TIPS AND STRATEGIES FOR EFFECTIVE NETWORKING Yvonne Estimé Assistant General Counsel and Director of Large Law Programs Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC)
TIPS AND STRATEGIES FOR EFFECTIVE NETWORKING
Yvonne Estimé Assistant General Counsel and
Director of Large Law Programs Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC)
TIPS AND STRATEGIES FOR EFFECTIVE NETWORKING:
• Effective networking is a critical component of your job search
• Expanding your contacts will greatly enhance your chances of landing your next opportunity.
• Treat your search as a political campaign, nurture the contacts you have, make new contacts, you want them to believe you, trust you, remember you.
• The following tips and strategies will help you make the most of every opportunity to expand your circle of influence.
A. Online Social Media Networking
Although considered a social networking site, Facebook can also be useful for your professional networking. If you do not have a Facebook account, consider opening one. Here are some tips and strategies on using Facebook for professional networking
Online Social Media Networking Facebook
Tip: Employers are searching Facebook That means prospective and current employers may be
looking at your Facebook account. Make sure that what’s on your Facebook account is
professional and will leave a potential employer with the appropriate image of you.
Online Social Media Networking
Tip: Clean up your Facebook Site Check that you do not have anything inappropriate or
questionable on your account That means your profile, pictures, postings, updates, or
anything else that may pose an issue or conflict for a prospective employer
If there is anything that may be inappropriate, remove it
Online Social Media Networking
Strategy: Use Facebook to Widen Your Network Search Facebook for people you know, including past
or present colleagues, past acquaintances, former classmates, recruiters, and friends
Send them a friend request; invite them to join Facebook if they are not already a member
Online Social Media Networking
Strategy: Don’t be Shy Send your contacts a message letting them know you
are looking for an opportunity, and what you are interested in doing.
Make it relevant to them, if possible Remember to thank them for their assistance
Online Social Media Networking
LinkedIn LinkedIn is the professional networking site and is great
tool to develop your circle of influence and network.
Tip: As with Facebook, Keep it Professional Make sure that what is posted on your LinkedIn site is a
positive refection of you
Keep it clean and professional
Online Social Media Networking LinkedIn
Tip: Check Your Profile Photo
You know the saying; “act the part,” you also want to look the part Employers are looking at your site and you want them to be able to see you in the position you want. Avoid dressing in business casual attire, look professional in your photo This may be employer’s first impression of you
Online Social Media Networking LinkedIn
Strategy: Search Contacts Contacts
Interested in a company? Search your current contacts to see if they have a contact at the Company. If you find a contact at that company, ask your contact for an introduction or ask them if you can reach-out to their contact on you own and whether you may use their name Remember, this is not the time to be shy or timid.
Online Social Media Networking LinkedIn
Strategy: Post The Right Resume for The Position
Many of us have different versions of our resume for different opportunities Make sure to post the right version for the position you seek If you are interested in different types of opportunities, make sure your resume reflects you skills and qualifications for each of the opportunities you seek
Online Social Media Networking LinkedIn
Strategy: Search for Contacts – Grow Your Circle
Search on LinkedIn for past and present colleagues, recruiters, classmates, past acquaintances, and people you have volunteered with or done business with Invite them to join your network The point is not merely to have a network of your friends, your goal is to make new contacts and grow your circle of influence
Online Social Media Networking
The same tips and strategies mentioned above for Facebook and LinkedIn apply for Twitter.
B. Face-to-Face Networking
Tools
We use tools to tackle many tasks, make sure you also have the right tools for networking
events and activities. Your networking tools should include copies of your current resume, and business cards with
the URL to your personal website.
Face-to-Face Networking
Resume
Tips: Always Carry Copies of Your Current Resume
Always have copies of your resume ready to share whenever requested While you can email a copy later, always be prepared with a copy to hand out
Face-to-Face Networking
Resume
Strategy: Reduce your resume to the size of a postcard and carry that with you for distribution
Load a copy on a thumb drive and carry it with you, attach it to your keychain, put it in your pocket, or purse Email a copy to yourself and save the email. When asked for a copy, forward the email using your iPhone, Blackberry, or other Smartphone
Face-to-Face Networking
PREPARE
Tip: Carry Business Cards at all Times
While networking, you will meet a lot of people and you want them to be able to easily contact you.
Face-to-Face Networking
PREPARE
Strategy: Print your business cards on good quality paper with your name, contact information including telephone, email address, and URL for your personal
website Consider creating a personal website with information on your professional skills, background and talents On the back of your business cards, briefly list your skills and experiences, and highlight your capabilities
Networking Events Attend as many events as possible and meet as
many people as you can. There are many events that are free or charge a nominal fee. You may also want to attend some of the events that are not free, if possible, for the value you will get from attending, think of it as an investment.
Look for business functions, attend bar association events, the ACC Annual Meeting, Committee events, ACC Chapter events, diversity functions, conferences, and charity events.
Networking Events
Tip: Research Event Attendees and Speakers If you know who will attend the event, research them, research their companies and/or industries
Strategy: Google the speaker, attendees and their companies. This will provide you with topics to discuss when you meet them Carry note cards with the names and some relevant facts or information about the person to discuss when you meet them.
Networking Events
Tip: Check Your Body Language Smile, stand tall, be courteous, and exude confidence. You want to be seen as confident without seeming arrogant
Tip: Figure Out Your Personality Type If you are better at one-on-one conversations, then look for opportunities to speak with individuals one at a time. If you are comfortable in groups, find a group, approach them and when appropriate, introduce yourself and join the conversation
Networking Events Conversation Starters
Tip: People Love to Talk About Themselves
Most people enjoy talking about themselves Ask a question and let them talk about themselves They will think they had a wonderful conversation with you and likely remember you If you know about the person’s family, ask about their family and children, people also love to talk about their children
Networking Events Conversation Starters
Strategy: Find an Individual or Group you Would Like to Meet, Smile, Walk Up, and Introduce Yourself
If you are a whiz at small talk, let your personality shine But if you dread small talk, simply say: “Hello, my name is X, what do you do?” or If they are wearing a name badge, say, “Tell me about your work at company X” People usually love talking about themselves, so merely ask a few questions about their work and interest, and listen. People also appreciate good listeners.
Networking Event Follow-up Soon after the event, but within one week, follow-up with anyone you met following up on the discussion. Send thank you notes for if shared useful information with you or gave you a contact.
Tip: Draft Follow-Up and Thank You E-mail templates This will save you time when sending follow ups.
Strategy: The day following the event, personalize one of the templates, and immediately send off the e-mail.
C. Networking Opportunities Beyond the Events
Tap Your Outside Counsel
Do not forget to reach out to your network of private practice attorneys you know or have worked with. Send your
information to the law firm attorneys. They may be willing to send out an e-mail blast to their contacts on your behalf.
C. Networking Opportunities Beyond the Events
Contact Outside Counsel
Tip: Employers ask firms for Candidate Referrals If you were good to them, they will be happy to assist you.
Tip: Do not under-estimate the willingness of private practice attorneys to assist you Remember, there’s a potential benefit to outside counsel, if you land at a company, you may become a client.
C. Networking Opportunities Beyond the Events
Tap into Your In-House Colleague’s Networks
Dig up your former colleague’s contact information and do not hesitate to ask them to blast your information to
their network.
Good Luck Networking and best wishes on your search.
Thank you for your time and attention. Let me know if I can be of
service
Yvonne Estimé: [email protected] 202/293-4103, ext. 302