Networking 101 tips as part of our Connector Program. For more information, visit halifaxpartnership.com

1. Building Professional Relationships in Halifax
And Beyond...
Denise DeLong, Project Manager
Connector Program
ddelong@halifaxpartnership.com

2. ALL NETWORKING is AWKWARD
Networking is like vegetables
You know they are good for you but
you still don’t eat them

3. WHY?

4. Rapport/Relationship Building &
The Slow Burn
People do business with those that they like
and trust
Professional friendships are the core of
any successful career or uncovering career
opportunities. More great careers are
launched through friendships and professional
referrals than great resumes.

5. And ALL the Surveys say…….
o Surest way to find a job
o #1 Search strategy
o HR loves it
o 65% to 85% success
o Unadvertised jobs

6. Keith Ferazzi
What is networking
Follow Up
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGCf7xoxy
L0&feature=channelContact into an ally
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGCf7xoxyL0
&feature=channel

7. Networking Self Assessment Quiz:
Here's a quiz that may help you take stock of your job search activity.
Answer True or False for each of the following ten statements:
o I am getting at least 2 desired job interviews per month. _____
o I am having lunch or coffee with at least 3 employed people each
month in order to expand my networking. _____
o I am confident in interviews and am asked back for second
interviews at least one-third of the time. ______
o I am spending less than 20% of my job search time on the Internet.
______
o I am devoting 50% of my job search time to networking with
employed people. ______

8. Networking Self Assessment Quiz Continued:
 I am following up with thank you notes, letters, and emails after
the majority of my meetings, lunches, and coffees. ______
 I am confident that my resume presents me very positively and
it clearly identifies my career objectives. ______
 I am emailing and calling targeted hiring authorities, following
up effectively, and getting meetings. _____
 I have a detailed, written marketing plan that defines my target
market, my unique value, and my desired goals. _____
 I have an overall strategy, I am proactively working my plan, and
I know what I need to accomplish each week. ______

9. Scoring:
Score 1 point for every "True" answer.
o 1-4, a long search of 9-15 months is likely
o 5-6, an average search of 7-9 months is likely
o 7-8, doing well and likely to land in 3-6 months
o 9-10, doing great and likely to land in 1-3 months
* Please note, if you have language challenges, then you have to
calculate that consideration into your time line.

10. Networking Opportunities
Structured Unstructured
o Scheduled one on one
meetings
o Career fairs
o Networking clubs
Chamber of Commerce
Fusion, Halifax Club
o Trade shows
o --------------
oRestaurants
oLibraries
oInternet Chat rooms
oParent groups
oPubs
o---------------
o---------------

11. Some “rules” to guide you
in conversation
o Don’t interrupt.
o Actively listen to
answer.
o Listen for purpose,
details and
conclusions.
o Determine what
wasn’t said?
o Think between
sentences.
o Think before you
respond, before
you talk!

12. Six Degrees of Separation (or is it 3?)

13. Your Turn
Your Task:
Find someone you don’t know.
Find three things you have in common based on
things you like to do.
For a bonus point, find one person you have in
common.

14. Start With
o Friends of family
o Neighbours (current
and former)
oFriends of friends and
their friends of their
friends
oEmployers (same)
oCo-workers
oSocial acquaintances
oDoctor, dentist, lawyer
oSchool networks
oReligious networks
oGym, sports
Family, etc. Friends

15. To get you started…

16. GOALS - Activity
S pecific
M easurable
A ttainable
R esults
T ime Limited
OBJECTIVE:
To + action verb + single key result + target
date
i.e. To introduce myself to 2 people from
Irving/Shell by the end of the evening
To set up a follow up meeting with one of
those people or HR counterpart by April 1
Now it’s your turn
-----------------------------------------------

17. Who are the four people you need added to
your network?
Include in your plan how you will make this happen and
a date!

18. The 20-30 second
pitch
What do you do? vs. What you are
interested in?

19. Personal qualities and attributes
Professional background
Current job or situation (with highlights)
Past job or situation (with highlights)
Skills
What do you want?
What can you talk about in
a 30-second summary?

20. My name is Sami and I have a background in property management. I run
a busy tent and trailer park that includes cottages. For several years I also
owned an apartment building in the town of Bedford. I am a positive,
proactive and motivated person. I’m looking for work in a similar
environment where I can use my skills and knowledge.
Sample Pitch - Sami

21. Sample Pitch – Xu
I’m Xu Ping. I studied Computer Science and worked in the IT
industry as a programmer in Shanghai. When I moved into
project management I decided I wanted to study global
management in Canada so I chose Mount Saint Vincent.
When I graduate I’d like to help start ups bid and implement
projects.

22. I am a _________________________.
I have worked/have been working as a
______________ for ____ years.
I have ____ years experience in
__________________.
I have ____ years experience as a
_______________.
I am a certified / qualified
____________________.
My main area of expertise is in
________________.
My primary responsibilities / main duties are
_________________.
My day usually involves _____________________.
I’m looking to do something in
________________.
I’m interested in working for
___________________.
My best skills are
___________________________.
What I really am interested in is
____________________
The area that I’m most excited about
these days is __________________
My studies are taking me in a new
direction so I’m working on
________________________
I’m hoping to complete/finish/ attain
_____________ so I
can_________________________
Template to help you with “pitch”.
Use some, not all!

23. How did you contribute to
your last organization?
Briefly summarize
Did you save them money?
Grow their business?
Increase efficiency?
Build new programs?
Improve service?
KEY: Summarize your Strengths

24. Your Turn
Get into pairs to talk through your pitch

25. Avoid being a networking jerk *
How not to network British Version*
The eye and the exit *
How to turn a Contact into an Ally

26. REVERSE NETWORKING
oMatt Whitman
oSasha and Isaac will demonstrate
oFind a different partner, and find out what
makes them special. Spend 2 minutes
exchanging information. Really listen.
oGet ready to practice

27. Fear Not The Cold Call
oExcept usually not
really cold
o Good networking
with a bit of
research will have
given you a referral!

28. o Monster has templates
o Refresh his/her memory
o SPELL CHECK, every single time…
SAMPLE:
I attended your Effective Merchandising Techniques presentation last Friday
and introduced myself to you following your lecture. Your speech was very
informative and your examples were extremely enlightening; I left with a
number of new ideas
o Now according to your goals, what will you ask for?______
Writing- Be Friendly and Professional

29. 1. Appeal for help
2. Showcase your strengths
3. Express your thanks
4. Be positive and upbeat
When you follow up Direct/Concise
is preferred

30. The best way to network is to have other people tell you about
what they do and how they do it.
How did you get started in the your business?
What do you enjoy most about your profession?
What separates you and your company from the competition?
What advice would you give someone who wants to work in
Global Management in Halifax?
What is the one thing you would do with your business if you
knew you could not fail?
10 questions from Endless Referrals
by Bob Burg

31. What significant changes have you seen take place in your
profession through the years?
What do you see the coming trends in the beauty and
fashion/ digital/ wind energy industry?
What ways have you found to be the most effective for
promoting your business?
What do you like best about what you do?
What one sentence would you like people to use in describing
the way you approach your career?
5 more sample questions

32. Volunteering Sit on a Board
Part time work Start your own group
Temporary work E-Networking
“Linked in”, “Facebook” etc.
Networking Alternatives

33. Thank you!
Denise DeLong
Acknowledgements: Emilie Coyle, Veronica Ennett, Caroline Lodge, Ellen Pilon, Shazia
Nawaz, Andrew Leverman
External Advice with Many Thanks: Robert Zed, David Osbourne/Predictive Success