Networking and Job Searching

[han-grrl]

Business Networking International

here is some of their podcasts. Although they are focused on tips for their meetings, there are still some really good tips...
http://www.bnipodcast.com/

[boy in a kilt]

I'm in this situation myself. Got fired a couple of weeks ago. TigerSister and I decided this would be a capital opportunity to move back to the Portland area.

A couple of things I've learned:
1) It doesn't hurt to give yourself a few days to accept what has just happened to you after you lose a job. I finally realized that all the stuff (evil, self-deprecating and otherwise) is a pretty normal response.

2) I've worked out two potential career paths and have a couple of resumes for each emphasizing different aspects of my skill set and I have cover letters discussing both. This reduces the amount of customizing that I have to do before I send the thing out.

3) SGTiger and I have enough savings to keep us going for a while. This reduces the urgency a bit. In turn, this means I have the option of holding out for something that is more consistent with what I want rather than taking the first offer that is put in front of me.

4) My network in Seattle is ok, but my network in Portland is pretty weak. Fortunately, I'm working with a recruiter. I've also talked to previous supervisors and they are letting me use contacts from their networks. This is why I always save business cards and I always make sure my folder of business cards leave with me when I walk out the door.

5) Monster is pretty good. I've gotten jobs and job offers off it. However, it is really easy to get obsessive. I try to limit my time on the various boards to around 4 or 5 hours a day.

6) Ride your bike. Work out. You have plenty of time now which means you have no excuses. This keeps you from being obsessive.

Wish me luck. My standing record for finding a new job is 17 days. It doesn't look like I'll make that this time.

[Fredwina]

Just to share my experiences.
They gig I held the longest, I went for interview and they rejected me. Three months late, I went back as contractor, and a year later they hired me.
I've worked for the same company twice.
As far getting the can - Yeah taking some time to get over it can be good.
Networking - even if you have a job and like it NEVER stop networking! You never when you're times up, and you might just find something better

[han-grrl]

One thing i agree with is set a time each day for job searching and then STOP. You can get lost on the internet, the day goes by, and your stress levels increase...you get the idea. I made a point that I would spent no more than 2 hours each day on my job search online. I also set a goal of applying to ONE good job each day. AND i also set a rule that once i found my jobs to apply to, that's it, computer off. Go ride.

As far as networking goes, another tidbit is, don't be afraid to ask someone for information. I know I'm guilty of "i don't want to bother someone" but there's never any harm in asking someone for a meeting, (it helps if you offer them a treat to a latte!) emphasizing that you would be happy to work around their schedule and keep things short. I met some wonderful people along this journey.

[shootingstar]

6) Ride your bike. Work out. You have plenty of time now which means you have no excuses. This keeps you from being obsessive.

Wish me luck. My standing record for finding a new job is 17 days. It doesn't look like I'll make that this time.

Best of luck. I suspect when I finish my current job in 2009, if I haven't found another more permanent one than current one, I will be on the pavement again searching. (Geez, sounds like combing pavement for pennies...)

I got my current job ..within 2 months which I consider incredible for myself. But the construction industry is hot in British Columbia and Alberta.

Longest time unemployed=7 months. I did want a job that made use of my formal training and previous job experience. Yes, I did some networking, though tough since I knew no one in Vancouver. Made sure I volunteered for one of the local professional associations. Employers do want to see you are doing something to remain current/relevant/you're learning something useful during unemployment.

Yes, I biked every day. Climbing real hills every day was psychologically helpful...I also lost weight without trying.. I would only spend 1/2 day per day job searching since I didn't want to slide into deep depression.

For my lst job out of university, I got it when I offered myself as a volunteer. The manager offered me a paid part-time job instead.

She has remained my mentor and good friend for the last 25 yrs. And yes, she help me in my career by demonstrating the importance of networking and how to carry myself professionally. She is also one of the few valued colleagues that I trust to confide difficulties that I have occasionally experienced in certain jobs. There are 2 other colleague friends also who act in this capacity for me..very important because in professional networks....there's alot of talk ...and important to maintain one's professional credibility/viability amongst your work-related peers.

[surgtech1956]

This is more about networking, I'd like to get some feedback/advice/recommendations if I could. There's a position at work that hopefully is going to be posted(a manager), but that would be a bachelor's level - a business degree. The position isn't posted yet - the guy that left it was sort of requested to leave(about 2 months ago). I'm doing alot of the duties of the manager's job, actually I'm the only one in the department that can perform the duties. So I'm already doing most of the job. But, I have an associate's degree - but 13 1/2 years in the department. Any advice on how to sell myself. The position isn't posted yet, I inquired about if it was going to be posted about a month ago and the director said to apply for it even though I don't have the degree. I'm doing a good job in the position I'm in. I need to get off worker's comp so I need a better position. What about making a suggestion to combine my position and the manager position. But I don't want things to backfire - so I have to do both without a pay increase. Any thoughts, recommendations, advice? Sorry this is so long.

[shootingstar]

The position isn't posted yet - the guy that left it was sort of requested to leave(about 2 months ago). I'm doing alot of the duties of the manager's job, actually I'm the only one in the department that can perform the duties. So I'm already doing most of the job. But, I have an associate's degree - but 13 1/2 years in the department. Any advice on how to sell myself. The position isn't posted yet, I inquired about if it was going to be posted about a month ago and the director said to apply for it even though I don't have the degree. I'm doing a good job in the position I'm in. I need to get off worker's comp so I need a better position. What about making a suggestion to combine my position and the manager position. But I don't want things to backfire - so I have to do both without a pay increase. Any thoughts, recommendations, advice? Sorry this is so long.

Your facts don't quite jive if you say you are on worker's compensation...not working now? But still can do some of the work of the manager's role. Sorry for being inquistive if you don't want to respond.

I would not suggest combining your present job and manager's ...they may lower the job classification and pay scale.

Are you taking any courses to advance your skills related to a manager's role? ..it would be good..to demonstrate your seriousness of working in a manager's role. Would this role mean actually also managing other people who would report to you? Or is the job title reflective of program/functional coordination of the dept.

Would you have the responsibility in the role to set departmental goals and targets annually?

Being a worker and manager can be 2 different things....and others will figure it out if the department performs well or backslides.

I have held several management roles. When I switched to management, there IS a difference, especially when one has responsibility for a large budget, supervising other people and doing performance appraisals

[surgtech1956]

I am still considered worker's comp - partial comp - because I'm not making the salary that I was when I get hurt in this current position. I get paid by my employer plus a comp check(they are suppose to make up the difference - but its only 65%).

The new position is just 'manager' in name only, I heard rumor that the title might be changed because the guy that left the position wasn't supervising anyone and really didn't have any responsibilities relating to budget(this is a hospital). I'm a coordinator now for the office - 6 people.

No I haven't taken any classes - I thought I would do that if I was in the position - this way I would know what classes would be of most benefit - the job is inventory control/purchasing. I really miss doing my 'real' job, I see my doctor next month and was also hoping to go back to my 'real' job of a surgical technologist. (her recommendation was to have a sit-down job to preserve the life of my knee and keep me working as long as possible - I'm 51.

Thanks for responding. I worked as a surgical tech for 12 1/2 years - so I haven't had to do any type of networking, job searching, etc...

[tulip]

Surgtech, if at all possible, I would suggest taking a class in some sort of management. It would be great if that course could count towards a bachelors degree down the road, but that may not be necessary. Something to show that you are striving to continually improve your skills. Perhaps a certificate in management or something. There are online courses as well as community colleges that offer such classes at reasonable rates. Your employer may even have a tuition reimbursement program. This might not help with the current position you are seeking, but will put you in a better position for the future.

It's better to be proactive than reacting when something comes up. Be ready for it when it does.

That being said, I don't know your particular situation at work. But I've found that even with lots of experience, if the position calls for a certain level of education, it's difficult to get that position without that education (even if you do the job already!)

Even though I have two masters degrees, I still go for training and certification in specialized areas. I recently took a 3-day course that led to me being a Qualified Assisted Housing Manager. I develop affordable housing, and this certification not only taught me some things, but illustrates to my clients that I understand the management side as well as the development side (although I don't directly do the management side).

Now I'm going for a specialized environmental/sustainable design certification to put myself in a better position for future projects. It'll also help my networking.