Posted under Networking on March 22nd, 2007
There’s an excellent article on strategic networking on AOL from networking guru Debra Feldman. Networking
is more than just going to a lot of different meetings and collecting handfuls of business
cards. Savvy networkers know that in order for networking to be effective, they
must network purposefully to find the appropriate decision makers.
excellent strategy for networking purposefully is to develop a self marketing
plan that can be shared with people you meet at networking events and
informational interviews. The profile helps to anchor the conversation and
allows the job seeker to garner additional information on target companies and
decision makers.
Here
are the key attributes of a sound self-marketing plan.
Like
the profile on the resume, the profile on the self-marketing plan offers a
sound bite of information for the reader and showcases overall accomplishments
and competencies.
Successes
List
three to five key accomplishments that define your value add for a particular
type of role or industry.
Showcase
the types of positions that are a good fit for you based on your experience,
level, and interests.
Target Industries
Some
job seekers have skills that lend themselves to a specific industry. For
example, an investment banker will most likely target commercial or private
banking or hedge funds. An accountant, on the other hand, may target public
accounting firms or multiple industries such as healthcare, manufacturing,
telecommunications, etc.
Discuss
the type of decision maker you need to get in front of. The appropriate
decision maker is typically someone who is in a position that is one to two
levels above you.
Target Company Profile
By
including this section you can telegraph the type of company you would like to
work for. Examples might include international firms, start-ups, high-growth,
or distressed organizations seeking a turnaround specialist.
Target Companies
Create
a robust list of companies that are reasonable targets for you. If possible,
rank order them by preference.
Geography
Summarizing
the cities, states, and countries you are interested in working in helps your
audience better understand the area you are targeting and the degree of
geographic flexibility in your search.
Company Size
Fortune
500 versus a start-up…many job seekers have definite opinions concerning where
they would like to work. By conveying preferences on the self marketing plan,
you quickly clarify the type of company you wish to pursue. This helps your audience
give you more specific and productive recommendations.
Employment History
Include
a list of companies you have worked for. This is just a snapshot of information
and does not require a great deal of detail. The resume is the more appropriate
place for a more developed chronology.
Try
using the self-marketing plan during your next informational interview. The
document will help crystallize your past successes and future goals and help
you in your quest to network purposefully.
Posted by Barbara Safani