"I have to Network - OMG!"

A life time of networking.....OMG!!!

I hardly ever hear any clients say "I can hardly wait to start networking.....it's so great and I'm really good at it!" In fact, never have I had a client say that! I'm talking about face-to-face networking...the kind where you have to make eye contact and conversation....usually in a room full of people you don't know, wearing a name tag that keeps falling off, trying to figure out what you did to deserve this torture....THAT kind of networking. Here are some trail tips to help you get started:

Decide before you attend an event what your goal is -

1. mingling and drinking


2. hanging out where everyone's eating


3. meeting as many people as you can


4. make three quality contacts

Decide what a quality contact is-

1. a very "connected" person


2. a person who is willing to make introductions for you


3. the first person who talks to you at an event


4. the best dressed person at the event

Topics to talk about-

1. what you want from them i.e leads


2. what they want from you i.e. leads


3. what you have in common


4. how you can help them

How do you introduce yourself?

1. "Hi, my name is Jan Marino and I'm was a CFO. I'm in transition and I'm looking for a new opportunity.


2. "Hi, I'm Jan Marino. I'm an executive in transition.


3. "Hi, I'm Jan Marino. I'm a CFO with successes in taxation, risk management and strategic planning.
   

What networking events will you attend?

1. as many as I can


2. the one nearest my house


3. an event suggested by someone I know and trust


4. the event that best fits my networking goals and strategy

Here's a few more tips from clients who are very successful networkers:

1. Enlist the help of an accountability partner
2. Practice at events when you first start
3. Be persistent and keep asking for feedback so you can improve
4. Remember to breathe
5. Write down and post what works best for you
   

Remember, networking is the ultimate contact game!

“I Am” Statement

This is one of the most important pieces of information you will use throughout your job search. The “I Am” statement tells people who you are, what your values are and what you can do for them in two simple sentences. You’ll use it when you introduce yourself, when you network, when you interview, in your bio, resume, in your Linkedin profile, for your Twitter profile…..basically whenever you talk about yourself. So, you want to spent time and get this statement down so it becomes part of you.

"I am an engineer who saved my last company $75K on one project. I could increase your cost savings."

"I am a marketing professional who knows how to increase brand awareness. I re-introduced a product line and increased sales by 25%."

"I am a senior marketing executive who has extensive corporate and non-profit experience including the auto industry, financial services and most recently the ABA.
I bring my corporate expertise for streamlining and pricing to non-profits."

"I am a data-driven marketing professional who has been both the CIO and CMO simultaneously for a global corporation. I could increase your RIO and provide your organization with cutting edge data management and marketing leadership."

You'll be surprised how this statement will help you clarify your goals and how often you'll use it. So, take time right now to write your "I Am" statement...if you want feedback or help let me know!

The Big 60

My birthday was November 2. I’m 60! It’s a milestone and great because:

 Partying with my 84 year old Mom on Rush Street and being proud of how well we party hardy isn’t surprising.

 Not having to do anything I don’t want to do or work with people I don’t like is liberating.

 Looking in the mirror and seeing a 20 year-old who’s reinventing herself is AB FAB.

 “Acting as if” and “making up as I go along” with even more conviction is way more fun.

 Deciding to work until I’m 87 is an easy decision.

 Giving back through volunteering and serving on the Board of Directors of the Community Career Center is even more fulfilling.

 Learning from all generations in the workplace is more fun than ever because I finally understand that we all can help each other.

 Embracing chaos is much easier than when I was 30….I understand it’s only temporary.

 Having fun with social networking and building my brand as THE Career Management Expert is easy.

 Trusting myself and my abilities and knowing that I’m surrounded by a great husband, family and friends pushes me forward fearlessly.

 Happy 60th to me!

I’m So Over Being “In Transition”

Vicki Znavor is an executive in "transition" who desires to make the most of this time by exploring and writing about people, process and performance and how they deliver bottom line performance. Vicki has graciously contributed this blog - Check out Vicki's blog - http://bottomlineperformance.blogspot.com...enjoy.
Tonight I was reading a biography of Kristin Chenoweth, most famous for her role as Galinda the Good Witch in Wicked and something she wrote struck me as fascinating. She wrote “Human beings – and let me just interject here that I love being part of a species whose name is a verb – human beings…” When I read those words I finally understood why I get irritated by the term “in transition”. It makes “transition” a noun and it really must be a verb. So today I claim that I am “transitioning” as in deliberately and thoughtfully moving forward.
Thinking of “transition” as a verb puts a whole new spin on it, doesn’t it? For me, it reinforces the goal of moving forward because where I am is temporary; it’s not a destination. It’s in my court to direct my destination and it means I’ve got work to do (and believe me, I’ve been working) to get there. None of us can control who will offer us a great position or when we’ll land but there are so many things we can control. Jan Marino’s blog offers a lot of great tips such as showing up everyday or being open to contract work. We can control our attitudes, our willingness to learn, our ability to encourage and support others and we can control the amount of energy we give to this effort.
Tony Robbins recently shared the following quote on Twitter: “There are two mistakes one can make along the road to truth…not going all the way, and not starting.” I am transitioning to my truth, moving forward and it feels good

Linkedin Trail Tips

An important element of your personal branding strategy is to keep your name in front of others. Here are a few tips on using Linkedin....it's a very powerful tool!

Complete your Linkedin® profile and use a professional photo.

Check Linkedin® daily – make it a habit, put it on your calendar.

Customize your public profile i.e. http://www.linkedin.com/in/janmarino and include it in your email signature

Keep your summary brief and interesting so people will read it.

Update your profile regularly – an update message goes to your connections and keeps you in front of them.

Let people know in advance that you will be sending them an invitation to connect with you on Linkedin®.

Change your “Tell Your Network What You’re Doing” info weekly to increase your visibility.

FLASH: New Career Rules

If you're in career transition, here's what you need to know: the rules have changed dramatically since the last time you were in the job market. Here’s what’s new:

The biggest change is that we are now a "gig-to-gig" workforce. Because of the state of the economy, companies are reducing costs by using contractors for projects. These assignments usually last 3-6 months. You may be looking for a full time position, but be open to contract work. The days of long-term employment with one organization are long gone and so is company loyalty. Today's workplace dictates that you are responsible for your own career so re-invent yourself.

The second concept to thoroughly understand is that you are the product/service and leveraging your uniqueness puts you ahead of your competition. Figure what sets you apart from others in your field. Know what makes you the best and capitalize on it.

Number three change is taking time to “chill out and recover” after the layoff is a really bad idea. Because competition is fierce, develop your search plan and hit the road running immediately. If you're lucky enough to receive outplacement services, take advantage of it.

The last major change is that networking is THE way you’ll find your new position and using online social networks in your job search is a must. Use Linkedin, Plaxo and Facebook to serve as your mini-websites. You can put together your marketing message and write your profiles around that message. Social networks expand your ability to connect with more people and increase your networking. They don't take the place of face-to-face meetings so working your network and setting up personal meetings is still critical. The good news is that people are very open to networking because they know they'll probably soon be part of this new workplace world.

Twitter twips

I'm addicted to Twitter. I know it can be a major time-suck, so I've been waiting until the end of the day and use social networking as a reward when I complete daily goals....and I cheat and tweet even when I haven't done everything on my list. Anyway, I've come across some great sites and wanted to share them with you. The list covers the gamut of ti
ps, how to's, and trivia. Enjoy!

www.twitterwatchdog.com/2009/06/16/creating-a-powerful-twitter-bio
www.alltop.com
http://www.chrisbrogan.com/
www.mentalfloss.com
www.twitterbusinessbook.com

"So, tell me....."

“Tell me something I don’t know”

This is a command MSNBC’s commentator Chris Matthews gives to his Sunday morning guests each week. I like it because the information coming back is not the usual spiel you hear from reporters everyday. It could be something under-reported i.e. President Obama’s phone call to Mark Buerhle after his perfect game.

This same technique can be used when you’re interviewing. The interviewer may know lots of information about you from your resume, handbill, LinkedIn, etc., but think about a piece of information, an accomplishment, an article you just read, an experience you’ve had that would inform the interviewer and help set you apart from other candidates.

So, “Tell me something I don’t know!”

Showing Up Everyday

I wish I'd gotten the email about "showing up everyday" years ago. As it was, I got it from a great manager who saw right through my daily BS. She took me aside and explained that work and life in general would be much happier for me and all around me if I'd show up everyday. What she was talking about was attitude, body language, voice tone, and a giving heart. I was one of those people who made sure everyone had a bad day if mine started out that way. My body language and tone of voice dared somebody to cross me...just once. Sometimes it was boyfriend problems, too much partying the before or just a nasty mood. However, I was a customer serice rep so feedback from customers and co-workers weren't glowing. So, I got fired. Looking back at this period of my career, I understand now that this was one of the best learning experiences of my career. I learned the world doesn't revolve around me and my problems and one but my dog wants to hear about them.

Topics in The High Gain Zone

Ok, I'm stepping up to the plate with some very compelling posts in the next 10 weeks. These topics are timely in today's market with must-know observations and practical trail tips:

1. "Showing Up Everyday"
2. "Tell Me Something I Don't Know"
3. "The Breakthrough"
4. "What Makes You Unique?"
5. "New Job Search Tools"
6. "Meditating and Your Job Search"
7. "Keeping Your Sanity During the Job Search"
8. "Take the Chaos Out of Your Career"
9. "What Your Dog Knows About Career Success"
10. "Redefine Yourself"

Thanks, Chuck!

I want to take this opportunity to thank my brother Chuck for reminding me that he’s following my blog and there haven’t been any updates lately. You’re right, Chuck. I’ve been lazy and put off writing…..I have to practice what I preach and change my procrastinating ways.

So, here’s what I’m going to do:

1. Make a list of 10 topics and list them on the blog by the end of next week.
2. Write at least 2 paragraphs on each topic and throw in some little known facts to keep it interesting – I can make them up if I want cuz it’s my blog.
3. Put due dates on my calendar and meet those dates.
4. Thank the Universe daily for my brother who keeps me focused and honest.

"Once Upon A Time...."

So, what’s your story? You’re in a career transition and networking…and it’s essential that you create your story:the information you give people when you first meet them. It’s also called your “elevator speech”; your “30-second commercial”….it’s a short statement about who you are and what your benefits are.

Here’s mine: “I’m a career management expert. I know how to survive and thrive career changes. I’ve been down-sized, right-sized, and had my position eliminated. Because I’ve made all the mistakes you can possibly think of, I know how to guide clients through change and reduce transition time by 50%.”

Start your story out with an “I am” statement and then focus on what makes you unique. Here are some questions to help you create your customized story.

 Why should someone be interested in you and your service or product?
 What makes you unique from your competitor?
 What can you tell the person that they don’t already know?
 What will you do for them and their company?
 How will you make them look better?
 How do you contribute to the greater good?
 Why should they trust you?

These are questions that go through your head when someone approaches you with their product or service. The same questioning process occurs when you interview for a job. Because you ARE the product, you want to have a concise, interesting explanation to answer these questions. This can be a real challenge for most of us because it feels like we’re bragging and promoting ourselves…..which we were taught not to do.

Here are 3 tips to help you create an interesting, concise, honest break through story:

1. Make a list of your top 3 career achievements. Prioritize them. This allows you to decide which achievement you want to highlight in your story.
2. Make sure that your achievements are measureable. Use action verbs like increased sales by a percentage or use actual dollar amounts.
3. Determine what you’ve learned in the course of your career that will help others. It could be leadership style, communication, team building, sales, etc.

Make your story memorable and interesting!

A Checkup from the Neck up

Stinkin’ thinkin’ kills! It zaps your energy, stunts your growth and makes you an all around dull, boring person. We all tell ourselves incredibly stupid lies about ourselves, especially when we’re stressed….like during a career transition. When you need to be at your best, you may find that you’re letting that peanut gallery in your brain take over. Your brain doesn’t know the difference between those lies and what’s real. So when you create negative thoughts and messages, it’s reality to you. When you tell yourself things like “I’m really not that good; “I was just lucky.”. “If they only knew how stupid I really am.” “I’ll never get what I really want.” – you’re re-enforcing negative thoughts about yourself. This thought process sabotages your confidence.

Here’s a few ways to change your “head trash” to “head treasures”

1. Create 2-3 positive statements and repeat them daily; i.e. “I am successful. “I am valued.” “My business is growing.”
2. Begin to act “as if” and project yourself as being confident and successful.
3. Avoid negative people and people who don’t believe in you.
4. Pay attention to your thought process and when you find yourself taking a negative turn, mentally stop the negative conversation.
5. Expect the best to happen. Be optimistic.

How does being positive benefit you? You achieve success faster and easier. You have more energy. You are happier and people want to help you. You have greater personal power and people respect you. Life is fun and you are a powerful, positive force in the world.

Our Own Rules For Cold Calls.

You're finally at the stage in your job search process where you've talked to all your personal contacts twice. You've reached your goal of getting at least three names from them to follow up with. You've also completed everything on your "things to do around the house" list and cleared the entire backyard for your a new garden..

But now you realize that you've put it off as long as you can and find yourself perilously close to stating to enter into the cold lonely, cave called the "cold call" zone. Anyone who's gone through a job search, knows this lonely place. You become paralyzed, dry mouthed, stuttery, dull, boring and generally uninteresting. You shuffle toward the phone, punch in the number and become, anything but the confident, focused, accomplished professional are you. Your mind starts racing, you're sweating, and wishing no one will answer.

Cold calling is even more dreaded than networking and rightly so. For some people, cold calling can be heart stopping. Any yet, cold calling is definitely a short cut to connecting with the people who can help you move forward toward your next position quickly. So, given that we know we're going to make these calls - let's set up some different rules for ourselves and because they're our rules, we can change them whenever we want. The only rule that's etched in stone is: Make The Cold Calls!!!

• Our Rule #1 - Stand up while making your phone call. Chances are good that the person you're calling will be sitting down, so standing up puts you in a place of power psychologically. Your voice delivery and confidence is enhanced. Believe that the person you're talking to interested in taking to you. Smile while you're talking and try not pace.


• Our Rule #2 - Know what your goal is for the call. Your goal is NOT to ask the CEO for job.... your goal is get a personal meeting i.e. take the CEO out for lunch and find out what challenges the company is facing. Research the company and get the latest news about new products, services, acquisitions, mergers, etc. Even better ask one of your contacts who knows the CEO to make an introduction for you. The CEO isn't expecting your call, so you have about 7 seconds to get their attention and want to listen to you.(For all you busy CEO's out there, please take at least one call cold a week. You could very well be on the other end of the line one day soon and hoping someone will take your call!)
  
• Our Rule #3 - Practice making these calls. Decide what you're doing to say i.e. "Hi, my name is Jan Marino and I was referred to Mr Ward by Dan Harris. Does he have a few minutes to talk to me? If you don't get through to the CEO be sure that you get the email so that you can send an email referring to your earlier call and asking for a meeting.


• Our Rule #4 - When you do get to meet with the CEO ( and you will) make sure you ask them "What keeps you up at night?" Make sure you follow up on the answer to see how you can help this poor person get some sleep!

Motivation....Sneaky & Elusive

Author & speaker Daniel Pink (http://www.danpink.com/) sent me a Tweet today about his latest project. He’s the author of “Free Agent Nation”, “Johnny Bunko” and "A Whole New Mind". He’s got a new book coming out in January. This time his focus is motivation. Anyone who’s ever been through a career transition knows how sneaky and elusive motivation can be. When we’re not getting interview, our networking sources seem to dry up….so does motivation.

Until Daniel's new book comes out here are some tips to keep yourself motivated and tide you over:

1. Write down your vision of what your ideal job is – what type of organziation is it. What products/services your company represents. What types of customers and co-workers you have. What you contribute and why it’s important. Put this vision somewhere where you can see it and read it daily. Reviewing your vision regularly helps keep you focused and open to opportunities.

2. Find an accountability partner. Someone you trust (not spouse or significant other-trust me on this) who will hold you accountable for doing what you say you’re going to do for your search. Meeting with you partner weekly for 30-45 mins and having a set agenda will help you keep moving forward

3. Get out of yourself. Give your time and talents to a cause or project you believe in. Volunteering two hours a week is a great motivator. It helps you to remember that you have talents and knowledge that people welcome and appreciate. It gives you purpose and you’re giving back so it’s a win-win.

4. Start blogging and sharing your experiences and knowledge. Blogs are free and easy to create and maintain. Once you’ve set your site up, send out emails to your contacts letting them know about it and asking for feedback/comments. Encourage them to recommend it to others. Blogging becomes a marketing tool for you and motivates you to share your expertise.

5. Create two affirmations for yourself: "I am successful!" "I am very good at my profession." "I deserve to be happy". Repeat these affirmations several times a day and post them on your bathroom mirror.

6. Set your networking sites high. Choose two people you want to meet i.e. the CEO of one of your target companies or the founder of a target company. Choose people who will help you in your job search. Then start asking EVERYONE you talk to if they know these people or could recommend someone you could talk to and get an introduction., This becomes a “mission” for you and you’ll be surprised at how small the world becomes.

"Just let me do this one thing....:"

CBS Sunday Morning had a great story on procrastination this week. The point of the piece was that the time you're using to procrastinate can be very productive. The most interesting and king of putting things off was Leonardo DaVinci. Rather than working on the projects Pope Leo had commissioned him to do he created his notebooks and made drawings of helicopters, tanks, solar powered machines, automated bobbins. I know I put stuff off that I don't want to do or am not in the mood to do.....like this posting tonight. Since starting it several hours ago, I've written my Mom a rambling email, sent out 5 brilliant Tweets, checked my three email boxes, Accepted four Linkedin invitations, watched an episode of "Bones", eaten a baked potato, let my dog out twice, filled the bird feeder, come up with a list of 18 topics for future blogs and discovered a new website: OpenZine. So I agree - procrastinating can be VERY productive!

NEW Job Search Rules

Searching for a new job? Here's what you need to know: the rules have changed dramatically since the last time you were in the job market. Here’s what’s new:

The biggest change is that we are now a "gig-to-gig" workforce. Because of the state of the economy, companies are reducing costs by using contractors for projects. These assignments usually last 3-6 months. You may be looking for a full time position, but be open to contract work. The days of long-term employment with one organization are long gone and so is company loyalty. Today's workplace dictates that you are responsible for your own career so re-invent yourself.

The second concept to thoroughly understand is that you are the product/service and leveraging your uniqueness puts you ahead of your competition. Figure what sets you apart from others in your field. Know what makes you the best and capitalize on it.

Number three change is taking time to “chill out and recover” after the layoff is a really bad idea. Because competition is fierce, develop your search plan and hit the road running immediately. If you're lucky enough to receive outplacement services, take advantage of it.

The last major change is that networking is THE way you’ll find your new position and using online social networks in your job search is a must. Use Linkedin, Plaxo and Facebook to serve as your mini-websites. You can put together your marketing message and write your profiles around that message. Social networks expand your ability to connect with more people and increase your networking. They don't take the place of face-to-face meetings so working your network and setting up personal meetings is still critical. The good news is that people are very open to networking because they know they'll probably soon be part of this new workplace world.

One good book

I believe we all have one good book in us and mine is "The Re-invention Chronicles". I want to chronicle how people successfully re-invent themselves and their careers. Re-inventors have learned how to read the workplace, spot trends, find a unique way to contribute and quickly make the changes needed to move forward.
Here's the kicker though.....I never got around to writing this book and had given up on it until today. I figured out how I could get these stories written....finally. For some reason, I called the local newspaper this afternoon and asked if they would be interested in stories about local residents going through career change and what they're learning. They are. I am. Stay tuned.

We deserve it!

I've been dancing around and "playing the part" of being an entrepreneur for a couple of years now. Committing....sorta. Believing I could do it.....sorta. Coaching clients to take the risk....sorta. Getting new clients, networking, but not really connecting. I came up with every excuse I could think of and they "sorta" worked. "I wasn't ready." "The market was too tight." "I didn't have a unique service."

Then, a couples of years ago I was having a conversation about my struggling business with a good friend. I was complaining about lack of success. My friend interrupted me and said "You don't really want to be successful, do you?" That comment woke me up and forced me to face the truth: I didn't think I DESERVED to be successful!

Admitting that my struggles weren't about being ready, the market or the product was hard. Admitting this was about my self worth and how I really saw myself was hard. However, it was well worth it! Once I gave myself permission to be successful - I am. Giving myself permission to take risks, charge what I'm worth (I'm not cheap), be the best and be the expert gets easier everyday.