Earlier this week, I was at St. Mary Magdalen Employment Network in Media, PA to attended the inaugural meeting of the job search group Joseph’s People of Central Delco (as in Delaware County, PA). Joseph’s People of Central Delco was formed through consolidating the established job search chapters of St. Mary Magdalen Employment Network, GetWorks of Media Presbyterian Church and Metro Philly Job Search Group of St. Laurence Church in Upper Darby.
While at Tuesday’s meeting, I greeted the attendees by asking them, “What do you do?” To a person, each of the individuals responded in a glum and forlorn tone “I am unemployed”. True, these people are not currently collecting a pay check, but being unemployed is not a profession. The people who I spoke with were experienced workers and contributors to their families and society who just happen to currently be in job transition. A more appropriate response to my networking question would be “I am an accomplished nurse, house painter, accountant, plumber, etc (whatever their profession is) who is currently in a job transition. Who within your network should I be speaking with in order to potentially assist in advancing my career?” While you are in job transition, you need to constantly networking. Not necessarily networking for a job interview, but networking to become aware of an employment opportunity within the Hidden Job Market and the opportunity to be referred to another member of that person’s network who may be hiring or may know of another person or company that may be looking to hire someone with your accomplishments.
During job transition, we become sales persons who need to promote one product; ourselves. Opportunities to sell you and to safely complete your job search appear at unsuspected times. Opportunities to promote your professional accomplishments toward employment may arise at the supermarket, the gym, at your place of worship, on an elevator and even at job search event. You never know who you will meet and how that person may assist in your job search. You need to be ready for these encounters with a smile, firm handshake and positive 10 second speech about who you are and a summary of your professional accomplishments.
Being prepared for successful networking interactions takes practice and a constant positive attitude. Successful networking interactions usually produce a positive outcome that just may shorten your job search.
Ernie Russom is the Executive Director of the Executive Search and Staffing Firm The Westview Associates. The Westview Associates provides customized employee searches within the Accounting, Finance and Administrative Arenas. Ernie is also the Co-Chair of the job search group Joseph’s People of Central Delco, in suburban Philadelphia, PA. Ernie can be reached through erussom@thewestviewassociates.com.
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