(Social) Networking and your (Social) Networking and your Career PlanCareer Plan

Tina WatsonTina Watson

http://http://www.linkedin.com/in/twatsonwww.linkedin.com/in/twatson

tinawatson@gmail.comtinawatson@gmail.com

Key Principal of NetworkingKey Principal of Networking

What can I do for you?What can I do for you?

(not “what can you do for me?”)(not “what can you do for me?”)

The HandshakeThe Handshake

Business CardsBusiness Cards

Free sites: Free sites:

www.vistaprint.comwww.vistaprint.com

www.marketsplash.comwww.marketsplash.com

Make your ownMake your own

www.avery.comwww.avery.com, paper from Staples, paper from Staples

EventsEvents

Attend 2-3/weekAttend 2-3/week

Choose a few that fit you to attend Choose a few that fit you to attend regularlyregularly

Make at least 2 new contacts at eachMake at least 2 new contacts at each

Notes on back of business cardsNotes on back of business cards

It takes at least 2-3 separate interactions for It takes at least 2-3 separate interactions for someone to be part of your network.someone to be part of your network.

Where to find events?Where to find events?

Spark newsletters - Spark newsletters - www.annarborusa.orgwww.annarborusa.org

GLITR (Great Lakes IT Report) calendar - GLITR (Great Lakes IT Report) calendar - http://www.wwj.com/pages/1665369.phphttp://www.wwj.com/pages/1665369.php

A2geeks.org – mailing listA2geeks.org – mailing list

Meetup groups – Meetup groups – www.meetup.comwww.meetup.com (e.g. (e.g. A2 Newtech meetup)A2 Newtech meetup)

ConnecTech – ConnecTech – www.connectech.orgwww.connectech.org

Good ‘newbie’ groupsGood ‘newbie’ groups

LA2M – Lunch Ann Arbor Marketing – LA2M – Lunch Ann Arbor Marketing – Wednesdays 11:45 Connor O’NeillsWednesdays 11:45 Connor O’Neills

A2B3 – Ann Arbor BiBimBop – Thursdays, A2B3 – Ann Arbor BiBimBop – Thursdays, 11:30 Eastern Accents11:30 Eastern Accents

These groups have some structure and These groups have some structure and pass-the-mike introductionspass-the-mike introductions

More networking placesMore networking places

PMI (free if unemployed) PMI (free if unemployed) http://pmi-hvc.orghttp://pmi-hvc.org//

Automation AlleyAutomation Alley

TechTown (TechTown (www.techtownwsu.orgwww.techtownwsu.org))

Michigan Council of Women In Michigan Council of Women In Technology (Technology (www.mcwt.orgwww.mcwt.org))

Women’s Exchange of Washtenaw Women’s Exchange of Washtenaw http://http://wxwbusiness.comwxwbusiness.com//

Linked InLinked In

RecruitersRecruiters

Include recruiters in your networkInclude recruiters in your networkEstablish a relationship directly with Establish a relationship directly with recruiters – check in with them periodicallyrecruiters – check in with them periodicallyEvery vendor has a set of firms they work Every vendor has a set of firms they work with – use more than onewith – use more than oneYou should not have to pay the recruiterYou should not have to pay the recruiter

Note: This is not a ‘recruiters’ market, but Note: This is not a ‘recruiters’ market, but they still have some opportunitiesthey still have some opportunities

Growing CompaniesGrowing Companies

Find companies that are growing and build Find companies that are growing and build connectionsconnections

www.concentratemedia.comwww.concentratemedia.comwww.metromode.comwww.metromode.comwww.modeldmedia.comwww.modeldmedia.comGLITRGLITR

Example: Finding a contactExample: Finding a contact

www.concentratemedia.com – Oct 2008

Example 2: Finding a contactExample 2: Finding a contact

www.concentratemedia.com – Oct 2008

Linked In – to do listLinked In – to do list

Create a profile – photo, job historyCreate a profile – photo, job historyCustomize your link (use it in your email Customize your link (use it in your email signature, business card, etc.)signature, business card, etc.)Add websites and customize the namesAdd websites and customize the namesRecommend someone (unsolicited Recommend someone (unsolicited recommendations feel great!)recommendations feel great!)Ask for a recommendationAsk for a recommendationJoin a group – start with college alumni Join a group – start with college alumni Answer a questionAnswer a questionSearch companiesSearch companiesResearch your interviewersResearch your interviewers

Facebook and TwitterFacebook and Twitter

Business/groups beginning to use facebookBusiness/groups beginning to use facebook- Fan PagesFan Pages- Different networksDifferent networks

Twitter use is growingTwitter use is growing- Reserve your nameReserve your name

Some ReferencesSome References

Facebook and Twitter and Blogs, OH MY! – Facebook and Twitter and Blogs, OH MY! – Word Factory Word Factory http://www.ttms.org/margotlester/DETROIT_Socihttp://www.ttms.org/margotlester/DETROIT_Social_Media_Packet_2.pdfal_Media_Packet_2.pdf

10 Ways to use Linked In – Guy Kawasaki10 Ways to use Linked In – Guy Kawasaki

http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2007/01/http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2007/01/ten_ways_to_use.htmlten_ways_to_use.html

TwitterTwitter

http://www.optimalwebworks.com/ - search on http://www.optimalwebworks.com/ - search on this site for 'Twitter Tools'this site for 'Twitter Tools'