ETP Manhattan

By Scott Chase, CIO of Burke and Chase
Platinum Member of Empowering Today's Professionals (ETP) Network
Project Manager for ETP Network Lamplighter Newsletter

When I first was introduced to the new ETP Network "7 Step Job Search"© system in December I was amazed at its simplicity. My first thought was “will these steps actually work”? Well, you will be amazed at the results that I have witnessed first hand.

Let’s take a look at what each step of the system entails:

1. IDENTIFY YOUR CORE SKILLS: Seems easy enough to identify what your core skills are. Want to use about 3-5 skills. Mine are Project Management, Business Analyst, and Technical Analyst. What are yours?
2. FIND WHAT THE MARKET DEMAND IS FOR YOUR CORE SKILLS: The best way to gauge whether your core skills are in demand is to use the job site INDEED. In the search criteria enter one of your core skills, say, within a 25 mile radius of your home zip code. If your search returned 50 or more jobs, then you are golden. If not, try widening your search to 50, 75, 100 miles and see what the results are, of course, only enter the larger radius if you are willing to travel for your position. If you still don’t get enough returning on your core skills search, then maybe we need to look at a different skill set or possibly different titles for your core skills.
3. USING ONLINE AND NETWORKING RESOURCES, REVIEW JOB DESCRIPTIONS WITH THE EMPHASIS ON CORE REQUIREMENTS: Plain and simple, use INDEED or other job search resources to find positions that match your core skills. You can also use your network to find any possible openings they might know about.
4. FIND AND CALL ADVOCATES TO CLARIFY THE POSITION AND SELL IF APPROPRIATE: Here comes the clear difference in what ETP is doing as compared to other job search approaches. Find someone you know (or in some cases you don’t know) that can be an advocate for you within the company. This could be the HR recruiter for the position, someone in your network you know that works at the company, or, in my case, someone that you have something in common with. (For example: Linkedin group went to school together (alumni), etc...) Your goal is to talk to someone to clarify the position.
5. SUBMIT VALUE PROPOSITION (COVER LETTER, RESUME AND JOB DESCRIPTION) TO ADVOCATE: Once you find an advocate, now it is really time to sell yourself. Submit your cover letter a (targeted!) resume and the job description to the advocate. Make sure to mention a good time to follow-up with the advocate.
6. FOLLOW-UP WITH ADVOCATE: Follow-up at the agreed upon time.
7. Repeat. Repeat this process until you have landed! So there it is, in 7 steps; now let’s take a look at my own personal example of how the system worked for me.
   

I found a position on INDEED I thought was a 95% fit for my experience and core skills in the HRIS analyst arena. (Step 1, 2 and 3) I then proceeded to step 4, to find an advocate to clarify the position. I looked for a recruiter at the company that might be in my network. I could not find one, so then I opened up my search on Linkedin to include everyone in HR that worked at the company.

I found a couple of matches, one, in particular, looked like he might be in the department in HR where the position might have resided. I clicked on the link in Linkedin and found he was a level 3 connection, but, he was also part of the same project management group that I also belong to and he was accepting messages from the group. I then sent him a note via Linkedin introducing myself and if he would be willing, based on my value proposition, to help me clarify the open HRIS Analyst position. After I sent the note via Linkedin I continued to search for information about the company, including phone numbers for there main HQ office and looked in Linkedin for more advocates.

Before I could continue my search for advocates an e-mail appears in my inbox. It is from the gentleman, whom I have not met before, about my Linkedin request to clarify the position. He stated that if I sent him my value proposition, (Step 5) and, if it is as good as a match as I said it would be, he would be happy to personally walk my resume over to the recruiter for the position. I submitted my cover letter, targeted resume and job description to my new advocate, with the stipulation that if he thought I was not a good candidate for the position, I would not want him to
submit my information to the recruiter. He reviewed the information and said I was a really good match and handed it to the recruiter.

I received a call for the recruiter to do a phone interview with him and then we set up a formal interview for the following week. I then followed-up with my advocate to thank him and to keep him informed of my progress with the position. (Step 6) The most amazing thing about my person example was the speed in which things took place. I saw the position at 8:00 AM, found and got response from advocate at 9:30 AM, got called and had phone interview with the recruiter by 10:30 AM!

Granted, the speed in which this took place was not typical. But, believe me when I say it, THE ETP Network "7 STEP JOB SEARCH"© WORKS!

Labels: career advice, career management, career news, group, job listing, job opening, job opportunity, job post, job site, jobs, new york networking, ny, online jobs, personal branding, resume tips

From Empowering Today's Professionals (ETP) Network's Lamplighter Newsletter

Networking is about building and maintaining relationships. How to impart the right message to others about ourselves in order to avoid misunderstanding and foster trust – that is where
networking etiquette comes into play.

Proper networking etiquette is essential if you want to succeed.

These items can help:

• When meeting someone or attending a meeting, always be on time.
• If you can contribute – offer to help.
• Ask permission first before you disclose sources of your information or contact.
• If it can help others – share information that you learned during networking.
• Inform your contacts of your progress.
• Keep your promise if you say you’ll do something.
• Be considerate - Find out the best time of the day that is convenient to contact people.
• Be professional and avoid errors when writing emails or sending letters.
• Before you meet someone, do research so you will be able to ask relevant questions.
• Always dress appropriately, when meeting a contact. Remember, the manner you present yourself will reflect on you and on the person who referred you.
  

REFERENCE: - workbloom.com/networking/networking-etiquette.aspx

At the Event

1. Arrive on time. Before entering the event, preview the guest list to target at least 2 or 3 people to meet during the event.
2. Introduce yourself – both with first and last name, company affiliation (without titles), and a smile.
3. Offer a firm and friendly handshake.
4. Practice your introduction. Plan an effective way to describe yourself and the products orservices you provide. Avoid long and boring introductions.
5. Exchanges of business cards should be meaningful. Only exchange your card: when a person asks for one or when you offer assistance with something and want them to follow-up with you.
6. Join a group conversation perceptively. Observe and stand quietly for a second or two. Wait for a break in the conversation or for someone in the group to look your way. If no one looks in your direction and everyone continues the conversation without any break or glance in your direction, exit immediately with a polite “excuse me.”
7. Avoid monopolizing people’s time. Avoid having your time from being monopolized by the conversation by saying, “It was a pleasure speaking with you, please excuse me.” Then smile and move on. someone else, as well. After exchanging meaningful information, move graciously from
8. Introduce yourself to your tablemates before taking a seat.
   

After the Event

1. Follow up with new contacts. Sending a personal handwritten note – by regular mail within 24 to 48 hours – to every contact you met and connected is the best. Emailing and placing a personal phone call is also appropriate.
2. Keep your promises to the contacts you made.
3. Obtain permission from the people concerned before sharing information. When you have gotten overall permission to share someone’s information, send an email to both parties, stating: “I am referring Ana Smith to John Adams, in hopes that you two may be of service to each other. “ Then include full contact information of both people. This way every one is properly informed.
   

REFERENCE: Syndi Seid’s Advanced Etiquette – www.advancedetiquette.com

Labels: career advice, career management, career news, group, job listing, job opening, job opportunity, job post, job site, jobs, new york networking, ny, online jobs, personal branding, resume tips

Take a look at this:
http://etpnetwork.memberlodge.org/Default.aspx?pageId=141410