Expectation #11: Enjoy the trip

A friend of mine went on a “boys’ trip” to Vegas last year. Instead of enjoying the company of friends, he spent the entire weekend mad about all the work he had waiting for him back at the office. Later, he admitted missing everything that should have been great about his vacation.

If you simply focus on being out of a job (or trying to land a job), you will miss out on the experiences that make networking so enriching. Think of it this way: at what other point in your life will you take this much time to meet so many people again? Certainly not when you’re working.

Expectation setting #11: Enjoy the people you meet, you may not get this chance again. …

Expectation #10: Climbing the 100 day wall

In networking (particularly networking to find a job), people tend to hit a “100 Day Wall”. After about three months, people get very frustrated with the lack of results. Many will jump into a contract or full-time role that’s lower than their skill level just so they get off the networking circuit. Others may just give up.

Most of these people started their networking from scratch or had limited networks. If you are in a similar situation, expect to hit that wall. But take heart, those 100 days are going to start to pay off soon, so just keep working the plan (see “Getting Started: Search Document Triple Threat”).

Expectation setting #10: If you hit the 100 day wall, use your networking plan to climb over it. …

Networking Purposefully: Getting What You Want While Networking

Want the inside scoop on how to get in front of the shakers and makers who will grant you access to the career you’ve been trained for, the career you so ardently want — and the salary you wish to earn? Then this video is for you.

Video highlights:

• Learn how to build the most important kind of connections – vested interest connections – and ensure those people will be champions for your career.
• Develop a successful networking meeting roadmap – the same one that is used by the world’s best networkers to get what they want.
• Understand how to uncover areas where you can add value to your networking contacts. This is one of the most critical skills to master when building a powerful professional network.

Expectation #9: Brevity is the soul of wit

For those that are not working (AKA “in transition”), it’s easy to forget that the people you are meeting with are very busy. Don’t compose long e-mails, expect immediate call backs or expect others to be on your clock.

Expectation setting #9: When you reach out to network, remember how busy others are and act accordingly. …

Expectation #8: No one but you will get it done

Here’s a wake up call: You must assume 100% control over your networking and job search. No one else is going to do it for you.

Expectation setting #8: You plan, you schedule, you meet, you take notes, you follow-up. Repeat. No wait, you repeat. Oh yeah, and you create a powerful network (and get a job)! …