Jobs & Money Detail
Networking in America
With careers, its so often the case of not what you know but who you know. Lana Clements goes in search of how to make networking in America work
So just how do you make contact with those elusive people in the US that could hold they key to your next job opportunity? It's hard to get ahead when the job you are searching for is in a completely different country, where you don't really know anyone and you're not too familiar with the way things work. Therefore, it is ever more important to fully take advantage of all available opportunities.
You need to meet the kind of people that can tell you about job opportunities, give you insightful advice and that can even put your name forward for certain jobs. So how do you go about meeting such 'contacts'? To be honest, if you're looking for a job in the US and you're not using the internet you are completely disadvantaged: it is a wealth of opportunities that ten-to-twenty years ago were not available. Through the internet you can connect and meet with people that are invaluable to your career.
Danielle Perry is director of public relations for career website Monster in North America. She says, "When networking in America or internationally, it is important to learn how to effectively utilise various online channels, such as career-oriented message boards and chat and blog spaces. This will allow you to connect with myriad people who might be able to assist you." In case this sounds like a foreign language, allow me to explain. First you have career websites. These can be very general or more specialised to particular sectors. They offer lots of useful information and often contain tips for job searching, interviews and CVs. The websites sometimes have forums, this is where members form an interactive community. If you have a problem or a question you can publicly post it in such forums or privately message people and ask them to help.
The most important thing here is to be assertive. Members may have public profiles where you can view their information and what they do. If you see someone that may be able to help you, don't be afraid to contact them. Americans are very career driven and as sharp as a knife when it comes to milking situations to their full potential. In order to stand a better chance you have to get into a similar frame of mind. Danielle says, "The professionals you will meet online have joined these networking sites for the same reasons you have to build professional relationships with others, so they are expecting to be contacted. It's a valuable way to make quality contacts and can be just as effective as cold calling a friend of a friend."
Blog spaces are slightly different: they are where people document various events in their life via the internet. Some websites contain links to career blogs or you can come across them through search engines or just browsing. Authors of blogs will always be open to meeting new people. Websites like Monster have functions that are specifically tailored for making contacts. Danielle explains: "Monster members can subscribe to our networking service, which allows them to find new contacts by searching for other members who have similar skills, occupations and/or educational background. They can also search for members who work at a particular company. Additionally, Monster's proprietary matching technology can proactively facilitate introductions between members based on common career interests and other information available in an individual's profile. "Each member is given a rating based on their overall contributions to the community, so other members can better determine who they should first reach out to. Also, through an automated process, Monster draws from members' saved network searches and sends them emails when a new member joins who might be a solid contact."
When contacting people remember that if someone offers to help you, they are doing you a favour, and are by no means obliged. Understand and act politely if people are busy, and always show that you are grateful. Danielle advises that you also "help yourself by helping others. Networking is reciprocal. What goes around inevitably comes around. When you help others, they're going to remember you when they hear of a great opportunity that might suit you." Those that network best are fantastic all-round communicators and always one step ahead of the game. Many contacts will come to nothing but you can learn of people able to help you in the most unexpected ways. Danielle says, "You should subscribe to periodicals based in the area you'd like to land a job in. Online and offline newspapers, magazines and newsletters will not only keep you updated on local activities, trends and issues, but a savvy reader can also often infer what industries and employers are in need of talent even when specific opportunities are not formally advertised. You can also sometimes glean the name of specific individuals who can influence hiring decisions."
The internet means that it is ridiculously easy to keep in contact with old friends. Through various social websites, you can check-up on what former best buddies are up, so why not sign up to a few? For all you know, the guy you used to sit next to in science could have married the boss of your dream company.
Of course, the internet is not the only way or place to help you with your networking in America. Ideally you should always have your ears and eyes open to meeting new people, or indeed finding out if the people you already know have any interesting contacts. It may sound slightly awkward but, ask yourself this: 'what have you got to lose?'
Mention to your friends and family that you are interested in networking in America in certain sectors, if they have a contact, no matter how weak, always follow it through even if they can't help you, they may know someone that can. Alumni organisations are a good networking tool, they are better used in the US but universities in Britain do have alumni associations and encourage former students to remain in contact. If you went to university, it is worth checking out the Alumni to see if anyone can help you. If you have made a good contact you should try and nurture and develop the relationship. If possible, arrange meetings anyway that you can, you could offer to buy them lunch as a thank you. Danielle says, "Prepare for face-to-face introductions. If your network has developed via the Internet it doesn't mean relationships should remain confined to the online realm. "Networking sites often connect people offline through individual meetings or group events. Just remember: a face-to-face meeting requires you to respond without the time afforded by email to craft your message. Be prepared and know what you want from a meeting particularly if it requires a great deal of travel."
Finally, put yourself out there! Be as accessible as possible and muster up your enthusiasm to sky-high levels. Americans are some of the most friendly and open people you will find, so act keen and they will usually be more than willing to help you.
For further information:
Monster
Quint Careers
ASAE Center
Career Builder
Career Directors
Networking in America in person
A networking trip to the US can be all-but essential in order to meet the contacts that will unlock the door to the American labour market. Besides such industry events as conventions and exhibitions, less formal settings such as the golf course or a bar or coffee shop can be happy hunting grounds for those in search of key contacts. But how do you make the best of these formal and informal opportunities? Peter Foye, who works for the National Association of Securities Dealers in Washington DC, gives the following advice on how he meets new people and makes professional contacts: "In my experience, successful networking depends on how well you can market yourself.
People will tell you that networking is the process of building relationships for the mutual benefit of all involved. Really, it's just playing the game. People are only interested in getting to know you if it benefits them. The key is to help them, while building a trusting relationship so that one day they might help you. "Be open to new learning experiences. I love learning new things, and not just in the finance industry. Whilst in DC, I met a group of lobbyists one night in the city. I just happened to sit next to them and began listening in on their conversation. I eventually joined in with a well placed joke about the poor service, something that everyone can relate to. "Half the battle is having the confidence to talk to a group of complete strangers. I spent the rest of the night listening and learning about what they do, but more importantly telling them (selling them really) what I do. "Once you gain the trust of an individual, try to meet some of their friends. You never know who someone else knows. "Ask open-ended questions in networking conversations. This means questions that ask who, what, where, when, and how as opposed to those that can be answered with a simple yes or no. This form of questioning opens up the discussion and shows people that you are interested in them.
Also, don't just ask questions to ask them, ask questions and really listen to the answers. "Never leave home without your business cards. You never know when and who you will meet someone useful. I was in Manhattan recently and decided to go out for a little snack and ended up meeting an executive from one of the biggest bulk bracket firms in the world. Luckily for me, there was a problem with the cash register and I got to speak with him for about ten minutes. You can't let these opportunities pass you by: ten minutes is long enough to say enough that he asked for my business card before he got to the front of the line. "After getting a business card you absolutely must stay in touch. If you let months upon months pass by without contacting the individual, they will know that you are not interested in building a lasting relationship. My recent trick is to write something on the back on their business card that will remind me of who they are. If in a week's time you can't remember who is emailing you or what they said when you spoke to them, you will have a problem."
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