Networking 101 (first step, don't call it networking)

Time to read: 1.08 minutes

More photos of my pets. :-)

Welcome to week 4 of Job Searching for Corporate Rebels!

Networking. What does that word inspire for you? Fear? Insincerity? Fakeness?

You're not going to use the word anymore. Erase that word from your job search vocabulary. Go on, toss it out.

I'll wait.

If you are only scrolling online job openings and submitting applications, you are not taking full advantage of opportunities. (One caveat: If you are an industrial engineer applying for jobs in industrial engineering, then maybe online applications will work). For everyone else, a personal, relational approach will amp up your results.

Last week, I talked about building momentum. Personal interaction is the way to do that. This means live conversations with real people. The people can be anyone…your family, close friends, colleagues past and present, even strangers.

"I don't want to bug people," you say.

Here's the thing: People love dispensing advice. They love being the one who has finally made it to a place where they have something to offer. And, if they don't want to talk or don't have time, they won't. There's no harm in reaching out. You never know who holds the key to your next opportunity.

Ideally, you've kept in touch over the years. Even if you haven't, it's ok.

You arrive to the conversation prepared with questions about their career, what you are looking for, and what ideas they have for you.

Then you listen. After you've had the business conversation, then you ask about their kids, vacations, and other personal stuff. You'll have more time for a fun, personal check-in.

Today's Hot Tip: Here's a script for an email:

"Hey XYZ, It's been a while since we've connected. I was laid off in December and am starting a job search. I'm reaching far and wide for advice and ideas. Would you be willing to chat with me for 30 minutes?"

Today's Bonus Hot Tip: Be prepared to say yes to a chat with an old friend or an old friend's child about their job search in the future. Pay it forward!

Next week I'm going to tell you the #1 question to ask.

If you have a friend or colleague who is job-seeking, share this blog article with them. They can subscribe here to receive the whole series.

How to Stop That Devil On Your Shoulder

Time to read: 39 little seconds

I was talking to a new client recently, and he told me that every time he goes to networking events, a voice in his head tells him he has nothing to say, no one is interested, and that everyone else is a better networker.

No wonder networking seems hard and discouraging.

Networking is a popular place for this negative talk track to appear. Perhaps, for you, the voice appears in public presentations, in conversations with your boss, during job interviews or project meetings, dating, in-laws or college reunions. Choose your favorite situation.

You can't succeed in networking, interviews or conversations when you treat yourself negatively.

To dilute the negative voice, try this:

Think about someone you love - a friend, a sibling, or one of your children. Now imagine them at the networking event with you following them around whispering in their ear that they aren't good enough and will never succeed.

Ridiculous!

You'd never do that to them, right?

And yet, you do it to yourself.

Again, imagine the person you love. If you were a bug in their ear, how would you encourage them? What would you say?

See where this is going?! At the risk of connecting obvious dots...

Say those things to yourself.

Networking (and presentations and conversations with your boss and interviews) just got a whole lot easier.

Write to me and tell me all about it!

Rebel love to you!

Christina

P.S. Know someone who could use a weekly dose of positivity and tips for being happy in corporate life? They can join here.

This Is What Easy Looks Like!

Time to read: 45 seconds

Hello rebels,

A client of mine is looking for work and has decided to use this opportunity to craft his career in his area of passion and life purpose. It feels risky and exciting and scary and wonderful all at once.

He was recently accepted into and attended an exclusive international training program in his area of passion. This training included luminaries in his field, people with gobs of experience, amazing possibility for connection, and the potential for tapping into the unpublished job market. He was simultaneously excited and terrified.

For the event, we set some tactical goals: 1. to get a photo with the biggest star at the conference; 2. come away with at least 5 new connections.

On our call this week, we reviewed his progress toward these goals. Photo with star - check! And the 5 connections... "well," he said, "the conference organizers sat us at tables according to our region so the 5 connections happened easily. I guess I didn't really do the assignment."

What?! Didn't do the assignment? He wanted 5 connections and got 5 connections. In fact, more than 5 connections fell into his lap easily. Something seemed wrong because he hadn't "worked" for the connections. He hadn't struggled.

And, this is how life and work happens when you are on the right track. This is how opportunities flow when you are following your purpose. Opportunities come easily. Connections happen naturally. The universe just seats you at a table with exactly the people you need to meet.

All that energy spent struggling and worrying about making the right connections at the conference? He got to use it to talk about the things he actually cares about and take the next steps toward what he wants.

What would it be like to let go of the struggle and achieve your goals this easily?

You can.

With rebel love,

Christina

P.S. Do you know someone who feels they have to struggle to achieve their goals? Share this newsletter with them. They can join the fun here.