It's the Network

Breaking down what you need to know about networking when you're looking for a job
Networking. You hear the word everywhere. It's one of the most important aspects of job hunting, but it's also one of the most nebulous.

As anyone who has considered how best to go about networking will tell you, it raises a lot of questions. 

How do you network? Are there tried and true methods? Strategies? Or is it all just alley-cat charm and working a room? What is the line between networking and simply annoying?

For clarification, the idea of professional networking is making professional contacts who can help you in your career path or provide you with additional contacts who can. 

And truth be told, there isn't any 2+2=4 formula that can make you walk into a networking situation as a guru of the craft. A lot of it is in fact just practice, confidence and simply being yourself.

Though, that doesn't mean there aren't a couple of guideposts to light your way through the networking dark.

Here's a quick run through for those new to networking and those who need a reminder or two:

The Best Ingredients Get the Best Results
Only approach a networking situation with the best materials possible. Go over your resume and make sure it's completely clear of any typos. Get a business card for quick exchanging of contact info. And use it! Make sure you never leave the house or meet anyone that could make a difference in your career hunt without a business card on you.

Get a Focus, and Stay Focused
Sit down, and develop a list of people you want to meet, in industries of interest, and find a way to meet them. Don't be afraid to send an e-mail saying you respect them and would value their advice. Join local groups and trade organizations in the area. Or jump into the digital realm and connect with them on either Facebook or LinkedIn.

Take an Opportunity with Every Opportunity
Wherever and whenever you go, make sure to make a few contacts. Introduce yourself. Sitting on the sidelines is the opposite of getting in the game, so get over your fear and reservations. You never know when or where you could meet the person that could truly help you with getting a job. And as Wayne Gretzky once said, "You miss 100 percent of the shots you don't take."

Shut Up and Listen
There are some misconceptions about what it means to networking, and a lot of people think that it's a situation where they can take the opportunity to tell a contact as much as they can about themselves. Not. The. Case. Networking is actually more about listening than talking because at its core it's about connecting. Who ever likes a one-sided conversation? Take the time to listen and learn from whomever you're networking with.

Be Memory-able
Always commit to memory names of the people you're meeting. Is a little insulting if you have to keep asking during a meeting. A good trick of remembering names is looking at a person's eye color and associating the name with the color in your mind. Experts say that this 'color-word' association increases memory retention.

Don't Be Fooled into Thinking You're Fooling Anybody
People know when they're being networked. Don't think that you're tricky. But this doesn't mean that people don't want to help, it just means that you shouldn't try to be their best friend in the world. Be yourself and know the nature of the relationship.

Job Interview 101

Most people think they are pretty skilled at interviewing and pretty slick at answering questions. But, surprisingly, people still make really elementary and basic mistakes when it comes time to get in the interviewing hot seat.

So while a lot of this stuff might seem basic, we think it's necessary studying for the big job test. From handshakes to dressing up for an interview, we present this quick guide of 'Interviewing 101.' If you're a beginner, you'll need it; if you're a veteran job seeker, it'll still pay to review it.

There will be a test on this material at the end of the week. Oh come on, we're kidding...kind of.

Do Your Homework
Sure, it takes a bit of time and can be a little boring and kind of a pain. But you really, really need to go into an interview knowing what you're getting into, who the company is and what they do. Check websites, find previous press releases, run Google searches. Do whatever you can to really get to know a company. We're talking a half hour to 45 minutes MINIMUM for each job search. Before you go in, write down questions you could ask at the end of the interview and points of interest that you found out about the firm. Just don't whip out your crib sheet during the interview.

Come Prepared
Ever have to fill out one of those corporate templates online where you're copying and pasting all the information from your resume into Internet fields? Yeah, those are about as fun to fill out as they are for interviewers to read once they're printed out. Always bring an extended, more comprehensive copy of your resume with you into an interview. In fact, bring at least four copies in case there's more than one interviewer. If you have a portfolio, clips or any other documentation that you feel would help land you the job, bring those too. Just make sure you have something to put them in that looks professional, and leave the bike messenger bag at home. Speaking of looking professional...

Dress for Success
Looking the part of a professional isn't as simple as it sounds. There's a lot of nuance to it: sometimes you can overdress, you can underdress, you can dress in a way that doesn't fit into a company culture. It seems cut and dry, but there are actually a good deal of opportunities for failure. When going over the arrangements for the interview, don't be afraid to ask a couple questions about dress code. It might feel a little silly, but you'll feel a lot sillier when you walk into an interview not looking like everyone else. For men and women, the rules for dressing are essentially the same. Sure, you want to look good, but consider that you don't want to look too good. You're going to a job interview not the club. Dress conservatively, with commonplace colors like blue and gray. A light spritz of perfume and cologne is fine, but don't go nuts. And if you're a smoker, try to hold out until after the interview.

Shake It
From fistbumps to high fives and all sorts of crazy interactions, the importance of the handshake has been going the way of the fedora of the '50s. And that's not a good thing. Because when you first meet someone, there's no more literal of a first impression than a handshake. Some tips: be firm, not loose, but don't go crazy; always shake with the right; don't flail your arms up and down like a bridge in an earthquake; and be firm, this bears repeating.

Get a Plan, and Remember: Enthusiasm and Attitude Are Everything
Identify the type of interviewer you are interviewing with because there's a lot of different types. Are they aggressive? Are they casual? Are they all business? Tailor your responses and yourself to their personality. Try to take queues from them and try to match it. And know what's important to the interviewer; pick up on the type of questions they're focusing on. But know that there are a few universal rules. For instance, usually one of the primary reasons an employer wants to hire you is because of longevity. Emphasize that you want to work there and you want to be there for awhile. Ask about promotion opportunities and areas of growth. But most of all, pay attention to that first part and really emphasize that you want to work there. Really get enthusiastic about it. Employers want to hire someone who really wants the position.

Be Prepared for the Tough Questions, Both Answering Them and Asking Them
We've covered the topic of how to answer the tough interview questions before, and the truth is, there are a lot of sites and articles all around the Internet that will try to tell you the most common questions and the best way to answer them. But like any important test, no matter how much you try, you're never going to 100 percent know what questions are going to be asked and won't be able to know how to answer them with any type of exactitude. But similarly, studying and preparing goes a long way. If you've paid attention and did your homework beforehand, just be yourself and roll with the punches. While these articles can be really helpful in giving you an idea of what to expect, the most important thing is not to use any canned answers. Instead give answers that are informed, classy and professional. If they ask your biggest professional weakness, really consider your biggest professional weakness. But while honesty is a great policy, make sure you frame the truth properly. Too much honesty could be really, really damaging. The same rules hold true for the questions you ask at the end of the interview, which are often more telling than the answers you give. If you know your stuff, you're going to be fine.

Relax
Know that any type of interview jitter is completely normal and everyone has experienced the same feelings of nervousness before. The interviewer is going to expect you to be a little nervous. Knowing and understanding that is important because you'll only be less nervous the less nervous you are about your nervousness. 

Sometimes It's Not the Answer, but the Question That Makes the Difference in a Job Interview

In a job interview, you're going to get asked some difficult questions. You know this; you've probably prepared for this.

But what you might not be priming for is the questions you're given the opportunity to ask at the end of an interview. Oftentimes, this is a chance to show your interest in the position, your ability to show you're educated on the firm and your future ideas about what this position might mean to you. In short, there's a lot of potential for taking the interview to the next level and adding a personal touch for you to be remembered.

Here's some advice on the type of questions you want to ask to start getting the employer to start asking positive questions about you:

Are there opportunities for advancement and promotion? 
This type of question shows that you are ambitious and driven, and it illustrates that you feel you have a future with the firm and will be there for awhile.

What do you think I bring to the company? 
This is a question that you can really turn to your advantage and one where listening is key. Pick up on what they think you can do for them and then emphasize that in a response. 

What is the general atmosphere and environment of the company like? 
Unlike the other questions, this is more for your benefit. It will give you a better idea if the position and the company is what you want out of a job. Sometimes, even if it's a good job, if it's not a fit for you, you'll be happier in the long run walking away.

What will my primary responsibilities be? 
This will give you an actual, clear picture of what the job will entail rather than generalizations of what they need, which is what employers put in advertisements and postings.

When will you expect a decision to be made? 
This just helps give you peace of mind and eliminates the inevitable wondering that comes after an interview. Not to mention, it gives you an idea of when you can engage in a follow-up if you haven't heard anything without being a pest.

Sidestep the Common Unemployment Obstacles

With a new year here, it's time for a fresh start. But when you're unemployed, it's hard to elevate your motivation and keep your momentum going, especially for those who have been unemployed for an extended period of time. Make sure you don't fall into these common traps of unemployment.

1. Not Jumping on Your First Offer
So it isn't everything you hoped for. OK, fine. But if there's opportunity for growth and there are challenges to engage in, then it should be considered with a good deal of thought. Not simply dismissed.

2. Jumping on Your First Offer
Yeah, it contradicts the first tip, but they're just two sides to the same coin. If you know in your heart and mind that a position isn't right for you, doesn't challenge you in any way and is devoid of any sort of personal growth, then just walk away. Walk away.


3. Not Being Open to Relocation
You probably like the place you live and have your entire life there. That's why it's called 'living' somewhere. But if your job search hasn't yielded much in the way of interviews, opportunities or offers, then it might be time to consider packing it up and heading to a place that offers more opportunities and is witnessing industry growth.

4. Not Taking Advantage of Your Friends
OK, that sounds bad, but it's true! So many people are afraid to reach out to their friends and the people they know for contacts, introductions or information, even when their friends offer up help! Anyone will tell you, networking is perhaps the most common way people end up in the positions they end up in. And the truth is, people like helping people, so don't be coy and put your pride away and take people up on the offer - every offer.

5. Feeling Sorry for Yourself
Being unemployed can suck. It really, really can. But what good is moping around and acting sullen doing for anyone? It's not good for you, and it's certainly not good for those around you. Take it day by day. Positivity can be an exercise and an effort just like anything else. At first, it has to be consciously willed. Given some time, it just starts to happen naturally, without effort.

6. Holding out for an Unrealistic Income
Times are tough right now, and incomes aren't going to be what they were for similar positions in the past. You have to weigh the reality of what is happening with what your desired salary and benefits are. If you do get an offer, consider it a two-step move: you get to work in a new environment and still keep your resume in circulation.

7. Not Facing and Embracing Change
Even in 10 years, a lot has changed, and the job market is no exception. Some jobs have disappeared; some jobs have exploded. Seriously consider transitioning into a different field or industry where you think your skill set can add value. A lot of times, new industries don't have enough people to fill the positions they have or don't know what they need, simply because they're new.

8. Forgetting About Yourself 
You have the time, don't forget about taking care of numero uno: you. Attitude and physical fitness go hand in hand. Setting some time aside to exercise will make you feel a whole lot better in the long run. It'll build your confidence, you'll look better and you'll feel better too. Like anything, it's just falling into the routine. Force yourself at first, and soon, it'll just be part of your day. And don't forget, attitude is directly connected to success.

9. Displaying a Bad Mood
A bad mood is just going to alienate those around you and put you deeper and deeper into a funk. Use other outlets for your anger. Run, draw, play music, work out. Do something to let all those negative feelings and frustrations out.

10. Succumbing to Financial Pressure
Sometimes, there's nothing more stressful than the stress that comes along with financial problems. But the trick is not letting that stress to overwhelm your ambition and job search. If times are hard, you might have to borrow or get a temporary, part-time job. Do what you have to.