notice what is otherwise unnoticeable.
• Give up salary but get something else that's justifies the decision! Many folks will take a lower salary for a more flexible work schedule. Or more vacation, down time. Or perhaps a five minute commute at twenty-five miles an hour. You decide. You don't put salary on your resume but if the subject comes up with a future employer you can spin it by saying that you "successfully and purposefully negotiated benefits-in-lieu of a higher paying salary."
• Take out a piece of paper. Draw a bulls-eye. Think of the jobs that are in the center of the bulls-eye. And all the things make them the essence of what you're searching for. Fifty points! Figure out what positions you are willing to take that are not perfect but will meet most of your needs and will advance your career somewhat. Twenty-five points. Lastly, define what you are willing to do if the above two situations don't pan out. Ten points (sigh). Place a time-line on when you look for jobs in each section of the target. Know what these jobs or careers are. And whatever you do... don't settle for something that outside of that circle.