"I don't have time to network"

When chatting about the values of networking and the fun in reticulating it is amazing how many people claim they don't have the time. The truth be known many don't want to make the time and blame it on "No time".

None of us actually have time for anything, we make time for what we deem necessary or really want to do. Just reflect back on your life and you will notice some tasks you used to do you no longer do and on the other end some items you currently undertake you never did before.

So then! What is the value of this task of "networking (reticulating)"? Is it a waste of time and superfluous in real life? Will you really gain anything from it?

First off, you've always networked. Just never called it that. Second of all most humans like human contact and networking is a great platform that encourages human contact. Cultivating all these allows us to GIVE, not always take, have fun, meet people and thereby learn something. The affiliations, connections and friends we make are mere residual effects of good networking.

So! Go out and spread the wealth and remember "The secret to success in life is for a man to be ready for his opportunity when it comes." B. Disraeli

"What Do I Want to do When I Grow Up?"

This is probably the most asked question/statement made when it comes to people trying to either get back into their next job or opportunity. It even happens to folks while they are working and find they are unhappy in their current position.

In listening to this constant statement/question, several observations, by me, come forward. In over 15 years between 30 and 50 percent of attendees will make the statement that they "...aren't sure what they really want to do".

First we have so many more options and opportunities than ever before. The books tell us today's grad will have at least seven distinct careers and who knows how many employers. No doubt that technology has a lot to do with this. Everyday it all happens faster. Software is obsolete as soon as we download it, computers are cheaper and faster the day after we buy one. Products often go down in price in time due mainly to competition. I just refilled my business card supply after a year and paid less for the exact same product from the same company.

Whereas this is frightening to many, we should look at the opportunities. For one you don't have to worry about being bored in your job. Every time to move onto another opportunity you gain new knowledge, friends and business associates which in turn expands your network. This is cause to be involved with On Web networking such as LinkedIn.

Should you find yourself saying "What Do I Want to do When I Grow Up?" do not fret. Just go out and increase your reticulation, talk with people and learn something new.

Networking or Netweaving

Networking or netweaving is far more than reticulating. Richard Garber introduced a term he found of "netweaving". However one refers to or says building a base of others to integrate into your sphere we need to do it.

We've been networking since we were small children. We had our friends, family, neighbors or school mates. Once we reached high school we had a sphere of friends and classmates. Sometimes those were cliques. We then moved into college, families, and/or work. Our methods of acquiring these connections or friends vary.

The point is we've always done it. Yet when someone mentions the thought of networking now many tend to shiver, look the other way, and even feign to not understand what it really is. The best solution I can think of is get out there and have fun, meet people, and learn something. You'll find you have a lot of knowledge for many other folks.

The Value of Websites and Blogs

Recently another person mentioned me in their blog. We tracked it and in less than three days the search engines had found it. As you traverse through this part of your life you need to give weighted thought to your own website and blog. Why you ask? Because it allows you to be seen and heard. More and more hiring managers will search you out on line before your meeting. With the advent of blogging the way marketing is being done will change form.

You Can't Handle it All !!!

The opportunity market is hot. Employers everywhere are searching for people. The employer isn't sure where to look and those looking for their next opportunity are scratching their heads wondering where are all these positions.

They are everywhere folks. Get out of the house and start attending events where there are people. Job Fairs, Chambers of Commerce, Business shows, Trade Associations, Recognative events, Business luncheons, Training seminars, Sporting events, Wine and cheese shows, and the list goes on.

I'd love to see some suggestions from you out there, even if it is one idea. Go ahead and click on comment and add one.

A caveat for you, be careful when listening to the news or reading it because they must make headlines and the economy doesn't make the same kind of news as someone laying off folks. Having watched this for over 15 years now I have found companies have been laying off all the time so what you see now is nothing new.

Have a great day...Have fun, Meet people and Learn something.

Confidence

Confidence= Trust or faith in a person or thing.

Your ability to sound, look and feel confident is paramount to your next opportunity. The definition above is short yet sums up what I want to stress. The person in this case is you!

All of your schooling, degrees and past work experiences are great, yet if you don't speak, or in this case interview with confidence you may find someone else has taken your coveted slot.

Communication with confidence doesn't mean sounding arrogant or pompous, it is more sounding passionate about your topic. Have you ever had a teacher, motivational speaker, minister, or coach speak in a manner that motivated you to do something? Did they sound like they knew what they were talking about? Were they passionate?

You will find hiring managers are impressed by someone that not only has the technical skills but also knows what they are doing and likes it. Self confidence is definitely a character trait you should seek to emulate.

Attitude

Attitude=A state of mind or a feeling; disposition
That is one, of numerous definitions, for attitude. How does attitude affect your job search?

In many ways actually. Having the proper attitude is probably the single most important element of moving on to your next opportunity. The ironic part of this is when your attitude changes you'll find everything else changing.

This reminds me of two stories: When my son was about to come home on his first leave after boot camp, in the Marine Corp., he was reminded by his Drill Sargent that when they got home they'd be noticing how everyone was different. When in all reality it was them that had changed.
Number two is when I teach a safe driving class we talk of frustrations. Normally the first frustrations discussed are cell phone drivers, trucks, and people doing stupid and/or dangerous maneuvers on the roads. Having watched the roads for years and paying even closer attention now, due to the class, I have found that the majority of folks drive decently and that includes trucks. We get extremely frustrated when someone cuts in front of us, or tailgates etc. As humans we seem to remember those and not all the courteous drivers. Pretty soon we find ourselves thinking all drivers are dangerous, stupid and rude.
The flip side is I pay attention to good deeds and don't dwell on the irritating ones, rather I use the acronym FIDO, forget it and drive on, to relieve stress. Since I won't be able to correct the miscreants and rude drivers there is no reason to stress over it. By looking at the positive side I find my attitude has changed. Now that my attitude has changed it sometimes seems as if others have changed too, on the road.

Over the years some folks have stopped by the group and shared the same fact, they found things began to changed when they changed. Ergo the idea of Having fun, Meeting people and Learning something, when we change so does everyone else.