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July 27, 2009
Develop a Social Network Dialogue
How do you start a conversation in a social network that helps you get the job information and referrals/introductions you need for your job search?
Focus on the further information you need that is essential to your career goal -- information you could not get through your online research.
Always have these two questions in the back of your mind as you form social networking relationships: What information does this particular contact person have that can be helpful for me? What information do I have that can be helpful to that person?
In other words, establish your social networking strategy first before you dive into a relationship-based campaign to find the job that's right for you.
Then, you're ready to work on the details.
On each social network you form, keep your bio and profile focused on key words which describe the job you're seeking and what you have to offer as a job candidate for that job.
Recognize that some social networks, such as Twitter, work just like e-mail. And, just like e-mail, social networks can overwhelm you. So, set up a separate, free e-mail account for each social network, using a keyword from your profile in your e-mail address.
Keep a file of your good outgoing messages and the helpful information you receive.
Start small. Listen to what others in your job sector are saying. Then, start a dialogue with three or four people -- maybe some of whom you already know either in person or online.
For starters, you can focus your conversation on an issue that is currently "hot" in your targeted job sector. Ask questions, such as: What do you think about this?
Does this bother anybody else?
Think about how to challenge a paradigm within your job sector to gain attention.
Then, gradually begin to ask questions that will provide answers you are seeking during your job search.
You might begin by asking reflective questions such as: What makes a company successful in your industry? Or, in your industry, what are the qualities that make people successful? Or, where do you see your industry heading?
You may want to ask about your field's problems and trends - questions such as: What problems do you see your industry encountering in the future? And, what kinds of actions are companies taking to solve those problems? And, how are these changes affecting your job?
You can then get more specific about your job search and ask questions such as: With my skills and background, what kinds of problems do you see me working on within your industry? And, what obstacles might I expect in obtaining a job within your industry and how could I overcome them? Or, if you were in my shoes, what would you suggest I do first, second, and third and for what reasons?
Your can even form a chat room in Twitter, for instance, based on your job search goal. Or, find an existing chat that fits your needs through twitterchat.com/ .
Try to connect with influential people within your targeted job sector and within your area through twittergrader.com .
Always keep in mind that you need to be helpful for others within a social network by asking appropriate questions and offering needed information. Provide solutions to people's problems, and they'll return the favor. It's what is now called relationship-based marketing.
Before the Internet, information/referral interviewing was the forerunner of online relationship-based job searches.
For a glimpse into how starting a conversation in a social network is similar to conducting an information/referral interview, go to "Managing the Information/referral Interview" .
This whole process is a very indirect way of gaining the job information you need and learning about jobs which are open but not always posted -- jobs which are right for you.
It takes time and effort. But, you don't need to leave your keyboard. And, it works.
What ways have you found to be most helpful in establishing a social network dialogue?
Add your comments to this posting
Posted by Liz Seger at July 27, 2009 06:20 PM
Comments
In my consultancy, it is an absolute to know personal information about an individual with whom you wish to develop a networking relationship. Having established the consultancy in April 2005, I now have approximately 100 strategic contacts in several industries routinely contacted for updates on a variety of topics.
For each individual, there is maintained a "Profile Card", synchronized between PDA and PC, which includes Contact Name, Job Title, Organization, Professional/Personal E-Mail, Telephone Numbers and Best Time to Call;Contact's Spouse name; Contact and Spouse Birthday; Wedding Anniversary (if applicable); Children, their ages and quick fact about their activities (school, extracurricular,etc) and any significant notes from previous E-Mail or Telephone Conversations.
To facilitate management of the "Contact List", it's on an Excel Spreadsheet. In this way, when making contact, the last date contacted, topic of last conversation can be readily accessed, using information as the starting point for updates. Aforementioned personalized information adds a personal touch to the conversation/communication, demonstrating focus on the individual and what's of meaning in his/her life. An Excel Spreadsheet is also useful as I can log the date of the last contact, insuring no one drops-off the list and, a schedule is maintained. It takes personal discipline to maintain an Excel Spreadsheet but, the benefits are the ultimate reward.
In fairness, this idea is not my own. During service on the U.S. Access Board, the benefits of the "Profile Card" was demonstrated by a colleague who remains a key player as a lobbeyist. Their "Profile Card" numbers are significant and, are a living document as individuals are always being added while a lesser number drop from the system.
Posted by: James J. Elekes, M.Ed, MPA, CPM at July 30, 2009 10:52 AM
I’m a book editor currently working at a traditional publisher. I’m afraid my present employer is not going to be in business much longer because it has not kept up with the drastic changes and challenges facing this particular job sector.
I wanted to get a job with a publisher which has a handle on the new realities of book publishing in terms of competing with audio books, eBooks, print-on-demand etc.
I needed to get more information than I’ve gleaned from my Internet research about which publishers today are preparing most effectively for the future of publishing.
So, I used Monitter.com to find Twitter conversations about publishing companies I think are the most progressive in this regard. After following these conversations, I gained a general idea of the issues involved.
I then used Tweetchat.com to find a chat for book publishers and joined it. We meet every Tuesday night at 8:00 p.m. EDT for an hour of live text chat. The first two weeks I didn’t say much -- mostly listened. Listening was the best thing I did.
It’s turned into something like a mastermind group, where we support each other and ask for (and give) advice.
I now feel comfortable asking questions about where specific individuals on this chat see the book industry heading and how specific companies are preparing for the future.
As things progress with this group in terms of trust etc., perhaps I’ll have the opportunity to ask for advice about how I can prepare myself as a book editor to survive (and thrive) during this time of transition within our industry.
I already have a good idea of which publishing companies I’d like to work for -- just by listening to the constructive dialogue we have had through this text chat.
Jane
Posted by: Anonymous at July 30, 2009 11:01 AM
Jane, interesting approach. You may wish to check and The latter has a comprehensive tabulation under each individual of news releases and other media where the individual's name has appeared and, linkedin profiles can put you into a social networking process which can be taylored to industry specific areas.
Google Profiles is also effective, allowing you to link your body of work to the profile and, eliminate any non-related material in the Google Search when keying-in your name.
Posted by: James J. Elekes, M.Ed, MPA, CPM at July 31, 2009 11:17 AM