| BostonDotCom: | OK, chatters, our Big Help Chat-a-thon continues ow with Diane Danielson. . . |
| BostonDotCom: | Founder of Downtown Women's Clubs, a BostonWorks Job Blog contributor, and networking expert |
| BostonDotCom: | Welcome, Diane! |
| Diane_Danielson: | Thanks for having me. Glad to be hear to chat about my favorite topic - networking! |
| BostonDotCom: | Chatters, Diane is ready to field your questions - our topic is networking, a critical part of job seeking |
| BostonDotCom: | Fire away with your questions. |
| rich: | Q: Should I try and keep up with a former boss with whom I did not get along? Is that a good network contact for me? |
| Diane_Danielson: | Generally
speaking, I apply the "airplane test" for networking. I don't network
with anyone I wouldn't want to sit next to on a cross-country airplane
flight. |
| Diane_Danielson: | If you don't "click" for whatever reason, you're both on edge and wary of what the other person wants. |
| rich: | Q: Supposing I have not spoken with a college classmate for 25 years or so - can I still pick up the phone and call? |
| Diane_Danielson: | By all means, yes! Who doesn't love getting that unexpected call. |
| Diane_Danielson: | Just lead with
whatever it was that sparked your memory - ran into another old
classmate, recalled that you were in the health care industry, etc. |
| mjc_1001: | Q: Diane, how can
a small IT outsourcing company attract new business? Are there
recruiting companies out there that recruit business to business
opportunities? |
| Diane_Danielson: | Part of networking
is "networking for information" I would try to go to organizations like
a Chamber of Commerce and ask just that question.
|
| Diane_Danielson: | You'll eventually
stumble across someone if it exists and in the meantime, you'll get to
discuss your business in a casual non-salesly way |
| angel: | Q: Is it OK to try and use my friends for business contacts? |
| Diane_Danielson: | It does depend on
the friend, but feel them out. If they are professionals and are also
looking to network, why not propose a coffee date to talk biz? |
| Becky11: | Q: In an exit
interview is it better to say little to nothing for fear of hurting any
relationships that may benefit you in the future? |
| Diane_Danielson: | Sorry to use a cliche, but "one should never burn bridges." Best to take the high road at all times. |
| quick_job: | Q: Hi Diane. What
if your "networking" gets back to your current employer. Is that
something to worry about or is there some way to avoid that? |
| Diane_Danielson: | If you are
actively looking for a job and don't want your employer to know, best
to mention that to the people you network with in advance. |
| Diane_Danielson: | If you are caught,
the best way to squirm out of it is to say that you aren't interested
in leaving but you were just weighing potential future options. |
| gregor: | Q: what are some good local networking clubs to go to? |
| Diane_Danielson: | The best networking groups or clubs are ones that fit your lifestyle and interest - social or business. |
| Diane_Danielson: | You can find these through online and in print calendars like BostonWorks, trade journals, craig's list, etc. |
| Whale: | Q: How does
networking differ from regular social interaction. Am I still just "one
of the guys" or should I be talking about professional things? |
| Diane_Danielson: | It's funny, but most of my best networking comes from social interaction. These days work and life seem to blend. |
| Diane_Danielson: | You have to play to your audience and guage if they want to talk business, sports, etc. |
| julie_2: | Q: are there any books on networking 101 that you'd recommend? |
| Diane_Danielson: | There are several,
and of course I have to mention mine "Table Talk: The Savvy Girl's
Alternative to Networking" for reluctant networkers. |
| Diane_Danielson: | Also for the reluctant - "Nonstop Networking" by Andrea Neirenberg; for the Extrovert - Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi |
| rich: | Q: Is it really true that most jobs are landed through networking than any other approach? |
| Diane_Danielson: | Yes. While I don't have the stats on that it's pretty high - somewhere around 70%. |
| Diane_Danielson: | The reason is that
in today's crowded market, employers are likely to hire the person who
comes recommended by someone of stature. |
| Dane: | Q: Diane, is networking important even if I'm not looking for a job? |
| Diane_Danielson: | There are two things in life that you can never start too early - Networking and maxing out your 401K. |
| Diane_Danielson: | You never know when your going to need either and it's better to be prepared. |
| angel: | Q: I've heard networking is the best way to get a job, yet I've never gotten a job through networking. What am I doing wrong? |
| Diane_Danielson: | While I don't have the details, the biggest mistake most people make is not having a strategy. |
| Diane_Danielson: | Before you leave
the house or make that next call, think about why you're networking,
how that individual might help you and how you might help that other
person. |
| Andy_2: | Q: What exactly is "networking?" Is it just being popular? Handing out your business card? Is there a way anyone can do it? |
| Diane_Danielson: | Networking is really "Building Relationships." No one can succeed in business alone. You need information and support. |
| Diane_Danielson: | Many of the best
networkers don't have a rolodex of 500 people, but they do have 4 or 5
good contacts who can provide them with both information and support. |
| rich: | Q: What do you think about LinkedIn and the onlne networking tools? Can you really get a job that way? |
| Diane_Danielson: | I'm new to the online networking world. But as an early nay-sayer I will revise my opinion and say that it can work. |
| Diane_Danielson: | It's best for research - finding information about companies and also for sales leads. |
| Diane_Danielson: | But for building
relationships, I still feel that there has to be some "in-person"
connection. I guess I see it as another tool, but not a substitute. |
| Dane: | Q: Should I network with people who aren't in my profession? |
| Diane_Danielson: | Absolutely! There is one individual in Boston who has done more for me than anyone else and that's my hairdresser! |
| Diane_Danielson: | He's gotten me TV interviews, NY contacts, etc. You never know who knows who else in Boston. |
| leo: | Q: I don't like talking
about work. Is there some way I can make contacts with people that can
help me professionally without talking about boring stuff all the time? |
| Diane_Danielson: | It sounds to me
like you don't like your current work. Maybe you could focus your
networking efforts on some aspirations you might have. |
| Diane_Danielson: | However, some of
my best contacts came out of social conversations and through social
organizations like the Institute of Contemporary Arts and my soccer
team. |
| plyale: | Q: What's the best way to network in a company that you don't know anyone? |
| Diane_Danielson: | If you mean trying
to get in from the outside, then try attending industry organizations
where people from that company are likely to attend. |
| Diane_Danielson: | You'll also likely meet people who may know people at that company. |
| leo: | Q: Do you ever worry that people will feel you're just using them? |
| Diane_Danielson: | If you only talk to them when you want something, then you are basically Richard Hatch and should be kicked off the island. |
| Diane_Danielson: | But, if you truly
enjoy the other person and take the time to help them when needed,
they'd be happy to help you and won't feel "used." |
| Hobart: | Q: If I do a business favor for someone, can I expect on in return? |
| Diane_Danielson: | The best
networkers never keep score. Sometimes it may be 10 years before the
other person has a way of returning a business favor. |
| Diane_Danielson: | Those who give, do tend to receive, although it might not be immediately. |
| srice: | Q: I understand that
networking is important in looking for a job, but it seems that I just
don't know anyone in the field that I am interested in pursuing. And
the contacts I have made, haven't led to any futher opportunities. Do
you have any recommendations? |
| Diane_Danielson: | Two thoughts here. First, there is an organization for everything these days, so find one for the field your interested in. |
| Diane_Danielson: | Second, sometimes a job hunter might be so focused that they close themselves off from other opportunities. |
| BostonDotCom: | Folks, we have time for just one or two more for Diane - |
| angel: | Q: how do you make contacts with the managers hiring for a specific position? |
| Diane_Danielson: | Try finding a
contact within the company who could make a personal introduction for
you. Or at the least, pass your resume along with a personal
recommendation. |
| Vur321: | Q: Do I network with people inside my company, like while I'm at work? |
| Diane_Danielson: | Yes! You will be
able to do your job better if you build relationships inside the
company and it will help build your reputation for promotions. |
| Diane_Danielson: | I recommend grabbing coffee with different people from different departments; and attending work-related off-hours events. |
| BostonDotCom: | Last one! |
| Hobart: | Q: Is it OK to give
one of my contact's information to another one? What is the proper
etiquette for putting people in touch with one another who might have
common business interests? |
| Diane_Danielson: | The proper
etiquette is to check with the person first as to whether you should
give out their contact information. Never give it out without advance
notice. |
| BostonDotCom: | Diane, a thousand thanks for those netwokring pearls of wisdom! |
| Diane_Danielson: | Thanks you for moderating and to the chatters for such great questions! |
| BostonDotCom: | Chatters, see you back here at 1 pm with Michael Neece on "Acing the Interview." |
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