I would never dissuade job seekers from using social networking sites like Facebook or LinkedIn for networking -- never, ever. Not in this day and age. At the same time, I would not encourage people to desert traditional forms of networking. So, I was pleased to find others out there in the blogosphere who, like me, believe in the importance of connecting with people face-to-face.

Workplace columnist Anita Bruzzese thinks it’s smart to for networkers to use every tool at their disposal, both of the Web 2.0 variety, as well as conventional ones. “[M]ost employers tell me they still give much more weight to a job applicant who has personally been recommended by another employee or referred by someone they trust,” says Bruzzese. “That still appears to be the fast track to a job.”

In another Personal Branding interview, speaker and author Susan RoAne points out that "we are still humans who require relationships (professional or personal). It’s how our species is wired. This is why even Twitter sponsors ‘gatherings’ in some of the urban areas.”

Some further thoughts on networking:

• Don’t wait until you’re out of a job to network -- effective networking is a process that can (and should) be practised regularly.
• Build up your social skills in small, routine ways. For example, take the time to talk to the cashier as she rings through your bananas and toilet paper, or have a chat with fellow laundry washers at the local laundromat.
• Take business cards everywhere you go (except maybe the public pool).
• At social functions, don’t stick like glue to the people you feel most comfortable with. Instead, while milling around the cheese and crackers table, strike up a conversation with someone you don’t know.
• Join groups. Check out Toronto Meetup where you can hook up with people who share your interest in, say, cars, pool or jazz music.

kathyo

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There have been two times in my life where I've scoured job boards daily -- nay, hourly -- and sent out tons of resumés, literally, as if it were my job to do so. It's exhausting, and worse, it feels ridiculously futile. You know how it is -- you spend tons of time on a perfectly crafted resumé and cover letter and when it comes time to hit "send," you think to yourself: Well, I'll never hear from you! Click!

If Einstein was right, and insanity really is "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results," we're all probably a wee bit crazy. Many of us are guilty of having used the resumé-churn-out method, knowing full well that it's pretty useless. Why? It makes us feel productive, and when you're out of work, that’s tempting. But there’s another way to feel fruitful that’s much more likely to yield new results: a people search.

Recently, I saw the "people search" method recommended on Mashable: The Social Media Guide (where it was rightly pointed out that "sometimes the listed jobs aren't available or never existed in the first place." -- grrrr), but it's also something I started to figure out on my own, between my (above) moments of insanity. Think of this as a step between searching and networking. Here's how Mashable's Dan Schawbel suggests you do it:

• Step 1: Identify the top five companies you'd like to work for. Make a list and research those companies.
• Step 2: Use search engines like Google, or even Facebook, to track employees who work at those companies. It's not as creepy as it sounds. Companies use the web to find out about you, so why not do the same?
• Step 3: Connect with employees (managers, ideally) directly, but don't ask for a job outright. (Tip: Use LinkedIn or other social networking sites to see if you know someone who knows the person -- this will increase the chances that your message will get noticed.)

Using these steps will yield a whole new list of contacts, some of who may not be able to offer you anything immediately. Nevertheless, getting your name out there puts you on the radar of managers who may eventually be in a position to hire. And you never know when that might be. So, take a break from the monster.ca-enduced insanity, and get your people search on.

SKY

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Last week I spent the night at a sleep lab. I am one of many workers who has a sleep disorder, so I need to keep an eye on my sleep, so to speak.

Although I never felt refreshed in the morning, I did not suspect that I had a sleep disorder and felt that a sleep study would be a waste of time. It wasn't. The study found that I was being robbed of deep sleep (stages 3 and 4) because I was waking up hundreds of times each night, if only for a second.

I didn't look forward to my first study. (I've had three over the past four years). I anticipated lying on a cold steel table in some institutional setting, hooked up to wires and observed by the prying eyes of an invasive lab technologist.

Although I was hooked up to wires, the lab technologist was not invasive and the experience was anything but institutional. The sleep lab I go to is set in a ravine-like area, and, while the facilities aren't exactly the Royal York, you do get your own room, a double bed, thick carpeting on the floors, tons of storage space and a private bathroom with a shower. (Heck, I don't even have my own shower back home.)

This time, after putting on my p.j.s, I met Pasqual the technologist, a gentle young guy who measured my head and then "sandpapered" spots on my skull and face before applying electrodes. For a moment, I felt like I was having my face exfoliated at a beauty salon. That moment passed once Pasqual stuck tubes in my nose. He also placed a couple of belts around my chest and gave me a central receiver box that I had to carry around everywhere with me -- including the bathroom.

While I waited for Pasqual to hook me up to the wires in my bed, I went to the lounge where I met Sonya, a similarly wired woman, who was a t.v.-producer-turned part-time minister. Despite looking like something out of a sci-fi movie, we had an in-depth conversation about our current jobs and our past careers. If only I had remembered to bring my business cards.

kathyo

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According to a blog from Penelope Trunk, who writes career advice for a "new generation of workers," social skills matter today more than ever in the workplace. "Until the 1970s, a smart child uninterested in playground politics was considered eccentric but okay. Since the 1980s, educators see the playground as essential training for the future, and kids who can't navigate are often sent to experts for extra help with social skills." Trunk also contends that fields that used to be havens for loners increasingly require exceptional people skills.

I'm sure there are a few techies out there who may find this unnerving -- not to mention a few writers.

When I was growing up, I always found books and animals a lot easier to deal with than people. But, thankfully, in recent years I've pushed myself and made an effort to develop my social skills.

For instance, the last time I was out of work, I networked by calling up strangers and asking for an information interview. I also (briefly) joined a Toastmasters public speaking group, where the other members were very kind and supportive. (The stint at Toastmasters was brief only because I found work and no longer had free time.)

I've also placed myself in countless group situations; for instance, I join committees in my housing co-op and, no matter how painful it feels, I always stay and mingle after the general meetings. I'm no Bill Clinton (gawd, not even close), but my comfort level around people has increased; I'm a little better at small talk, and I have learned how to participate in groups without alienating myself from others.

I'm still more comfortable around books and critters, but withdrawing from people when I feel ill at ease is no longer my modus operandi.

kathyo

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The last time I was unemployed I joined a now-defunct networking group called EARN. (If you're interested in joining a networking group check out HAPPEN.) Every Tuesday morning, we would sit around big tables and listen to a career professional talk about how we could market ourselves to employers. After the presentation we would feverishly write a 30- to 60-second infomercial about our skills, which we would then pitch to fellow networkers. Business cards were whipped out dutifully at each encounter.

Infomercials, also known as elevator pitches, are descriptions of your career background, so named because they are concise enough to be delivered in the time span of an elevator ride.

People have different perspectives about the effectiveness of these pitches.

On the pro side, Scott Brown, writer of Developing Your Job Search Elevator Pitch says: "One of the most critical things about effective networking is being able to succinctly communicate why someone should be interested in you ... What if you ran into the president of GE, IBM, or some other company you wanted to work for in an elevator and they casually asked what you did? Having an elevator pitch ready is the key to getting someone like this interested in you."

Now the con side: "I scribbled a few (elevator pitches) on paper but I could never bring myself to actually keep them, much less use them," writes Amber Shah in Why I Don't Have an Elevator Pitch. "They were so trite, so riddled with buzzwords and swirling with their own self-importance," she explains.

As for me: I see both sides. Although the idea could incite over-smarmy pitches on the part of some job searchers, being able to clearly and concisely communicate your skills and background is all-important when you are networking or at job interviews. I think the key is learning how to pitch yourself in a natural manner without going into super sales mode.

And lastly -- call me cynical, but I just can't picture standing beside Sam Palmisano in a near-empty elevator anytime soon.

kathyo

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Schmoozing is an art. I have some friends who were born to do it, I, myself, am rather helpless at it unless I'm particularly inspired. My friend B. (who works for a successful public relations company) could be dropped off in the middle of, oh, I don't know, Greenland, and she'd probably manage to chat somebody up and make instant friends. I could never picture this woman jobless because she's a natural networker and can't help but sell her skills.

In recent months, the skill of networking has become especially important as people are getting laid off left, right and centre. Suddenly many are out of secure jobs and find themselves in an impossible position -- unemployed, shocked, overqualified. In the article Need a Job? Check Out a Pink-Slip Party in the Globe and Mail, the author Tenille Bonoguore talks about the new get-togethers for those who have been laid off. People get to exchange tips on job seeking, leads and business cards. As well, they get to know others in their field and in similar situations. Toronto's parties have been quite successful so far and although the high attendance is a little scary (it implies recession, no?), people who attend report that pink slip parties are a good idea and that they make them feel less alone.

ttyl

Jowita

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All of my life I've been envious of those who can walk into a roomful of strangers and strike up a fascinating conversation, leaving with a raft of phone numbers and email addresses. Me, I avoid big parties and usually end up talking to the host's children or hanging out with their dog. Those personality profile tests administered by guidance counsellors indicated that the ideal career choice for me would be Forest Ranger. Instead, I became a techie.

Being a techie seemed ideal for me. I loved the problem solving aspect of Computer Science and I could work for hours on code without interruption. Best of all, my colleagues were mostly introverts like me. But being good at my job earned me promotions and eventually I became a manager. Being introverted suddenly seemed like a bigger handicap than ever. Managers must chair and speak up at meetings, represent the group and even speak at conferences, give performance reviews and speak every day with their staff. Every year my own manager encouraged me to speak out more at meetings. But I just couldn't do it. I spent many a conference hanging out in my hotel room -- you guessed it -- writing code.

I finally decided to fake it. I began to practise. I'd give myself some silly small talk assignment and do it. At first I sounded really false but eventually I found out that people really do like to talk about themselves and I just had to get them started. And people are actually pretty interesting. I started cautiously speaking up at meetings. I went prepared with a question, comment or idea and waited for the right time to insert it into the meeting. My timing wasn't great at first but my input was respected and well received which gave me the confidence to do it again. Eventually, I was able to feel comfortable and confident even with strangers. As long as I was well prepared, I was not nervous. My next step was presenting at conferences. I figured I couldn't be any worse than some presenters I've seen. Again, being well-prepared was the secret to success -- that and the desperation of some conference organizers, more than willing to take a chance on any volunteer presenter.

I'm still an introvert. Some days when I've been in meetings all day I go home exhausted. My idea of the perfect vacation is sitting on the beach with a pile of books. But I'm able to enjoy my job and have even fooled some people into wishing they could be more outgoing just like me.

Kathy Kelly

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There were many times when I felt like throwing my computer out the window (I don't mean here at Possibilities, seriously, boss). In my last job, I worked with a manager who was eternally confused and I directed my frustrated thoughts (about her?) at the poor Mac that stood on my desktop. I lost that job and so did the rest of the team including the confused manager. When I read about the Unemployment Olympics, I couldn't help but laugh. The games played were gems like the Office-Phone Skee-Ball, where participants had to throw a black phone toward chalk goal marks on the pavement. The attendees were people who lost their jobs in the recent economic downturn.

The participants talked about how anxiety-making their job losses were and how this silly event allowed them to relax for a change and just have fun. I thought of how I had wanted to punish my poor computer at my former job and I felt a little less worried about that -- it seems that getting angry at office objects is a common reaction among frustrated workers. I also remembered a very funny movie, Office Space, in which there's an amazing scene of office workers taking revenge on their equipment. You have to see it!

ttyl

Jowita

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No one is really prepared to lose a job. After all, losing a job doesn’t seem like something we should have to “train” for. But it’s a good idea to be ready for the aftermath of getting canned. You might already know what to do, but do you really know how to do it?

In the article Career Management Basics - You Know Them, Do You Practice Them?, the author, Jason Alba, talks about being prepared to do a job search after being laid off. For example, everyone knows that networking is crucial but how comfortable are you with actually contacting people from your network? Get in touch with them now and nurture your relationships. A friend of mine sends holiday greetings to her networking contacts. It’s a small gesture but it’s done a lot for her (one of her contacts called her recently about a senior-position at a major publication in Canada).

Another way of networking is to do it online – go beyond friends’ list on Facebook or LindkedIn (an online network of professionals from around the world, representing 150 industries) and contact people in your field. You can join professional online forums and groups on Facebook. Or, if you’re really ambitious, you can even start a professional group or an online forum yourself where people can discuss topics related to their field.

ttyl

Jowita

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Long time ago, I lost a job. After I came out of the initial state of shock, my first instinct was to call up everyone and whine about the terrible thing that happened to me. I didn’t do that. Instead, I just moped around for a few months (read: isolated) and focused on my freelance work. And eventually through doing freelance I realized that I had a lot of contacts that could be helpful and that, actually, I should call them up. Maybe not to complain but to let them know that I was looking for work so, I started telling people. And, before I knew it, I was getting internal job postings from friends of friends and referrals or queries from people I’ve never even approached for writing gigs.

In the article Network Beyond Your Comfort Zone there’s a great metaphor for networking: it’s like throwing pebble into a pond and watching the waves spread out further and further.

It’s good to tell your friends and family that you’re looking for work. Next step may be to tell them to tell everyone. And you, too, should tell everyone that you’re looking. Maybe not the nice lady on the bus, but people who may be connected to your field or people who may know those connected.

The network article says to develop “an elevator pitch” that defines your potential contribution to prospective employers. This means being prepared to quickly and swiftly paint a picture of who you are –- it’s a little bit like a verbal resumé. And don’t be shy – what’s the worst that could happen? Someone will brush you off. But on the other hand you could make a great career contact.

ttyl

Jowita

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