Networking Skills to Outsmart your Competition

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“The thing that helped me most was the 10 second and 30 second speeches along with the role playing – what I do, what I do well and what I can do for you. You have to know it cold. Thanks again for your help.” – DW 

"Joe Connor is an elite level Career Coach! I have worked with Joe a number of years and have landed new jobs and enhanced my career after learning a huge amount from him and leveraging his expertise with resume writing, LinkedIn profile updating, networking tips, and interviewing and salary negotiation prep. I always learn something new working with Joe, including helping me measure my job search in real time when I’ve needed to make adjustments. I’m incredibly grateful to have Joe on my team." – MT

"It's often not what you know, but who you know – and then how to persuade them "

Heard this expression before?

I'm going to guess most likely.

Surprisingly then, when I speak with struggling job seekers for the first time, I often discover their networking efforts have been little to non-existent during their employment search. Does that surprise you, too?

The fact is simply emailing your resume in response to a job advertisement is “reactive” and only 50 percent of an effective job hunting strategy. I teach the other 50 percent – how to be successfully “proactive.” And to truly maximize your job hunt strategy, you have to be proactive – both online and offline.

So are you proactively outsmarting, out-searching and out-networking your competitors online and offline? 

A QUICK TEST USING THE 70/30 RULE

What's the best and quickest way to find a job? Networking!

In general, most job seekers should be spending 70% of their search networking and 30% of their time completing applying to opportunities online. Why 70/30? Because, historically, this mix results in a client getting hired fast than not. During COVID-19? More like 90%/10%. 

So how much time in your job search are you spending on networking? 70%? 90%? Most job seekers don't spend anywhere close to these numbers. And that's a proven, factual mistake!

IS ANY OF THE BELOW YOU RIGHT NOW?

Most or all of my job search strategy is focused primarily on applying to posted or advertised jobs.

I've sent a few emails out to people I know, but that's about it.

I'm seeking employment in an industry with only a limited number of jobs or none posted online.

WHAT IS NETWORKING AND WHY IT IS ESSENTIAL

I define networking as "a strategic, key skill in which a person educates and follows up with those in their network about a goal/s they are trying to achieve." In this case, landing a new job. Those persons are then persuaded to help you, the job seeker, in some way (a referral, an interview or advice).

WHY JOB SEEKERS HESITATE (OR HATE!) TO NETWORK

There is a false perception among many job seekers that networking is "selling" or "bugging people." Quite frankly, it is neither. 

In its simplest form, networking is educating. The job seeker is simply educating those in their network about their job search.

WHAT I DO BEST AND HOW I WILL HELP YOU VIA COACHING

What is coaching? It’s not therapy or fluff. It’s a process where I teach you essential skills, knowledge and experience you need to maximize your potential and achieve your goals. 

My career coaching services are 100% substantive and ‘skill-based,’ meaning that you will learn “how to” take action(s) using the skill(s) I teach you – just ask my clients! (testimonials at bottom and throughout this website and online). 

Here's how I will coach you how to proactively improve both your online and offline job hunt as follows:

No. 1 – Strategy Development

Before execution, we’ll first need a sound strategy – to differentiate you from your 

competition. Once a strategy is in place, I’ll then cater the coaching services to your specific strategy and needs. 

The specific skills you will need to learn will depend on your unique situation, needs and/or knowledge level that we'll determine during a free consultation. You can review specifics of those key skills you learn below (after "next step").

No. 2 – Execution

Once we've got a plan in place, you will execute and I will help you every step of the way.

HOW WE'LL WORK TOGETHER

In virtually all cases, coaching services are provided by telephone or video (like Zoom or Skype) via 30 or 60 minute sessions. 

For some clients, it will require only one coaching session. For others, it might be multiple sessions. Although each clients' circumstances are unique, in general, only one or two sessions are usually needed.

To learn the process of how you’ll achieve success, visit my Approach page to see how my Five-Step Core Model focused on Differentiation will serve as our foundation.

NEXT STEP

I provide a free telephone consultation. You can pick a specific day and time best for you based on my calendar: https://calendly.com/joeconnormarketing. 

Alternatively, you may call me anytime at 858-531-7128 or email me: joecsd@gmail.com. If not using the calendar, please let me know some specific day/time windows good for you. I am based in San Diego. If you are currently working and would like to speak before or after business hours, or on weekends, I am happy to accommodate. Just let me know. 

You may also email any other additional information such as your resume and/or link to your LinkedIn profile.

During this consultation, we'll briefly discuss your unique situation. I'll also share with you my rates based on your needs. My rates are considered moderate compared to my competitors (feel free to read my reviews that attest to this).

Want to talk to any of my clients? Contact me at 858-531-7128 or via email and I am happy to put you in touch.

You can also review more client testimonials on my Google, Yelp, or LinkedIn pages.

PROACTIVE JOB HUNTING SERVICES OVERVIEW

Below are some of the key skills you may learn (the specifics of which will depend on your unique situation, needs and/or knowledge level that we'll determine together):

Messaging:

Effective networking starts with effective messaging. I will teach you how to sell your value in 10 seconds or less, and how to do so using different forms of communication, including in person, over the telephone and via email.

Here's an easy example. If I said to you, "I am a resume writer," your mind might say, "well, ok, so that's what he does...but if I said "I write resumes that results in interviews," you'd know exactly what I do best and how help job seekers, right? See the difference?

Proactive Online Techniques:

The key stakeholders at the hiring organizations you are trying to persuade are most likely on LinkedIn, and quite possibly other platforms like Facebook and Twitter. Are you? And do you know how to proactively – and effectively – use these tools to appropriately connect directly with these key stakeholders? 

What about networking with your LinkedIn “connections,” which may include current or former colleagues? Recruiters? Decision makers at employment staffing agencies? Hiring managers? Other key influencers that may be in your inner circle as a result of your relationships with family; friends; friends of friends; or acquaintances?

I teach you how to use and take advantage of all the unique tools on LinkedIn and other social media sites to outsmart your competitors, including connecting with decision makers at hiring organizations, as well as recruiters and key personnel at staffing agencies. 

I also teach you how to maximize a keyword rich campaign on LinkedIn so recruiters land on your page.

Specifically, you will learn how to:

> Secure and leverage LinkedIn to identify and appropriately write hiring managers, recruiters or key personnel at staffing agencies via an introductory/pitch letter/email on LinkedIn and/or elsewhere; 

> Draft follow up letters/emails to key stakeholders that have been identified (above);

> Garner LinkedIn “recommendations” and “endorsements;”

> Participate in LinkedIn “groups” and secure more contacts.

You will also learn the following proactive online techniques:

> Time-saving, shortcuts to help maximize your time such as what keywords to enter in search engines to quickly find specific opportunities you may have missed and/or contact information of hiring managers.

Proactive Offline Techniques (off the Internet):

In addition to being proactive online, I teach you how to be proactive “offline” with key stakeholders. In the capacity, you will learn how to:

> Secure one-on-one “informational interviews” and what to say and ask questions during them;

> Network with decision makers at a business event, job fair or trade show and communicate your best skills via a simple 10 second and 30 second "elevator pitch;”

Also, you will learn how to:

> Follow up by telephone with hiring managers; recruiters; and key personnel at staffing agencies after you’ve established initial contact;

> Network effectively in an industry association/s and build and grow relationships with key influencers; 

> Leverage the importance of references during the interviewing process.

NETWORKING SKILLS CLIENT TESTIMONIALS 

“Hi Joe, I took your advice and did not post my resume. I selected companies in industries I liked. I sent it (the resume you wrote) to two companies and received interviews for both. Thanks so much.” – SL

“Joe has taught me how to use LinkedIn to connect with decision makers. Thank you so much, Joe, for your help! It was priceless.” – SD

"I have hired Joe multiple times over the years and relied on his knowledge and expertise. He has a strong broad-based knowledge of the job market, from what it takes for a resume to get interviews to sound advice on networking, cover letters, and answering specific challenging questions on applications. Joe asks a lot of questions to understand what your goals are and also provides valuable information regarding advancing your career. He has been a key resource for me during my career." – JR

“Joe’s succinct, straightforward approach delivers compelling information relevant to today's job market. His personalized attention and feedback were instrumental in empowering me in my career.” – MC

Want to talk to any of these clients? Contact me at 858-531-7128 or via joecsd@gmail.com and I will put you in touch.

You can also review more client testimonials on my Google, Yelp, or LinkedIn pages.