Networking Tips

Be genuine. With networking, you get as much as you give. Make genuine connections and stay in touch – even when you don’t need something.

Be credible. If you’re counting on somebody recommending you for a position or offering you a job, act accordingly. Prove that you’re reliable.

Build a diverse network. Try to build a network with people from different industries who have diverse interests. Your network is a great opportunity to learn about your community.

Get involved. Volunteering for a local organization is a great way to display your work ethic and meet new people.

Follow up. It’s important to maintain connections and keep up with the people in your network. A quick email or message through social media goes a long way.

What is Networking?

Your network is made up of people you have connected with along the way – family, friends, previous employers, coworkers, community members, etc.  Knowing someone connected to a company you’re interested in can do wonders for your job search.  Your network can help you learn about jobs that may not be posted publicly (or outside of the company), or even help you find a job that doesn’t exist yet.  When you make small talk with an old neighbor, connect with fellow alumni on LinkedIn, or attend a community event, you are networking.  The people you connect and form relationships with can be a valuable asset, so don’t be afraid to use them as resources during your job search. And remember to get involved in your community by volunteering and attending your local chamber of commerce’s networking events.

12 Things You Wish You’d Known Before You Took the Job: Infographic

To view the original blog post and infographic on LifeHacker, visit: http://lifehacker.com/5994285/12-steps-you-should-take-before-you-accept-the-job-offer

Evaluating Job Offers

Here are some things you should consider when a potential employer presents you with a job offer:

Location

·         How much will your commuting expenses be?

·         Are you willing to relocate (if necessary)?

 

Values

·         Does the job match your personal values?

·         Will you be working holidays, weekends and/or a lot of overtime?

·         Will you be travelling and/or spending a lot of time away from your family?           

Advancement

·         Is there a potential for job growth and promotion?

·         Are you looking for a temporary or permanent position?

Benefits

·         How important are benefits for you?

·         Does the company offer benefits?

·         How much will your contribution to employee benefits cost?

Salary

·         Is the base salary enough to comfortably live off of?

·         Does the proposed salary fit your budgetary needs?

·         Is there an opportunity for pay increases or bonuses?

Recovering From a Bad Interview

Almost everyone experiences a bad interview at some point in their career.  If you are lucky enough to realize the interview has gone south while still in the midst of it, you have the opportunity to recollect your thoughts and take control of the situation. However, not everybody realizes where they went wrong until the interview is already over. If this happens to you, here are a few tips:

·         Don’t Overanalyze

It’s normal (and easy) to replay every detail of the interview in your head, but don’t beat yourself up! Chances are, most of the things you are agonizing over went completely unnoticed by the interviewer. Overanalyzing will make you start to feel like the interview went a lot worse than it actually did, so try not to obsess over the little things.

·         Send A Thank You Note Anyway

If your interview went poorly, it’s even more reason for you to follow-up with a thank you note or letter. Just remember, pointing out all of the things you think went wrong during the interview won’t make the situation better. In fact, you could point out something the interviewer didn’t even notice and make things worse. When you write your thank you note, keep it professional and thank the interviewer the same way you would have if the interview had gone well.