So I have been attending various networking events around the tri-state area-events that specifically cater to senior IT executives.
I was a little apprehensive to attend functions like this because I really did not see the value for myself. Can a room full of other out-of-work IT executives provide any good leads? We are all looking for the same type of job. If anything, this is my competition. Why would anyone help the competition? But I digress….
People would come up to me and recite their resume – their elevator pitch. I have to be honest, I am not good with names and I am definitely not good remembering the intricacies of your last job. I am, however, good at remembering trivial details about a person. I think most people are good at that.
Here are a couple of points to consider when you are planning to attend a networking event:
1. What are you trying to get out of the event? Is it knowledge transfer, critique of you resume, making contacts? Go in with a game plan.
2. Don’t regurgitate your résumé to people. Honestly, the people I remembered the most were the ones that just talked about themselves, not the ones that spoke about managing a global ERP implementation. It makes it easier to remember you in a room full of other people that have also done ERP implementations. Know your audience.
3. Be yourself. Not your last job.
4. Be happy. You are in a room with other people out-of-work. It makes no sense to cry about your situation. Everyone is going through similar or worst ordeals in this economy.
5. Carry some business cards. Go to Kinkos (or FedEx Office – whatever they are calling themselves these days) and make 100 business cards for $30 and put your information on it and hand them out to people as you talk to them. A business card still goes a long way. Have fun with it be a little creative. And do not forget to add your LinkedIn profile address and blog.
I would like to hear stories from you about the networking events you attend and any tips you may have.
Happy networking…
Monday, May 18, 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
You are absolutely right because you never know where you are going to land and what cards life is going to deal you. One of those people you met way back when may be in a position to hire you down the road and vice versa. It's also a good way to size up the competition...so go in a listening mode, you might learn a thing or two.
ReplyDelete