As you can probably tell from reading my blog, I love lists. Top 10 These. Absolute 5 Thats. Well, I recently came across a fantastic list of 10 Everyday Super Foods, described by WebMD as “multitaskers,” such as nuts, blueberries and salmon, that are packed with multiple nutrients to help you stay healthy, promote wellness and weight control and taste good, too.

This got me thinking: What are the “Everyday Super Foods” for career success? What people, practices, tools and habits give you the biggest bang for your buck? Here is my list, and I hope you’ll share more “Career Super Foods” in the Comments.

1. Daily Goals. We often talk about annual goals or life goals, but successful people set — and achieve — small goals all the time (we sometimes call them priorities or to-do lists). Especially when you have a big goal — such as getting a new job, writing a book or launching a business — set small, daily goals that will keep you moving forward. Big goals are important, but small goals get the job done.

2. News. One of the most popular tips in my book, Getting from College to Career, is to read a newspaper every single day. Whether you read the headlines on your laptop, your phone, in an e-newsletter or a printed copy of the paper, it’s crucial that you keep up with world news, national news and the news of the particular industry you want to join. We live in the Information Age, so the most informed people are the ones who are most likely to succeed.

Read the rest of this post on my “College to Career” blog at MyPath.com…

TAGS: career advice, Job hunting, Job Search, Networking

A few days ago I received an email from a colleague who serves with me on a nonprofit board.

“Does anyone know where I can get Mets/Yankees tickets?”

I knew (Stubhub.com!), so I responded right away.

Later that day I was desperately trying to remember the name of a website I’d recently heard about where you can find out which social media sites have your username available. After racking my brain, I decided to tweet the question. Within three minutes, I had the answer (www.namechk.com).

On another occasion recently, I was trying to make a decision about hiring a branding expert. After researching all over the web and feeling more confused and frustrated than ever, I decided to reach out to three business owners I trusted and ask for their opinions and referrals. Their advice was invaluable and I was finally able to make my decision.

All of these situations reminded me of the most important career growth tip you can learn:

Ask for help when you need it.

Read the rest of this post on my “College to Career” blog at MyPath.com…

TAGS: asking for help, career advice, Networking

I recently attended the annual conference of the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), the largest organization for university career services professionals and entry-level recruiters. As someone who frequently talks about the powers of social media for connecting, this conference was a reminder that LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook are only half the networking story.

At the NACE conference, I had the pleasure of meeting people in person whom I had previously only communicated with online or by phone. While I had good relationships with many of the people I knew virtually, something changes when you connect in person, waiting in an interminable Starbucks line together or sitting side-by-side on a bus to an offsite conference event. More trust is shared, relationships become a little deeper and stronger bonds are forged.

The secret to successful networking in the 21st Century is what my friend Diane Danielson, with whom I co-wrote The Savvy Gal’s Guide to Online Networking, calls a “clicks and mix” approach: equal parts online and in-person networking.

Read the rest of this post on my “College to Career” blog at MyPath.com…

TAGS: career advice, Networking, Social Media

I’ve had a couple experiences recently that reminded me just how wrong networking can go.  The situations below are related to business development but the same principles apply to networking for jobs or career advice or  for any other purpose.

Situation #1: A woman to whom I was introduced at an event a few weeks ago by a mutual acquaintance followed up with an email suggesting a follow-up meeting. Her client base overlaps with mine so it seemed as though we might be able to help one another. So far, so good. We agreed to a date, place and time and she promised to confirm the day before. She didn’t, so I did. I arrived at the meeting place on time. She emailed three minutes before we were scheduled to meet that she was delayed ─ she finally arrived twenty minutes later. It was clear from the questions she asked that she had done no homework to understand what it is that I do. The last straw was when she asked me if I had ever met the woman who had introduced us at the event! The chances that I would even consider referring my clients to her evaporated – what would make me think she would treat them any differently than she treated me?

Situation #2: Another woman I met briefly at a different event (let’s call her Laura) is a money manager. She told me she often hires speakers for events she holds for her clients. Laura followed up by asking a colleague of hers (let’s call her Gail) to schedule a lunch meeting for the three of us to discuss a possible speaking engagement. Gail and I agreed to a date but then she called to reschedule it because Laura wasn’t available ─ twice! The long postponed meeting day finally arrived; Gail called that morning to explain that while Laura would not be able to join us, another person in the group was available and that I would enjoy meeting her. While the food and ambiance at lunch was lovely, the conversation was strained. Why? It became clear early on that the purpose of the lunch was for them to solicit my business. I abhor a “bait and switch” maneuver. On top of that, the newcomer had no social skills whatsoever!

As the cliché goes, “You only get one chance to make a good first impression.” Some suggestions to make your networking successful:

• Plan carefully
  Set the meeting for a day and time you will be able to show up unless a true emergency unfolds. Don’t try to fit a meeting into a week that’s already filled with important deadlines. And get there on time ─ not doing so sends a message about how you prioritize the relationship.

• Be prepared
  Learn as much as you can about the person with whom you are meeting. Figure out how you might be able to help him or her. Also think about ways he/she may be able to help you.

• Be honest
  All the way along. About everything.

As for me, I have decided to just say “no” to follow up meetings!

TAGS: follow-up, LinkedIn, Networking

First, a quick shout-out to our new bloggers from Frito-Lay.  It was a pleasure meeting you at the WIN Women’s Leadership Conference last week! 

WHEN YOU NEED A RELATIONSHIP IT’S TOO LATE TO BUILD IT.  You’ve heard me say this dozens of times in this blog, in my books, during interviews, and on the keynote platform.  If ever there was a time for you to take these words to heart, the time is now. 

A very clever client shared how she’s staying connected during this difficult economy.  She knows that this is not the time to make a job change, but there will come a time when she’s ready to make a move and wants people to keep her in mind.  Here are a few of the strategies she’s following:

• Continue to meet colleagues for breakfast, lunch, or a cup of coffee.   It’s easy to say nothing’s happening on the job front, but don’t be lulled into complacency.  Maintain the relationships you have and seek to build new ones. 
• Ask how you can be of help to others — not vice versa.  My client wants to be known as a valuable resource.  Down the road this  will parlay into having collected enough “chips” to entitle her to ask for a favor when it’s most needed. 
• Be a broker of relationships.  Connect people who might be able to help one another or who share areas of professional commonality.
• Circulate information — articles, websites, conferences, etc. The caveat is to do it judiciously.  No one needs more e-mail to wade through, but if you know someone has a specific interest in a topic send the link to them. 
• Volunteer for community assignments.  If your company is active in the community, being a representative for it gives you more visibility, hence the opportunity to build more relationships.
• Help to keep your professional association alive.  Many wonderful organizations are struggling to stay afloat because membership is dwindling.  Don’t just attend meetings, serve on a committee to increase membership or raise the association’s profile. 
• Stay in touch with colleagues who leave your company.  You don’t have to invite them to Thanksgiving dinner, but forwarding a job posting to someone who’s been laid off or picking up the phone to see how someone is doing who took a separation package enables you to maintain your professional network.

Most important, is that you do these things with a generous spirit, authentically, and not just because you hope to get something out of it.  Give more than you ever expect to get back.

TAGS: building relationships, Job Search, Networking, strategic networking

It’s no secret that I love networking and encourage it. I think building and maintaining relationships is one of the most important keys to success in our careers and our lives.

However…

There is a dark side to networking, such as people who want to take rather than share or those who are just plain unpleasant. Here are a few of the irritating types I’ve come across in my career travels. I’m curious to know if you’ve met some of these, and how you’ve handled them…

The Copycat. This type is usually well-meaning and friendly, but asks for the keys to your career castle. In my case, as a writer and speaker, the Copycat is a stranger who emails me out of the blue asking for my advice on getting writing gigs for the magazines I write for and speaking gigs at the places where I speak. I wholeheartedly believe in abundance-that there is enough work and success to go around-but am I going to give you my business plan and Rolodex so you can directly compete with me? Um…no.

The Overasker. There are many connections I’m happy to share freely, such as a trustworthy real estate lawyer or a hairstylist who understands curls. And then there are connections that are unique and uniquely important to me, which I only share with my most trusted inner circle.  In my case, this includes someone like my literary agent. For other people, it may mean a CEO mentor or a celebrity they know from high school. The Overasker doesn’t appreciate the special nature of such VIP relationships and asks for a connection to anyone and everyone. “I heard you went to college with Rupert Murdoch’s son and once sat on a dais next to Hillary Clinton. Can you give me their numbers?” is asking too much. The Overasker needs to learn that some networking relationships must be earned.

The Dr. Jekyll. This type is rare, but pretty shocking if you come across her (or him). She is someone who has complained about your company or an event that you hosted in the past, and is now asking for a favor. In my case, the Dr. Jekyll came in the form of a woman who wrote a review of my book that included a lot of criticisms. The same day (!) she emailed to ask me for help with a personal project she was working on. Although I was kind of impressed by her chutzpah, I certainly didn’t have any desire to network with her. It’s a well-known maxim that people want to do business with people they like, and the same definitely goes for networking.

So, watch out for those Copycats, Overaskers and Dr. Jekyll as you go about your networking. And thank you for letting me get those grievances off my chest!

This post originally appeared on The Women’s DISH.

TAGS: Networking

In a bad economy, college students and recent grads need to try everything they can to land a job or internship. One often-overlooked resource is the world of professional associations.

These organizations exist to support, educate and provide resources for professionals in a particular industry or profession. Some are really small and others are as huge as corporations. Some are full of young members and others could use some fresh faces. Some are super active and some only meet occasionally. This means you have to do your research (check out the American Society of Association Executives, the professional association for associations) and ask your professors which associations they think are worthwhile. Note that professional association memberships can be expensive, so always ask for student or young professional rates when you join.

What can a professional association do for you? Here are some suggestions:

“Professionalization” of your resume. Membership in a professional association is a seal of approval in many fields. It shows that you understand the importance of professional networking and you’re an invested member of the career field you’d like to join. Membership also allows you to “graduate” from looking like a student on your resume to looking like a professional (think of the different message it sends to list membership in the Undergraduate Human Resources Club at your school versus membership in the Society for Human Resource Management, the leading association in that field).

Easier networking. It can be weird and scary to reach out to strangers and ask for help with your job search. As a member of a professional association, that difficulty is eased through events where networking is actively encouraged. Many associations also offer formal mentoring programs, LinkedIn groups, Facebook pages, listservs and job boards to facilitate member networking.

Will established professional association members want to network with students and recent grads? According to Certified Association Executive Matthew D’Uva, the answer is an emphatic yes. “Fellow association members are usually happy to help students in their ranks, says D’Uva, who is president of SOCAP (Society of Consumer Affairs Professionals) International. “I encourage proactivity. If you know what you want to do, call the organization and say, ‘I’ve just joined and I’d like to find a mentor or volunteer to serve on a committee.’ Lots of organizations also have membership directories. If you use the directory to reach out to someone, identify yourself as a fellow member and have clear questions. I would not directly job hunt that way, but if you legitimately want to learn more about the profession and do informational interviews, people will be happy to offer some advice. Use the organization name as a way to open a door.”

Increased industry knowledge. One of my biggest recommendations to job seekers is to learn as much as you can about the industries and companies you want to join. Professional associations can help you do this. They provide access to exclusive industry publications, databases of company information, news about legislative issues affecting the field and salary studies that help you discover the compensation and benefits you might expect from certain jobs. When you join an association, be sure to subscribe to all of its online and offline publications and news alerts to be fully informed.

Opportunities to find your passion. If you’re not yet sure what industry or profession you want to join, you can still get value from association membership. Try joining (or just reading the websites of) a few organizations in fields that interest you. This will give you a chance to learn more about the field, attend a few events, meet some people and discover if that particular industry might be a good choice for you.

Relocation opportunities. According to D’Uva, another value of associations is the exposure to people beyond your local area. “We have members who represent companies from across the country and around the world,” he says. “This allows you to develop networks for wherever you might be interested in moving.”

Job opportunities in the association world. Don’t forget about opportunities to work for a professional association-they are a big employer segment in every state across the country. Association management is “a very underreported profession,” says D’Uva, who recommends the field to recent college grads. “I think it’s a really great place for someone just out of college. You’re not pigeonholed to do one thing. A lot of associations are run by relatively small staffs, so as an entry-level person you have the opportunity to be exposed to a wide variety of tasks, and your responsibilities can grow exponentially. You are involved in discussions with an industry’s thought leaders and you are the person that is working to execute and put into reality the aspirations of that group. It is a very rich and rewarding career.”

To learn more about professional associations and jobs in the association world, check out www.asaecenter.org.

A version of this blog post originally appeared on the Lindsey Pollak Career Blog.

TAGS: ASAE, Job hunting, Job Search, Networking

It’s no secret that I love to network. But, after a fabulous event or conference, even I have faced that pit-of-the-stomach feeling when I look at the business cards I’ve collected. I wonder, “How am I going to follow up with these people? Will I be bothering them if I call? Will email seem too impersonal? Is it presumptuous to friend them on Facebook?” So stressful!

Perhaps you’ve had the same concerns.

Over the years I’ve developed a plan to take the guess work out of follow-up. It’s super simple and works every time. When I meet someone I’d like to connect with again, I simply say, “I’ve really enjoyed meeting you, and I’d like to keep in touch. What’s the best method to reach you?”

This gives your networking contact the options to:

a) Politely blow you off by saying something like, “That’s really nice, but I’m quite  busy right now. I enjoyed meeting you too and hopefully we’ll run into each other again.” (Translation: I’m just not that into you.)

b) Tell you his or her preferred contact method.

If the answer is b (and it usually is if you’ve read the situation correctly), once you know where you stand and how to communicate, the rest is easy. Follow up exactly as instructed, and your fabulous contact will be eagerly expecting your communication.

TAGS: Networking

If you walked around midtown Manhattan this past summer, you might have seen the financial executive, in his late 40s, who paraded around in a sandwich board declaring “Experienced MIT Grad for Hire” and handing out copies of his resume.

A few months later, you might have come across a group of job hunting 20-something recent graduates promoting their skills though sidebar advertisements on Facebook and links to their online resumes.

What intrigues me about these methods is not just the guts these job seekers displayed. It’s the different generational approaches to self-promotion. The Baby Boomer gravitated to in-person, face-to-face networking; the Millennial went right to the web.

If you are looking for a job in the current recession, my best advice is to borrow from the playbook of both of these self-promoters: combine “old-fashioned” methods with new technologies. Diane K. Danielson, my colleague and co-author on the book The Savvy Gal’s Guide to Online Networking calls this a “clicks and mix” strategy, and it’s an important marketing strategy if you’re looking for a new position.

Here’s why: young adults are competing in the job market with much more qualified people who have been laid off and need to find any job they can. At the same time, older professionals are competing with younger workers who are willing to be hired for less money and security. And, in this economy, every job seeker has to try every job hunting method available.

Here are some self-marketing tips for job seekers of all generations:

• Make sure your technical and communication skills are as strong as possible. If necessary, take a class or get some coaching in any area for which you’re not 100% comfortable. For an older professional, this may mean familiarizing yourself with social networking tools. For a younger professional, this may mean joining a Toastmasters club to work on your public speaking or conversational skills.

• Engage a “kind critic” to honestly assess your image as a job candidate. Find a professional you trust-a friend, former colleague, family member, etc.-who will be really honest with you. Ask this person to tell you if there is anything you need to know: Do you say “like” or “you know” too much when you talk? Should you dress less “frumpy”? Do you come across as bitter, out-of-touch or entitled? It’s important to know how others perceive you so you can address any areas where you’re getting in your own way.

• Become an active user of LinkedIn.com. LinkedIn has become the most popular and valuable professional social network, but it won’t work unless you work it. First, set up a complete profile including keywords a recruiter or business owner might use to find someone like you. Join professional networking groups on LinkedIn to build your connections and become part of conversations about industry news. Demonstrate your knowledge in the “Answers” section of the site to make even more connections and display your talent. Scour other people’s profiles to look for companies you may want to apply to, job titles or professions you didn’t know about, professional organizations where you might network and people with similar interests who might be willing to offer you some job search advice. Finally, use LinkedIn to help other people with suggestions, job leads and moral support-the more people you help, the more people will offer to return the favor and help you.

• Network face-to-face. While online networking is very important, still the best way to make a strong impression is in person. There is a perception that younger people are more comfortable communicating online, so it’s especially important for Millennial job hunters to demonstrate that they are comfortable face-to-face. No matter what your age, make sure you are networking across generations to maximize your chances of finding out about any and all opportunities. Don’t be afraid to attend a “young professionals” event if you’re over 50 or a “Don’t retire-rewire!” event if you’re under 40. Sometimes you have the best chance of making a memorable impression when you’re an outsider-as long as you are polite and gracious, of course!

• Play up your assets, whatever they are. If you are an experienced professional, then talk about your maturity, deep industry contacts and excellent judgment. If you are a recent college grad, emphasize your energy, enthusiasm and technical savvy.

• Don’t ever put yourself-or your age-down. Don’t make fun of your age, joke that you’ll be working for someone who could be your son or laugh about how “clueless” you are. If you’re comfortable with your age and experience level, others are likely to respond in kind.

Whatever your age, skill level or experience, always remember that self-marketing is about building on your strengths and addressing your weaknesses. So, be confident, be willing to learn and keep a positive attitude. Self-marketing makes a big difference in a difficult job market.

A version of this post originally appeared on the Lindsey Pollak Career Blog.

TAGS: Job Search, Networking, social networking

Everyone seems to be doing a lot of networking these days ─ just think about how many invitations you’ve probably received in the last month to Linked-In or some other social networking site as well as more traditional invitations. And there is no doubt that this is important to stay on touch with people; just this last night my friend’s daughter, a newly minted Harvard grad, learned that her firm, Lehman Brothers would file bankruptcy today. Since she has rent to pay, she needs to get a new job sooner rather than later –  her strong network will be invaluable to her in a very rough economy.

But women need strong networks even when they are not facing a job crisis – they need support from their networks when their usual child care arrangements are disrupted. And, women benefit from strong networks even when there is no crisis at all but an opportunity instead. Consider, for example, if you are offered a new position and want to think out loud with someone whose perspective will be useful and whose opinion you value.

Realistically though, with the demands on your time, it pays to be thoughtful about how and with whom you network. Your network should contain people from three separate spheres:

• Personal ─ partners, family, care-givers, friends
• Internal ─ people inside the company but those who are in different offices and departments
• External ─ people in your industry (including potential collaborators and competitors) as well as those who have the same functional responsibility (think of trade or professional associations)

Assess the people in your current network; when you do this, you may find your network is not as robust as you would like it to be. If that is the case, ask yourself the following questions:

• Where do you need to add people to advise you? To support you? To advocate for you?
• Who specifically who be a good fit? Why?
• How can you approach that person(s)? What can you do for that person in return?

A strong network with fewer people is far better than a large network full of people you barely know. Take the time and do the work to make yours a strategic network.

TAGS: Networking, networks, strategy, support