Networking is an effective way to support your job search and career goals. To get the most out of your networking, understand your goals and create a plan to achieve them. By making a conscious decision to create and execute your networking plan you will see greater results.
First understand what results you want to get from your networking activities. Are you networking because you are in job search mode? Are you looking to build your network to expand your career horizons? Is your goal to identify strategic partners? Is your networking objective to find customers? By understanding what you want to get out of your networking activities, you can best determine where to spend your efforts.
Next determine where you will find the people you want to network with. Look for professional organizations, Chamber of Commerce, community groups, trade shows and educational events which would be of interest to your ideal networking contacts. Research these opportunities to understand the attendance levels and typical attendee. Determine the cost to attend the event including any membership dues.
Set a goal for the number of contacts you will meet during the event. By spending 5 to 7 minutes with each contact, you could plan to meet ten people in an hour. By the end of the event you will have a sample of the attendees. You can now determine if attending this event brought you closer to achieving your networking goals.
By creating a plan for your networking activities you will have a better chance to achieve your career and networking goals. Taking the time to plan your next networking activity may take more effort before the event though your networking results will be more rewarding.
Do you wonder how some people gain direction, focus and momentum in their job search? How do they stay so motivated? What are they doing differently than you are? According to the Wall Street Journal, those who use a career coach find their next job 15%-46% faster than those who do not. Here are five benefits you can receive by hiring a career coach. photo credit: opensourceway
1. Perspective: At times we can get so wrapped up in our day to day activities that we lose perspective. A coach will offer an outside opinion of how the world perceives you.
2. Assessment: Part of a coach’s job is to keep current on industries and trends. They can advise you on how your current skills align with today’s job market. They will help you learn more about yourself and your passion.
3. Goal Setting: You will define both tactical and strategic goals with your coach as well as a road map to achieve these. Together you will discuss your desired career path and lay out the plans to get you to your destination.
4. Motivation: Your coach is there to motivate you and inspire you to be your best. If you are not making progress, your coach will challenge you to be more effective. You’ll get a pat on the back when you deserve it.
5. Accountability: When you meet with your coach, you will review the progress you have made towards achieving your goals. The coach will ask you about road blocks you put in your own path and work with you to remove them or detour around them.
Do you ever get to the end of the day and wonder where all the time went? Are you stressed because the most important items on your to-do list did not get finished? This week several clients told me they just did not have enough time to complete their projects so we talked about “Big Rocks.”
Stephen R. Covey’s book First Things First
tells the story of how you can make the most of your day by prioritizing your activities. Covey says you can categorize activities into four groups.
Urgent & Important
Urgent & Unimportant
Not urgent & Important
Not urgent & Unimportant
This video summarizes his ideas.
Effective time management can reduce stress and improve productivity. Here are four ideas to get the most from your day.
Plan your day. Know what you want to accomplish and set your goals in writing.
Focus on the urgent and important items first. Do not let yourself get distracted.
Just say no! Turn down events and activities that do not add value to your life.
Plan for fun. Set aside time in your schedule to recharge your batteries. Reserve time to go for a walk, take in a movie, dinner with friends or curl up with a good book.
If you do not plan your day, someone else will plan it for you. Achieve your goals by creating a daily plan then work your plan.
Are your ready to put your career on the right track? Do you have a single career issue to resolve fast? The Wall Street Journal says people who work with a career coach land a job 15-46% faster. How much is it costing you to go it alone?
The Career Issues I Help With
Are any of these statements true for you?
* I don’t get enough interviews.
* I’d love to quit my job and try something new, but I don’t know where to start.
* I lost my job and am having trouble finding another at the same level.
* I’ve been passed over for a promotion.
* I’ve been looking for a job for so long I’m starting to wonder if I’ll ever get one. I’m doing everything right, and it’s not working.
* My company has restructured/been bought out and I’m having trouble adjusting.
* I hate going to work every day to the same crummy job when
* I know I can do better.
* I’d love to make more money and have more responsibility.
I get interviews but no offers.
I help my clients with all these career-related issues and more. Many see results in as few as 3 sessions with me. My focus is on helping you evaluate the job you want, find it, and pursue it in a focused and impactful way.
You are likely to be successful working with me if:
* You’ve tried a lot of free advice already
* You know your skills and your limitations
* You’re willing to do some research to find the best opportunities for you
* I don’t work with ex-convicts, or persons looking only for temporary or freelance positions
Coaching is an investment in yourself. Learn more. Call April 847-207-7412 or email April@cyberlifetutors.com to get started.
The parking lot at the gym was full this week. Every year we see the same situation. People make new years resolutions to go to the gym a number of times every week. By March the parking lot is back to normal as resolutions are broken. Like the story of the tortoise and the hare, I find small, consistent steps in the right direction get me to my destination.
Instead of setting resolutions, I develop long and short term goals for myself. My friend Wally says there are no big goals, some goals just take longer than others to accomplish. It is rewarding to achieve what I set out to accomplish, especially those long term goals.
I worked full time and had three children under ten years of age when I decided to earn my Bachelors and Masters degrees. For almost ten years I studied, graduating with high honors both times. I felt a great sense of accomplishment when I walked across the stage and accepted my diplomas.
My husband and I enjoyed dinner at our favorite sushi spot this week and reflected back over the last year. We reviewed our progress on individual goals and our family goals. We toasted our successes and made plans to complete goals in the works. Take time to reflect on where you want to be in January 2011 then make your plans to get there.
Do you get to the end of the week and wonder where the time went? Does Saturday sneak up on you before you know it? Don’t let the week slip by without accomplishing the most important goals you have for yourself. Here are six tips for staying focused on your goals.
Take a few moments each morning to organize your thoughts and plan your day. This does not have to be complicated. Take an envelope out of the recycling bin and write on the back side. Sit yourself in a comfortable and quite spot.
Know what is important to you. You will not be excited and motivated to accomplish what is only important to someone else. Take a few moments and sit down with a piece of paper and pen to write down your priorities.
Once you know what is important for you to accomplish, group the items on your list. Determine which of the items on your list are the “must do” today items, “should do” today and “would be nice to do” today.
Now rank order your list. Determine which of the items on your “must do” today list is the most important to complete. Then number the rest of the items in this group. This is your action list for the day.
Now, get it done. There is no time like the present to get started. Focus on the number one priority on your list and complete this goal. Then move on to the next item. Continue working through your list until you have accomplished your priorities
Repeat. Start each day by setting your intentions and knowing your direction. Spending a few minutes each day determining your priorities will set your day on the right course for being successful.
January is named for Janus, the Roman god associated with doors, beginnings and endings. This two faced being represents choices in our lives. One face reflects on the past while the other face looks forward toward the future.
Bust of Janus, Vatican Museum / Fubar Obfusco
The start of a new year is traditionally time to reflect on the accomplishments of the previous year and establish goals for the future. Our family started setting goals when our children were still in grade school. We sat at the kitchen table, each with a blank page of paper before us. We encouraged our children to be creative and dream big. My husband and I also set big goals for ourselves. The variety of my families goals surprised me. Some of their goals were loftier than others. They included:
- Skydiving
- Finish college
- Invent something
- Traveling to all 50 U.S. states
- Be in the Guinness Book of World Records
After each session, I typed and printed our goals then mounted them in picture frames. The frames are hung where we can see them every day.
Several times a year we take our goals off the wall and formally review our progress. We note the completed goals, make modifications or add new goals. New pages are printed and inserted in the frame. When we reflect on our progress, I’m delighted to see how many of these big goals we have accomplished. We have been doing this for 20 years.
My son did successfully jump out of a perfectly good airplane. I am happy to report he says he will NEVER do that again.
Where do you what to be next year? Start off reflecting on what you accomplished this year. Set 2010 goals for yourself. Read this post for more on creating an action plan.
Where will you be at the end of 2010? Are you ready to be more successful?
If you have no goals or action plans to get there, you will end the year in the same place you are at today. It takes planning, focus, execution and monitoring to accomplish your goals. The difference between a dream and a goal is action. Here are four steps you can use to transform your goals to your reality.
1. Clearly state your goal in writing. Be as specific as possible by including details. Use measurable terms so you can definitively say you have reached your milestone. What will it look like when you have achieved your goal? What will be different? How will you feel?
2. Define the steps you will take to reach your goal. List the big steps first and then fill in with smaller, intermediate tasks. The amount of detailed steps will vary by the size of your goal. Know what you need to complete this month, week and day to stay on track and accomplish your goal.
3. Execute your plan. A great pair of running shoes can help you run faster and lose weight but only if you put them on your feet and get moving. Work your plan by prioritizing your activities to ensure your goals for the day are completed as scheduled.
4. Monitor your progress. Life happens and sometimes things do not go as planned. Are you on track to meet your goals? Are you closer to success? Make any adjustments which are necessary to get back on track.
Follow these steps to get started on your path to success. There is no time like the present to get started. What are you waiting for?
Today’s post comes from guest blogger, my “Find Your Passion” co-author and Toastmaster Michelle Kabele. Michelle is a channel marketing expert and daily blogger. You can read more of her posts on her blog. Enjoy Michelle’s words of wisdom.
Michelle says:
When I’m coaching various folks I’m often reminded of some points that you may find useful.
Where do you see yourself in 3, 5, and 10 years?
Do you have a plan to reach your vision / goals?
Are you doing things that will help you achieve your plan?
The plan you have today – doesn’t last forever. You can change your plan as you discover new things.
You can do it – believe in yourself!
Sometimes people have a dream – something they wish they could do but either they are stuck or think they should have a plan but they are really settled and OK with where they are today.
If you are stuck, consider these things:
What are the things you like to do?
Are there people doing these things today?
Can you talk to them and find out how you can do something similar?
Can you try just one action / one thing that will let you sample something new without risk?
What actions can you take today?
What one thing can you do today to help you get started on your plan / your goals?
Can you read blogs of thought leaders who are involved in the area you want to be in? Can you start a blog?
Are there books you can read? Magazines? Websites? Where can you learn about your dream?
Can you volunteer? To gain experience in the area you want to be in / To meet others you can learn from / To develop your knowledge and contacts in your goal area / To learn if the goal is really what you want to do.
Are there classes you can take – adult weekend learning courses? Community College courses?
What strengths do you have that you can offer in exchange for learning / participating in areas that help you move in the direction of your plan / goal?
What will your life be like if you could achieve your plan / goal?
Finally -
Instead of watching a TV Show – invest 30 mins a day in yourself.
Consider what your life would be like if you could achieve your goals.
We invest roughly 2,050 hours a year (probably a lot more) working … to improve the cash position of someone else. That’s approximately 92,250 years during a 45 year career. And in the end – you can be downsized.
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Do you feel trapped in a life you hate? Wish you could pursue a more fulfilling career without sacrificing financial security? With my unique Coaching Process, you will learn how to find the more authentic you then transition smoothly and confidently from the life you’re stuck in to the future of your dreams.
Even if you’re not sure what your next chapter job is, I will help you tap into your passions and natural talents to discover the new you that was designed just for you. April offers both individual coaching and group coaching.
Find out more about how coaching can transform your life
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