Why Networking Conferences are Worth the Time - Your Career Intel

Why Networking Conferences are Worth the Time - Your Career IntelFrom email to social media, many of our daily professional interactions have been reduced to brief digital transactions making in-person face time at networking conferences is incredibly valuable for career growth. Of course, a conference is only as valuable as you make it. You could attend a different conference every week but if you spoke to the same two people every time, you wont expand your contact kusine or learn anything new.As an HR executive recruiter, I know that the power of an organization lies with its people. This same principle applies to your professional success the power of your career lies with your network. Networking conferences are 100% worth your time as long as you bring intentionality and purpose to your attendance. Heres how1. Pick the right conference.Conferences are a dime a dozen these days how do you know which ones to attend? Start by evaluating where you are in your career. If youre just starting out or looking to transition to a new industry, say yes to as many networking opportunities as possible. You never know where your next opportunity could come from.As your career matures, you can be more selective about which events to attend. A good rule of thumb is to balance your bonding capital and bridging capital. Bonding capital refers to relationships based on commonalities (bonds) these are typically relationships with co-workers and industry peers. Bridging capital refers to relationships built across differences, like disparate industries or professional skill sets. While narrow networks are easier to build, theyre also dangerous. A narrow network makes you prone to groupthink and less likely to consider alternative best practices. Worse, when a downturn comes, everyone in your network may be affected and you could find yourself with limited options. When deciding on which conference to attend, dont discount those from outside your industry. Theyre essential to b uilding your bridging capital.2. platzset clear goals.Before you arrive at the conference, ask yourself, Why am I going? Your answer may depend on the type of event youre attending, where you are in your career, and who else will be attending the event. Be as specific as possible. I want to meet new people is pretty vague after all, you meet new people each day What type of people are you interested in meeting?For example, if youre in a schlussverkauf position, are you interested in making new sales contacts or strengthening your relationship with vendors? If youre a consultant, are you looking to connect with a prospective mentor, find new clients, or strengthen your relationship with industry peers? Theres no right answer. What matters most is that youve carefully thought through your different motivating factors so you can invest your time at the conference appropriately.3. Plan your time.Once youve set clear conference goals, make a game plan that aligns with these goals. For ex ample, if youre attending the conference to learn more about different solutions to improve process flow, prioritize attending breakout sessions related to this issues. If possible, review the list of attendees and speakers in advance and identify which individuals would be most helpful to meet. Prepare questions to ask at breakout sessions and keep a few conversation topics in mind to keep your conversations focused. You dont have to stick to a minute-by-minute plan, but keeping a general plan in mind will help you stay focused on the events that matter most.Throughout my career, Ive been lucky to attend excellent conferences like SHRM, which have introduced me to future mentors and coworkers, challenged my assumptions about industry trends, and helped me grow professionally.Which conferences have been most valuable for you to attend? I invite you to share your favorite conferences in the comments below.

How to Write an Elevator Pitch for Job Search Networking

How to Write an Elevator Pitch for Job Search Networking Posted on July 16, 2018November 16, 2018 by Sarah Landrum The job hunt involves online searches, applications, and editing your resume and cover letter, but the search shouldnt end tzu siche. Developing your skills and networking are also vital partes of a successful job search strategy.While attending an event might make you squirm with anxiety, it offers a prime opportunity to build your network and your job search confidence and possibly an invitation to interview or share your portfolio. Thats why you should have your networking elevator pitch at the ready. Here are a few tips for building, perfecting, and owning your 30- to 60-second spotlight.What is an elevator pitch?Imagine walking into an elevator with the owner of your dream company. You have limited time to position yourself as invaluable to them thats why its called an elevator pitch.You must snag the attention and interest of a prospective employer, taking only 3 0 to 60 seconds to express your intent, skills, and unique attributes. Your goal is to convince this employer that you can solve one of their problems or otherwise contribute to their success with authenticity, expertise, and confidence.Making a belastunging, positive, and professional impression in this way shows you respect the employers time and responsibilities. Plus, youre mora likely to stand out and secure an interview for the position you covet.Think of an elevator pitch as a snapshot of your professional self and what you do. Its mora than a summary, and you shouldnt say it in a monotone voice like a bio listing publication credits. Whether you just graduated or are a seasoned professional, you possess accomplishments that reveal what you can offer in your next position.What goes into a successful elevator pitch?Opportunities to share your elevator pitch start with simple conversation or a handshake. The spotlight is on you once youve piqued their interest. Know the purpose behind your pitch, and build it by explaining who you are and what you do. Gain attention with a question or statement. Communicate your unique selling point and your goal. Leave with a card or meeting. Those are the elements of building a networking elevator pitch, but its easier said than done. Heres a breakdown of each part in further detail.1. An elevator pitch includes intentAs with a casual conversation, professional conversations center on connection. The difference is that youre doing the talking with the elevator pitch, and your intent must come through clearly. Its more than, I want a job at your company.Thats your goal. Knowing your goal matters, but what is the intent behind it? Whats at stake? This will guide your pitch creation.2. Who are you? What do you do?Briefly but cohesively explain who you are and what you do, but make sure you do so with excitement. If youre bored, theyre bored.Above all, be authentic.3. Hook them with your elevator pitchWho is your audience? What information, fact, or detail would interest them? What interests you? Hook them with a statement or question. Work it into your pitch. What sets you apart is an intrinsic part of your hook, which leads into your unique selling point (USP).4. Get in your USP ASAPAs soon as you hook them, dont hold back Go right for your unique selling point. Your USP communicates what makes you different and how you offer skills that solve a pain point that is unobtainable from any other resource. Your hook should flow right into your USP, but be careful with the conversation flow if you ask a question.5.If you pose a question, listenAn elevator pitch doesnt mean you drone on and on about yourself. If you pose a question as a part of your hook, be prepared to listen and actively respond to what the other person says. Its bad manners to pose a question without expecting a response and launch into the rest of your pitch. At that point, you might as well be selling snake oil.Actively listen. Create conversation. Your pitch becomes part of an intriguing and engaging conversation.6. Make Opportunities for Future ConnectionDepending on who you speak with and how the elevator pitch goes, consider how you will close. Youre not closing a deal. Youre making opportunities for future connection. Trade business cards or name cards. Ask for an opportunity to follow up.How to write an elevator pitchIdeally, your pitch should run about 30 seconds long, and your longest elevator pitch should only go for a minute. Thats a short amount of time to make an impression, but thats what it takes when competing against a large number of people.That said, youll start with much more content and switch the details around like putting a puzzle together. Youll find pieces work in certain discussions that dont work in others, and it may take trial and error to find what works best for you. Make friends with flexibility, and variate your pitch depending on the different people you meet.Your pitch isnt a s ummary of your resume remain relevant to keep them interested, and you wont be the one asking for a business card. Give them something to remember you by but dont ramble and dont push too hard. Be sure to prepare in advance, such as checking out who will be speaking, gleaning the event schedule, and arriving early to get acquainted with the environment.Jot down ideas as they come to you and piste on to your notes. Index cards are helpful, and you can move them around. You can also use an index card app to organize your pitch for effective storytelling with the options right at your fingertips.Practice with a friend over coffee, slipping in bits of your pitch into the conversation. Youll soon become a networking ninja with the ability to naturally and authentically variate and introduce your pitch into a talk even about the weather. Its important to utilize your pitch in this fashion because youre competing with others, and theyre all around you.Elevator Pitch ExampleNext time you find yourself on a 10-floor elevator ride with a leader you admire, dont let your nerves get the best of you. Remember these tips, and try something like thisHi, their name, I recognize you from place of employment and admire something specific about their work Im your name, a recently relocated teacher from town four hours from the closest big city.Im moving on from an incredibly rewarding but one of the toughest teaching assignments in my career. After the school district consistently placed in the lowest percentile for the last decade, I was brought in to help. The students didnt lack intelligence they needed resources Imagine outdated textbooks, a barren library with slow internet and an abysmal student to computer ratio in this age.So, I gathered concerned teachers and parents and petitioned the local government. We built a new computer lab, put computers in the library and updated textbooks. The dropout rate is now down, the students are scoring over 20% higher, and I aim t o bring that same enthusiasm and dedication to my next teaching role. Its amazing where we find ourselves. Id love to talk more specifically about those students and your school.Of course, this is just one example. Tailor it to suit your situation and skills, and the employer will hopefully offer you an interview or at least encourage you to apply for an open position within the company.Remember, lead with the essential information, stay authentic and go for the close and keep in mind that your goal is to create an opportunity for a future connection. Your perfected elevator pitch can help you make those connections and hopefully land you a great new job.Not quite ready for the face-to-face? Get started onlineThe Only Way Recruiters Will Find You on LinkedInLinkedIn Profile Writing GuideHow to Use LinkedIn to Find a Job A Great Profile is Not EnoughAdditional networking tipsHow to Create a Networking ResumeNetworking Your Way to a New JobMillennial career expert Sarah Landrum is th e founder of Punched Clocks, a career blog focused on helping you find happiness in life and at work. For more advice from Sarah, subscribe to her newsletter and follow her on social media SarahLandrum.Facebook Commentswpdevar_comment_1 span,wpdevar_comment_1 iframewidth100% important

Why Everybody Is Talking About Writing a Cover Letter to a Resume and What You Should be Doing

Why Everybody Is Talking About Writing a Cover Letter to a Resume and What You Should be Doing The Basic Facts of Writing a Cover Letter to a Resume The cover letter doesnt need to be long either, each paragraph only should be a few sentences to find the point across. Always ensure there arent any writing errors on the shape and that you take an opportunity to proofread it. While it is necessary to be as detailed as possible, many individuals make the error of writing a lengthy resume. Its tough to discuss the basics of a resume or profile since there are several techniques to approach writing one. Even if youre handing the resume to a contact at the prospective employer, odds are that the document will nonetheless wind up in an ATS. You may use the cover letter to assist you fill in any gaps of information or maybe to highlight your accomplishments. By following some information, somebody may locate an online resume builders that may make sure they place the information tha t must be on their resume. Not only are you going to find information, youll also discover that there are many resources that is likely to make the resume writing process considerably easier and mora enjoyable. Writing a Cover Letter to a Resume - Dead or Alive? Identify volunteer and freelance activities linked to your intended field to check your interest e.g. if youre thinking about publishing for a career, try editing the PTA newsletter. So write when you ought to be writing, and edit when you ought to be editing. If you want more time to see through interviews, request a couple of days to decide. Tools to compose a resume and to aid you receive a job Writing a good resume isnt easy if you dont have the correct instruments to achieve it. Definitions of Writing a Cover Letter to a Resume Granted, recent graduates do leid have a lot of work experience, but they have plenty of education. Before you choose, its important to choose the opportunity to assess your present situa tion, to explore career choices, to choose if your career needs making over, and to select a career which will be more satisfying for you. Make certain your resume is easy to read with no complications. Youre basically utilizing the resume to sell yourself to the employer in a sense which makes them want to have a good look at you and what you need to offer their company. If you own a profile you have not updated at the exact time, you must take action to update it once possible. A resume or profile is not any different. It is a good idea to search online from time to time to learn what appears below your name. What You Dont Know About Writing a Cover Letter to a Resume You might not need a level to do the job however, youll definitely need it to find the job. Just as youve got to discipline yourself to rewriting your application materials, you must decide on the number of positions youre asking for a day. So, locating a job is a job, it requires time, efforts and unfortun ately, you still need to have experience and a great resume. Therell be recessions where it is not possible to find work.