Networking Online

How do you network with people online in your career field? It’s surprisingly easy, and I’ll give you a few ideas that I use.
1. Comment on people’s blogs. You ought to read blogs, even if you don’t write, and when you see something interesting, comment. If you do so regularly, you’ll be building a contact.
* Note – Make your comment thoughtful. Don’t comment to comment.
2. If you have a group on Twitter or Facebook, where people post a status. Respond to something that you find interesting. Another type of comment that builds a bond.
3. Engage in a discussion or debate in a forum online. If someone posts a question, or you think there is more to add, something to correct, or you would like more information, respond. The back and forth that I’ve seen in many forums has built some fairly strong friendships. Even among people that have never met in person.
It’s not hard, and it doesn’t have to be a daily thing, but it ought to be a regular effort. Take some time every week, just a couple 15 minute sessions a week and flip through the places that attract you online and engage people.

Interviewed by Professional Development Virtual Chapter

Kathi Kellenburger, fellow MVP and friend, pinged me recently for an interview for the Professional Development Virtual Chapter. This is one of the groups at PASS that tries to focus on a specific area, as opposed to move chapter based user groups that are location based.

She interviewed me through email and the interview is live, and you can check it out. It’s short, but I give out some of my thoughts on building your career and focusing on professional development.

Getting Started Networking

I wrote recently that networking was a part of your Modern Resume, but what does that mean? How do get started?
Here’s a short list of things to do to get started.

1. Make a list of people that you have worked with and get along with.
2. If you don’t have contact information for these people, check and see if they are on Linked In, Facebook, Plaxo, or somewhere else.
3. If they are, connect with them.
4. If they aren’t move, make a mark and set them aside for now.
5. Contact one person that you knew well, and initiate a conversation. If you can have coffee, lunch, etc. with them try, but reach out, and try to stay connected.

Networking is about keeping a bond with people in your career. It can be a friendly bond.  That’s it. Even if you’re not looking for a job, just make a small effort to keep in touch with people that you know.

A Personal Development Plan

I’ve talked a lot about various ways in which you can build your personal brand and make a more impressive modern resume, but I haven’t necessarily given a great structure for how to do that.

I was sent this link on a personal development plan by a friend and I think it’s great. Putting things down on paper brings a little personal pressure to you and makes it more likely that you’ll follow through.

I’ll blog more on this topic later, but for now, check out the article. It has some good advice.

Networking

One of the things I’ve been talking with a friend quite a bit about is networking. We are talking about different types of events that are coming up and how to incorporate some networking into the events and help people contact each other.

It reminds me that networking should be a good slice of your Modern Resume. It’s not just a question of references, but also contacts, referrals, and queries that your network can make on your behalf. The more others know about you, and the more comfortable they feel about your skills, the more likely they’ll help you in a job search.

I need to write more posts on this topic, but for now, make sure you have some sort of network out there in your field. LinkedIn, Plaxo, etc, make this easier, but it’s up to you to ensure that you cultivate a network of people that you know professionally.

Speaking at Pensacola SQL Saturday

I saw that my session for the Modern Resume was accepted for the SQL Saturday #22 in Pensacola on June 5, 2010. If you’re in the area on that Saturday come on by.

Have a Plan

A friend posted this link about having a Professional Development Plan, and how to build one. It's a general link, but it has some good advice. It isn't technical in nature, but rather it seeks to get you to think about what's important to you and then put those down into a plan.

Worth the read.