by infonistaadmin | Oct 18, 2016 | Job Hunting, Networking
Yep, asking your network for job-hunting help can sometimes feel awkward.
But did you know that experts say less than one in three jobs results from an online application? That one statistic alone should quickly vault “reaching out to my community of colleagues” to the top of your job-hunting tactics list.
In order to give your outreach efforts (and your contacts) the best chance of actually being able to help you find a job, however, it’s important to do some prep work first.
Do these three things first
Before you send that first e-mail or make that first phone call request, you need to: (more…)
by infonistaadmin | Mar 7, 2016 | Networking
Pop quiz: which is likelier to help build your career opportunities – your network’s strong ties (people with whom you have share professional interests and experience) or weak ties (people outside your professional sphere)?
Although it would seem like your strong ties would be the obvious answer, nope – it’s those weak ties that have been shown to do people the most good. (more…)
by infonistaadmin | Feb 4, 2016 | LinkedIn and Your Career, Networking
Recently I had a conversation with a colleague who is bright, extremely competent, and someone I turn to for great ideas and feedback on a regular basis. In other words, this is a colleague (and friend) you really want in your life because she brings so much value to it.
However, during our conversation she mentioned that she hesitates to ask people to connect on LinkedIn because it feels a bit like she’s stalking them. (more…)
by infonistaadmin | Jan 17, 2016 | Networking, Uncategorized
If your eyes (and brain) glaze over when someone brings up the subject of network-building, rest assured that you’re not alone.
In fact, in a study that tested people’s feelings about instrumental networking, defined as networking in order to advance your career, respondents indicated that they literally felt dirty, “so much so that they think about taking a shower or brushing their teeth.”
It turns out that most people tend to feel just fine about those spontaneous moments of relationship-building whose goal is the more authentic pursuit of human connection and possible friendship. (more…)
by infonistaadmin | Jul 5, 2015 | Networking
How many times have you been told that the key to getting ahead in your career is networking?
And how many times has that struck you as something at least slightly unethical, if not downright exploitive? The truth is, sometimes it can be just that.
(more…)
by infonistaadmin | Dec 30, 2014 | Networking, Professional Branding
Well, for starters, it shouldn’t really be a speech, but rather a brief exchange between two people momentarily sharing a connection in passing. But essentially, your piece of this exchange should be a roughly 30-second explanation of what you do (or what you would do amazingly well if given the opportunity) in language that’s clear, concise, and conversational. It’s an essential part of your professional brand, and yet often it’s one of the toughest things to come up with. (more…)
Yep, asking your network for job-hunting help can sometimes feel awkward.
