Business Networking for Beginners - Part One - Jane Jackson Career

Business Networking for Beginners - Part One - Jane Jackson Career Business networking is certainly nothing new, but the recent explosion of networking opportunities fuelled by social media can make the proposition of entering the networking fray a confusing and ultimately time-consuming activity for business owners wanting to make new contacts and grow their businesses.The number one thing to remember before you even enter the networking event room is  YOU CAN DO THIS!   OK, it’s not the most comfortable or easy step to walk into a room of strangers and introduce yourself but be prepared, take a deep breath and do it.You will be glad you did. Just a note for the over-confident too â€" don’t go into a new group all guns blazing either â€" you’ll just come over as annoying!So how to choose a group or event to attend?   Firstly, ask some of your business contacts if they go to any, but a search online for ‘business networking near me’ should return plenty of results for you to investigate.   From this list of search results, the networking o pportunities offered will most likely fall into one of these types of groups:Highly Organised, High CommitmentOtherwise known as strong contact networking groups these are not for the faint-hearted, but beginners are very welcome. They require a high level of commitment both in time and money. BNI is strong all over Australia, indeed the world, and is a great example of this type of networking group.Highly Organised, Low CommitmentProvided by larger organisations with less time or financial commitments than strong contact networking. Small Business Association of Australia and Local Government organised networking fits in here.Relaxed and Human Connections FocusedEvents such as the very popular #LinkedInLocalSydney  events which have a strong focus on the human-to-human connection rather than business pitching and sales focused are attracting groups betwen 20 â€" 100 .These networking events encourage ‘online’ connections who reside in a geographic location to take their network ing ‘offline’ and meet face to face to get to know the real people behind their LinkedIn profiles. Sydney events are run by Jane Jackson, Career Management Coach and LinkedIn Trainer and Jillian Bullock, The LinkedIn Ninja DownUnder.Special Interest GroupsThis may not be what you expect â€" it’s not the interest of or the actual businesses in the group â€" it’s usually what the group is organised around. Some charities and sports clubs hold occasional networking events, think out of the box and you will probably find a useful networking group in there somewhere.Professional and Trade AssociationsSpending time with professional and trade associations is more about raising your profile, being ‘in the know’ and meeting people who may help or recommend you to others.This is especially helpful for Job Seekers who are looking to meet decision makers in their industry or to expand their network in a new industry. It’s an invaluable part of networking and shouldn’t be overlo oked.Mingling with your competition can arm you with information you wouldn’t otherwise have so do hang out with them occasionally!Online and Social MediaThere are a lot of new places to promote your business and network online.   In the case of social media, a huge proportion of this is little more than businesses posting their advertisements into a page or group but in fairness it’s not easy to start a really good online networking group.Look for local events and groups that your potential customers may be interested in and get involved. As mentioned earlier, #LinkedInLocal events are a perfect way to meet the connections you’ve made online.Special Events Look out for one-off and special events. Sometimes big networking clubs hold free or discounted open sessions that allow you to get a foot in the door. Also look out for speed networking opportunities which can be great, especially if you are new to the experience.Its a bit of a baptism of fire but the plus side is you will have no time to be nervous or feel like a spare part!   You will also master your super-fast networking pitch to perfection.   Expect to speak to 100 or more fellow business people in a morning session so a bottle of water and business cards at the ready and GO!Found an event? You will need Business cards and/or flyers (plenty of them) are a must for any networking event.   Unless you know you are presenting you dont really need any in-depth business materials with you.Useful online business card tools such as slideit.io make exchanging contact information super easy as you can send your digital business card via SMS on the spot and schedule follow up calls via the app too.If possible, get the attendee list before the event.   This helps you pinpoint contacts you want to make. Check for anything attendees are asked to bring along or fill in before the event.Wear something with pockets preferably two one for contacts cards and one for yours, or a cross-body bag works well for this .   The key is to deal with cards efficiently without getting in a muddle.If taking a larger bag, use one that sets down on the floor or table without falling over youll only waste valuable time fiddling with it!Dress smartly, appropriate for your profession but also comfortably, you could be on your feet for a while.Make sure your business social media profiles are up to scratch no point putting in the time and effort to meet people face to face, only to be let down online.   There is something of an après-event connecting culture, especially on LinkedIn so be certain that you are on there, up to date and looking good!Whether it’s your first time or you are a seasoned networker, knowing who you are likely to find in the room can help to organise some priorities and seek out your best opportunities.   Having said that, never discount anyone from your efforts, networking people know people and referrals are the name of the game.Many speak to lots of other networkers and have dee p, wide pools of contacts they can refer you to.   Also bear in mind how online networking such as LinkedIn will show their contacts YOUR details if you connect with them.Who are you likely to find at a networking event?The Senior ProfessionalThis person is very likely to be a speaker at the event.   They are experts in their field.   They are often more approachable than you may expect and are usually open to adding to their existing extensive base of contacts. Connect with these people by asking about them, their book, Twitter name, who they have worked with and where.They may ask you what you do, they may not, this is probably not one for a sales pitch unless there is an obvious match.   If you can ask them something that they can get back to you on that’s great â€" it gives you an excuse to connect by LinkedIn or email after the event and keep the conversation open.Simply being connected or associated with these people can help raise your profile.The OrganiserThis person could work for the networking organisation or be a local member.   These people know EVERYONE, they have LinkedIn connections coming out of their ears!Try to find out what the organiser does, if you have a match between your businesses they will have you in their diary for a post-event appointment in a flash.The MLM’er (Multi Level Marketing)These  are people involved with larger businesses who use an independent sales force to sell their products and/or services. They work on sales commissions and compensation plans. What they want is MORE TEAM MEMBERS.   Essentially these people are on one big recruitment drive.Some have other business interests and will register for the event as that but then bring their MLM opportunity into the conversation.  They like sole traders, the self-employed, anyone in sales and stay-at-home parents who they could add to their unsalaried sales team.Their upstream organisation provides them with almost everything they need to run their show, so it is unlike ly they will venture outside of that for other business supplies or services.The Charity ExecutiveThese people are quite interesting, they are passionate about the charity they represent and tend to come from a solid charity sector, marketing, PR or event management background.Their main aim is to find sponsors for events and the like and they often have venues or other services belonging to their charity that they want to sell. They really like the word FREE and this can help you reach further into their organisation for contacts relevant to your business.For example, offering to Tweet or share in your Facebook group their event details usually goes down well.   Building relationships and associating with charities is good for business and you never know who is involved with any one charity at a higher level.The FranchiseeFranchisees come in many forms and experience and from many different sectors.   Franchisees are not to be confused with MLM’ers as they are not normally on a r ecruitment drive.  Franchisees are open to help, contacts and new markets for their products and/or services.To make the differences clear a franchise owner has paid a company for the right to operate a business for that company’s products or services, most often within an agreed territory.   This is usually a substantial investment â€" essentially buying a business off the shelf.The TherapistsEssentially Freelancers, Therapists warrant their own category. Covering a wide variety of services including Physiotherapy, Life Coaching, Alternative Medicine, Self-Improvement, Personal Branding, Wellbeing and the list goes on.Their goals for networking vary but essentially, they are looking for new customers to bring their therapy to. That could either be to deliver the therapy itself to workers, provide training in the therapy or to use their specialist knowledge to deliver an improvement course within organisations.These people are usually very passionate and focused on what they do.   They are open to hearing about services that will give them more time to spend with their clients or to develop courses.The FreelancersAnother very diverse group of people who stand apart in so far as they 1) work in their own business, usually as self-employed and 2) have specialist skills.This includes VAs, PAs, web designers, copywriters, code programmers, digital designers, film makers, single practice accountants, specialist solicitors, travel planners, event organisers, photographers, you get the picture I am sure.   These people are looking for new customers to deliver their services and skills to and the business network ethos of referrals works well here.They want you to refer them and will refer you in turn.   These people probably have the most useful networks of contacts, they tend to know someone for every requirement so if your niche is a bit different or you have a speciality, they are sure to add you to their database of useful people!Business networking is made for The Freelancers â€" they are used to running the show in their business and are usually confident in what they do and know how to talk about it.The SMB SpecialistsThis group is made up of professionals and consultants who are not so interested in The Freelancers or the MLM’ers â€" these people are seeking the small to medium sized businesses.HR Consultants, lawyers, people from larger accountants and insurance company representatives fall into this category.   Some are independent, some work as agents and others are employees.These people are on the lookout for small companies that are growing, taking on more staff, new premises etc.   There can be some quite quirky specialists in this group and it is always worth listening as your business may need their services one day.Now you have everything to prepare you for your chosen networking event! Next, we will look at what happens at and after a networking event.To attract opportunities and interest in what YOU do, you need a strong Personal Brand this FREE MASTERCLASS, 3 Secrets to Personal Branding for Career Success shows you how.Carolyn Strand is a guest blogger, Digital Marketing specialist and Managing Director at C J Strand Ltd.

When I Grow Up Round-Up!

When I Grow Up Round-Up! Ive been flying through the Interwebs lately, boy, are my arms tired! Come make your connections with me, without putting your lotions into teeny tiny containers. Heres our itinerary: My July 2010 Spotlight on Rise of the Innerpreneur! According to Tara, An innerpreneur is an entrepreneur who use their business to find personal fulfillment (creatively, spiritually, emotionally) and create social change. Im constantly fixated on maintaining growing my innerpreneurship (plus, its such a super fun word) that Im just super thrilled to be highlighted here. I was named a Blogger to Watch Out For: Career Coaches on CRAVE thanks to my lovely friend client Alexandra Franzen, who youre all sick of hearing about already but I dont care. Alexandra is the bomb diggity! April of Everything Little Miss devoted lost in thoughts #68 to the lovely ladies that make up our group coaching session, Operation: Creative Career Growth Spurt! This was a group that sprouted from my scholarship contest, I love coaching these fantabulous women on taking their creative careers to the next level. Check out what Aprils getting out of the sessions as well as getting profiles on her classmates that give her so much support! Youre sick of hearing about this too, but I have to throw out the Next Top Newsletter contest yet again. I made it to the finals need your vote! Please click here, scroll about halfway down the page until you see my face/name/other revealing facts gimme a Thumbs Up. If I win, Ill record myself singing A Moment Like This will post it on YouTube. I kid you not. Contest ends on Aug 2nd, so please hurry! I wrote a review of The Fatigue Prescription over on Spring, were giving a lucky commenter their very own copy! Head on over, while youre at, take a look around! Theres weekly artist spotlight/giveaways, wonderful guest posts, awesometastic discussions even vulnerable videos from your favorite co-hosts (not like Im speaking about myself. Except I am). Please turn off your electronic devices   put your seats up tray tables in the upright position, as were getting ready for our landing. But before we do, please listen to the following announcements: Juliana Finch needs your help making her next CD! She is an AMAZING (yes, all caps needed) folk singer/songwriter I need this CD for selfish reasons. Please be a backer for her next CD by contributing on Kickstarter (I did!) before Aug 21st. She also has awesome incentives for backers, so you can get free music, a private living room concert or even a brand new song inspired by your life! So, so cool. Ive decided to stop my Link Love posts for the time being. I know, I know, I loved it too, but it really is time-consuming for me to get that all together each every month in a timely fashion. So please, follow me on Twitter and/or see my shared items in my Google Reader page get the links I love in real time. My next newsletter is out next week, its gonna be awesometastic. If your Inbox needs a double dose of fantastic-ness (one shot for my free 21-page workbook that you get for signing up another shot for the newsletter itself), then make sure you step up place your order. Please prepare for landing, enjoy your stay in When I Grow Up Land!

A History of Fitness Resume Refuted

A History of Fitness Resume Refuted The Fitness Resume Trap My work experience has allowed me to get experience with a wide spectrum of physical requirements and various roles within the fitness atmosphere. You ought to detail all your educational achievements, even if they're not directly linked to the fitness market. Additionally, there are skill growth trainings. A fitness resume is a valuable promotional tool to assist you attain the success you want. The Basics of Fitness Resume Previous experience and an explosive personality is crucial to landing the personal training job that you desire. No matter in which you live, locating a job is about taking the appropriate actions. The process of locating a job sometimes takes quite a long time, and it's simple to find downtrodden. There's an option for each and every personality. Life After Fitness Resume You have to contact the enterprise to find anymore company or job details. Indicate your availability to commence th e position if successful, especially if the work listing has outlined they need someone once possible. If you're asking for work at a huge employer in the Fortune1000, it may be smart to include your LinkedIn profile and your professional Twitter account on your resume. As soon as your application has been fully submitted you will not have the ability to log back into the exact same job application. A History of Fitness Resume Refuted Generally, place your education section at the conclusion of your resume because employers have a tendency to search for your work experience first. As a consequence, my skills are varied and have the ability to cover a wide range of specialist requirements. If you're just beginning in the business, attempt to highlight skills in different areas that would complement the position. If you have had at least two previous work in the fitness business or a minumum of one job and a related level, do not mention experience outside the business. At a workout center, the clients shouldn't be the ones to control every time a fitness owner works. Writing a fitness trainer resume isn't difficult in any way. The fitness operator should set her or his own working hours. It is truly a passion of mine. Get the Scoop on Fitness Resume Before You're Too Late Today jobseekers have plenty of tools which they can utilize. In fact, lots of recruiters and hiring manager might toss aside application materials which include photographs as it shows the work seeker doesn't understand appropriate job search strategies. Mediocre resumes are never acknowledged by hiring managers who are searching for the ideal candidate that the world has to offer you. The Basic Facts of Fitness Resume By asking questions you'll be able to learn more regarding the customer and be better able to personalize the response to the customer's questions. After all, it's your ticket to securing a work interview. The cover letter examples below can help you locat e the job that you want. After you've narrowed your options, conduct informational interviews to find out more about the job or the organization you're interested in.

The Ideal Approach for Resume Writing Services Austin

The Ideal Approach for Resume Writing Services Austin The Start of Resume Writing Services Austin Read the fine print and make sure that you comprehend the requirements and duties. There are many statements one can utilize to make an effective resume. Develop your confidence When you make an application for work, the interview procedure requires you to exude confidence. The Downside Risk of Resume Writing Services Austin Writing a cover letter can at times be somewhat confusing. Resume writing objective is a significant portion of the resume, without it resume won't leave its effect on the recruiter. A strong summary statement at the peak of your resume can increase the probability of them noticing what you've got to offer from the beginning. Anticipating the unknown when writing resumes can look like a struggle. The Resume Writing Services Austin Game When you contact us to talk about your unique needs, we'll be pleased to send you a quote for our services. Naturally, i t's much important to find the help of some expert writer to prepare the greatest federal resume because the demands of federal resume are much different than resume required for private job. Projects Give the facts of academic projects you undertook. You're a personal services business. Resume Writing Services Austin: the Ultimate Convenience! Resume writing is daunting work for people that write a resume once annually, or once a decade sometimes. It's a key to acquire your preferred job, you definitely don't need to have a chance of committing any silly mistake. If you want to take charge of your work life, step one is easy. Luckily, there are means to create fantastic resumes capable of catching the eyes of prospective recruiters regardless of what venue you're working with. The Argument About Resume Writing Services Austin If a content writer develops its LinkedIn resume and try using some weird keyword for its profession like Content Artist, he then will not receive t he expected reaction. Afterall, it's your advertising document and YOU are the product that you're marketing. A good deal of research about the business profile and your prospective work profile will assist you in listing the most suitable skills for the job. After getting the info about optimization and parts of LinkedIn profile, it will become obvious to employ the expert services of pro writers to increase your LinkedIn profile. Looking for employment is an arduous and stressful practice. Searching a deserving job can be an arduous and complicated job. Stunning Resume matters a lot when you're searching for a wonderful job. The increasing number of essay writing services is wholly overwhelming. A careful selection procedure will help you locate the very best writer. In the event the writer supplies you a canned or fast answer that looks one-size-fits-all, you should probably look around. Obviously, becoming an expert resume writer is a procedure that demands a lot of patience and dedication.

Soft Skills in the Workplace First Day Dos and Donts

Soft Skills in the Workplace First Day Dos and DontsSo youve applied, interviewed, receivedthe job offer, filled out all the paperwork, andread through the company orientation manual. Now what? googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) Joining a new company often means learning what systems are already inprogress. Who do you report to? How will you be given new assignments? Do youget to prioritize for yourself, or will your teamberaterin be managing your day-to-daytasks? You cant meet or exceed expectations if you dont know what they areYour First Day In The OfficeMake sure you bring something to write with and something to write on If youreinvited to attend meetings right away, sit back and observe its usually better to directany questions to your immediate supervisor or office neighbor later, instead ofdisrupting the discussion. Draw yourself a seating chart to record your newcoworkers names and where they sat (it will help you to put names with faces) andtake elendes to start getting up to speed.DOs1. Take initiativeThis doesnt mean going rogue or being resistant to existingcompany practices, but you can demonstrate that youre an independent thinkerby coming up with your own way to complete an assignment and running it byyour supervisor to get approval. They may appreciate that youre alreadythinking of ways to innovate. If they want to redirect you, be receptive to thefeedback.2. Get to know your neighborsSet a goal of introducing yourself to one coworkera day until you know at least everyone on your team or anyone with whom yourdepartment interacts regularly. Dont be distracting or monopolize their time, but even a few moments of chattingas you refill a cup of coffee can help you develop working relationships with yourcolleagues.3. Volunteer for projectsIf youre in a meeting and someone higher up the foodchain is looking for someone to lead a new project or supervise the execution of anew initiative, consider whether you r workload could accommodate an plus-rechnen(and check with your boss). Its better to be the person who says Yes, I canhandle that for youanything else? than the person who sits silently while anopportunity passes them by.DONTs1. ComplainEven if your old office gave out free coffee and omelets everymorning and all your new office seems to have is stale animal crackers, youshould approach your first weeks on the job with a continuation of your bestinterview behavior. Dont let your reputation become that of somebody whogripes instead of saying good morning, or is convinced the grass was greener onthe other side of the fence.2. Act helplessIf youre really and truly stuck, dont waste time struggling underthe radar. But with run-of-the-mill IT issues, small-scale office needs, or learningnew software, cultivate a sense of self-sufficiency. A needy employee distractscoworkers and signals the boss that theyre not ready for mora responsibility.3. Get too comfortable too quicklyBe aware of t he prevailing office culture anddo your best not to disrupt it by cluttering shared space or bringing in too manyphotos or knickknacks from home. Theres always time to bring more of yourpersonality into the office once youve established yourself as a professional first,a cat or dog or sports enthusiast second.4. Mock HR PoliciesWhether your orientation was a quick spin around the officecomplex or a more formal company-wide presentation, demonstrate yourprofessionalism by taking them seriouslyfrom the basics, like adhering to a dresscode, to the legal standards of conduct, like refraining personal comments aboutyour coworkers.

6 Enviable Qualities of People With Grit

6 Enviable Qualities of People With Grit What does it take to be number one? Ask this question, and you will undoubtedly be met with a variety of answers. Courage to press on, resolve when things mess up, and strength of character to persevere would all likely appear on the list. All of these abilities are exhibited by those who have grit, and gritty people possess the following super enviable qualities1. They confront problems head on.Gritty people demonstrate tenacity. The weak-willed may sweep things under the rug, but those who have grit know the only way to achieve their goals is to solve what stands in their way. Those with grit work to find solutions to their problems instead of worrying about them and hoping that they disappear.2. They go after what they want.Rather than waiting for opportunities to chose out of the sky and into their lap, those with grit binnenseek out chances to achieve their goals. They put in the work, even if its not always easy. If they want a promotion , they dont sit around talking about how they deserve it they take on additional responsibilities without being asked, devote extra time to assigned tasks, and go out of their way to make sure they have face time with their boss whenever possible. They chase their goals because they know their goals wont chase them.3. They take chances.Those with grit dont let fear of striking out keep them from playing the game, and they believe the risk is often worth the reward. They understand that their self-worth is not directly tied to their instant success, so if they try something and it doesnt work out the first time, they see it as a learning opportunity to fail better until they get it right.4. They know who they are.While those without grit may let insecurities hold them back, people with grit believe in themselves, and that belief pushes them to persevere when others give up. Having a strong sense of self enables them to bounce back from mistakes. Thinking about how others see you is a waste of energy, and gritty people devote their energy to attaining their goalsnot wondering how others perceive them.5. They are detail-oriented.Those with grit examine things from multiple angles, and rather than speeding through tasks, they take time to truly understand what is being asked of them. Because they value doing their best work, they consider each step they take carefully to make sure the direction they are heading in will truly produce the greatest results.6. They focus on long-term goals.Beginning a project is exciting, but as time goes on and roadblocks occur, throwing in the towel and taking it easy can start to look pretty appealing. Gritty people are able to see past one hard practice or sleepless night and visualize the light at the end of the tunnel. Though it isnt always fun, they understand that the elation of a job well done is more satisfying than getting halfway to the top and stopping.--Kayla Heisler is an essayist and Pushcart Prize-nominated poet. She is a contributing writer for Color My Bubble. Her work appears in New Yorks Best Emerging Poets anthology.

Taking a gap year

Taking a gap year Taking a gap yearPosted October 13, 2011, by Helen IsbisterTaking a year off after school to embark on an international escapade is a fantastic way to throw off the cobwebs before leaping into a career or more study. Whether you decide to spend the time working, volunteering or just exploring, a gap year is a fantastic way to gain maturity, experience and independence. While a gap year is mostly about having a good time, it can also increase your chances of career success. Having one on your resume demonstrates lots of desirable life skills and most employers would prefer to hire people who know a bit more about the world than what theyve read in a textbook.The saying the world is your oyster is never truer than right now, so take a deep breath, think outside the square and jump inVolunteeringVolunteering allows you to be more than just a tourist. It will take you behind the scenes and up close with cultures, people and languages all while you make a positive diff erence in the world. You can become involved in a huge variety of projects in nearly every country in the world. Depending on your skills and interests, you might choose to help out in teaching, care, community, conservation, media or construction. Who knows? You could find yourself saving sea turtles in Costa Rica, teaching children in Cambodia, working with orphans in Cape Town, or building wells in Ghana.Working holidayThe traditional gap year is to take a working holiday overseas. It kills two birds with one stone funding the experience while you live itThere are plenty of organisations that will set you up with a job before you even leave Australia, so you can confidently rock up in another country knowing youll have cash coming your way. Many of these organisations will also help with sorting out your visa as well.The most popular destinations are naturally English speaking countries like the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States, but that isnt to say you cant venture further afield.Lots of gappers choose to work in boarding schools, pubs, ski resorts or summer camps most of which offer staff accommodation and a network of Aussies, Kiwis and Canadians who are also pulling pints or operating chairlifts to pay their way around the worldStudent exchangeEmbarking on an overseas adventure doesnt necessarily mean burning all your books and shunning everything that is educationally inclined. In fact, the student life is a pretty sweet one and its even better if you get to do it in a foreign countrySchool leavers can sign themselves up to attend a foreign high school and live with a host family. Its a great way to get immersed in a new culture, learn a new language and make loads of new friends. And you get to live the high school life without the worries of looming final-year examsUniversity students also have plenty of opportunities to take their study abroad many unis have partner universities where students can take classes and transfer credit poi nts.Another alternative is for you to study with an Australian university or vocational education provider while overseas, via distance education. There is a plethora of courses that you can study online, covering every subject area, so its worth checking out the range of options.Another way of racking up international experience in the personenname of learning is to get involved with an internship in another country. i-to-i internship placements run from two to 24 weeks in fields such as health and medicine, marketing, tourism, sports and media.Au pairWorking as an au pair, or nanny, is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the culture of a country. You will live with a host family, receiving free rent and board plus a small wage in return for looking after the children. Through Au Pair Australia, you can organise a placement with a screened family in whichever country takes your fancy. With the exception of France, you dont need to be able to speak the local language before you t ake up the position but au pair placements are a great chance to learn or improve a foreign language and many come with an allowance for language lessons. Most placements are for between 10 and 12 months, but you can also book in for four- month summer placements in France or Italy.Australian Defence Force (ADF) eu-agrarpolitik YearThe ADF Gap Year program provides an opportunity for young Australians, who have finished year 12 (or equivalent) within the