Michael Fisher, HDI2011 - Networking for the IT Professional and the IT Geek
1. Networking for the IT
Professional and the IT Geek
Michael Fisher
Molina Healthcare, Inc.
2. Michael Fisher
Molina Healthcare, Inc.
• 20+ years IT experience
Speaker Name
• Currently Supervisor of Desktop Support
Speaker Company
for Molina Healthcare in Long Beach, CA
• HDI Certified SupportBio
Brief Center Manager
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• President Orange County HDI Chapter
…and an avid amateur musician!
3. Why Network?
According to US Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2001:
• 5% of people get jobs through “open” job market (Print & online)
• Another 24% get jobs through “cold calling” companies
• The remaining 48% get jobs through referrals - NETWORKS
Speaker Name
According to BLS in 2010:
Speaker Company
• 40% of jobs filled are never advertised in public
• 30% of jobs are filled Brief Bio known to the employer
by someone
Insert Picture
How do these connections happen?
NETWORKING
4. Why am I here?
I learned about Networking the hard way.
• I am a longtime IT geek.
• I was more comfortable with e-contact than face-
to-face encounters.
• Networking was fuzzy and unfamiliar…
∴ It was to be avoided.
5. Why am I here?
I learned about Networking the hard way.
• I had an unexpected job loss in 2004.
• Started Networking from ZERO.
• Made lots of rookie Networking mistakes…
• …but I figured it out.
6. What is this “Network” thing?
Network (net-wərk), n. An interconnected
system of things or people.
But it’s used as a Verb, too…
7. Bad Noun-Verb Conversions
Architect (“I architected this site” )
Gift (“She gifted me” )
Regift (“I regifted that fruitcake” )
Dialogue (“We dialogued” )
Signature (“It’s a signatured baseball” )
And of course…
8. What is this “Network” thing?
Network (net-wərk), v. to cultivate people who
can be helpful to one professionally, esp. in finding
employment or moving to a higher position.
• Networking is about building relationships.
• It’s a verb, not a noun.
Networking is something you have to DO.
9. What is this “Networking” thing?
NETWORKING IS NOT ALWAYS COMFORTABLE
• We are Geeks. We are more comfortable with
devices and GUIs than with people.
• Networking takes you out of your comfort zone.
10. What Professional Networking Is
Networking is about making and building
connections with PEOPLE.
In Real Time.
It involves: Meeting people.
Calling people. Talking to people.
Connecting people. Remembering people.
HELPING PEOPLE.
11. The Secret to Networking
• Networking isn’t about “What can you
do for me?”
• It’s about “What can I do for you?”
12. What You Can Give
• Volunteer your time
Offer to help out at an event
Share information, advice and perspectives
Position yourself as a valued expert
• Positive Encouragement
Find out what they’re doing, and show your
interest
13. What You Can Give
• Expertise
You have a unique and valid POV
Share information, advice and perspectives
Position yourself as a valued expert
• Connections
As you build it, your network will become a
valuable commodity
Look for ways to connect people
This will make YOU a valuable resource
14. What Professional Networking Isn’t
• Surfing Websites
• Job Boards
• Selling a Service or Product
• Online Role-Playing Games
• Wasting time
• Partying
Networking is a focused activity.
15. Components of a Successful Professional
Network
• Online Components
• LinkedIn The
• Facebook Big
• Twitter 3
• Plaxo, Spoke, Ning, Naymz,
Foursquare, etc…
16. Components of a Successful Professional
Network
• Offline (In-Person) Components
• Professional Conferences
• HDI Local Chapter meetings
• ITSMF
• PMI
• Find other local groups!
17. 5 Networking Principles
• It’s not a One-Night Stand, it’s an Ongoing
Commitment
• Don’t wait until you need your network.
Start now.
• Seek In-Person contact before Online contact.
• “Help First, Ask Last.”
• If help is offered, Take It. (Graciously!)
“Nothing will bind someone to
you more firmly than if they have
given you assistance.”
18. How to Work a Room
• Check your attitude
• Redefine what it means to interact with “strangers”
• Prepare and practice your self-introduction
• Risk rejection – it’s not the end of the world
• Go introduce yourself and find out how you can
help!
Source: UC Berkeley Career Center
https://career.berkeley.edu/article/021011b.stm
19. ACTIVITY: Introduce Yourself!
In the next 5 minutes:
• Introduce yourself to someone you’ve never met
• Find out who they are and what they do
• Find a way you can be of help to them
Make a Connection!
20. How Do I Keep It Alive?
• Stay on People’s Radar.
Social Media can be useful for this.
• Offer to Help.
This makes you stand out.
• Invest Time.
Small gestures go a long way.
21. Pitfalls To Avoid
• Over-reliance on one channel
DANGER: ONLINE CATNIP FOR THE
GEEK!
• Not Listening
• Not Offering to Help
• Sales and Marketing
• Not being persistent about it
22. Tips To Employ
• Offer and Provide Help
• Volunteer to help at events
• Respond to requests for expertise
• Share your experience
23. Tips To Employ
• Have an Objective
• Set up Metrics
• “The 15 Slots”
• 15 meals per week - Breakfast, Lunch &
Dinner, Monday through Friday
• How many of those 15 slots are you filling
with Networking Opportunities?
Source: Joel Ordesky
http://www.exectec.us
@firqby
24. Tips To Employ
• Elevator Speech
• Business Cards
• Even if not employed – Business Cards
are cheap
• Include your LinkedIN URL and Twitter
username on your card
25. Go Do It!
Michael Fisher
michael.fisher@molinahealthcare.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelrfisher
@michaelrfisher
Thanks for your time!
26. Thank you for attending.
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