What a great day to network

What a great day it was today! Nice weather has finally arrived in the Northeast and it was a beautiful day in Long Island. We got some sandwiches, went to one of our favorite wineries and ate our sandwich, drank some wine and enjoyed the great weather. We had a nice chat with the couple next to us, who were doing the same thing. Its one of the best parts about the East End of Long Island and I enjoy as much of it as I can.

I have learned to really enjoy meeting new people and finding out about them. I have recently finished reading Keith Ferrazzi's book "Never Eat Alone" and from it I have learned that one of the benefits about seeking a new position is the opportunity to meet and interface with so many other people who are out there looking. We all need help and since I have learned a few lessons in this process, I am able to help others out and get rewards myself.

I am too often shocked by the folks who don't follow the simple rules of engagement in this process. It seems that using a computer removes from people all the basic elements of human engagement and they forget that manners and consideration are all important in making new connections. Always try to look at it from the other persons point of view, if the person is busy - be very considerate of their time and make sure that you are adding value to them.

Ines Mergel made a great post about this on her blog the other day "Career Networking - puh - do I have to be nice to everyone?" Some people violate basic rules on a regular basis and make us all look bad. The good news is that you can stand out by doing it right, being considerate and having something to say.

Love Letters to my new boss

Once upon a time, I found what appeared to be a nearly perfect opportunity and got the interview. I was very well qualified, probably too qualified, but they are located EXACTLY where I want to live. Its a very well managed company, in the right industry, in my target size range. The interview went great, they clearly indicated I was probably the best qualified candidate, started discussing salary expectations while I was still there.... then silence.

What in the hell went wrong???

As the candidate I have several options, but basically it boils down to 1.) wait for them to act, or 2.) be proactive and make the offer happen. The best case scenario for any candidate is to take the proactive choice. I am not talking about begging for a job, I don't beg. Nothing is as hopeless and unappealing than desperation.

In any interview situation, you must make the connection. The candidate sets themselves apart by making the interviewer feel good about themselves when they are with you. If this sounds disingenuous, its not, it's developing a relationship. Its like dating or "courting" to use an older term, and I am not the only one who believes this. Check out David Perry's blog "Job Hunting is just like courting"

So, back to my specific situation; I made the connection in the interview, but I oversold it a little and made them uncomfortable. This was the killer and it would have undone the whole thing without some proactive work. I wrote a love letter to my prospective boss. Nothing flowery, but a simple statement that really I was approachable and wanted the job. I would love to be a part of your team. I did this by e-mail and got nothing back - lets face it - e-mail is really impersonal. So I called, and it took quite a few times to get through, but it worked. I sold the product (me) and got the offer!

I must admit I was skeptical, but it worked and with an actual offer on paper, then you can negotiate. This is a subject for another blog.