Quick Fix Ideas for a Networking Session
By Angella Nunes, Employment Advisor, Humber College
As career professionals, we have to be prepared to deal with the unexpected. I was asked to do a networking session at a college student leadership conference recently. Ten minutes before presenting, I was faced with two challenges. First, the computers promised to the group did not come through so I would not be able to use the electronic presentation that I had prepared. The second challenge was that my session was oversubscribed so the room that had been booked was not large enough to accommodate us. Thankfully, the weather was beautiful so we quickly set up outdoors. We covered picnic tables with flipchart paper and rounded up all the markers and crayons we could find. This was a very diverse group of students from all over the country, enrolled in a wide variety of college programs. The energy that they brought to the session was electrifying and so we found some creative ways to help hone their networking skills. These activities worked well for me so I thought I would share them.
Mapping a Networking Opportunity. We tell our clients that 80% of employment opportunities are found through networking and that most opportunities are no more than about 5 or 6 handshakes away (Six Degrees of Separation), but how do we demonstrate that? One way is to “map” the process of your own experience. A picture is worth a thousand words. I used my story of how I was asked to facilitate the session to illustrate how networking can be successful. As I told the story, I drew the accompanying diagram on a flipchart so that the participants were able to follow the networking path. There was a Computer Networking student in the group who offered suggestions on how to diagram. This allowed everyone to get a better picture of how the networking connections were made. The students appeared to be very appreciative of hearing my story and shared their anecdotes as well. This also led into a hearty discussion about ways to maintain new networking contacts and how to pay forward.
Tell Me About Yourself? Also called the “elevator speech”, self-introduction is essential to networking but is often very difficult for clients to develop. As a quick self-assessment exercise, participants were directed to create a storyboard or word diagram of their own life, depicting things that were important to them such as their accomplishments, interests, values and aspirations. Upon completion of this exercise, each person had one minute to present their self-introduction around the picnic table. Each table was asked to nominate one participant to present to the entire group. This was a great learning opportunity as they shared ideas for wording and sequence to effectively develop their speeches. Some also managed to obtain valuable contact information from the group for future networking opportunities.
Practicing the Handshake & Making an Exit. When a participant runs into a chatty company representative, how do they make an exit? I used a “speed dating” networking activity to illustrate this concept. Standing in groups of three or four, participants engage in a discussion about a specific topic for two minutes. At the end of the allotted time, make up a reason for someone to move out of that group to another one (tallest person, person who travelled the furthest, person who is wearing the most blue, etc). Once everyone has moved, you give another topic and the group discusses it until it is time to move again. They had a great time practicing handshakes and coming up with exit lines. It was most rewarding to hear a participant say that he left the session with “a listening ear, a story to tell and a keener sense of direction”.
Embracing Cultural Fluency
Once known as Cultural Diversity is now being referred to as ‘Cultural Fluency’. Nouman Ashraf, Director of University of Toronto’s Anit-Racism and Diversity Office talked about cultural identities that are complex at the CCIA Professional Development session on December 1, 2008.
Ashraf explained how perception of ‘other’ can affect our behaviours toward others. This was demonstrated when we placed into small groups to discuss a case study of a new employee. This employee was not from Canada and her mannerisms and food were not familiar to her Canadian coworkers. This made it difficult for the new employee to adjust to her new environment. Through the case study, we were able to discuss different ways of helping the new employee to integrate with her coworkers. One of the suggestions was to have a potluck that would allow for others to bring in their favourite dishes. Another suggestion was to create a buddy system that would help new employees to adjust to their new work surroundings.
Not only do our perceptions affect our behaviour, so do our comfort zones. When our comfort zones are valuated we also place stereotypes on certain groups. It is important to realize that even though individuals can appear to fit a certain stereotype, it doesn't necessarily mean they conduct the same behaviour. Perceptions can have a negative effect not only on yourself but on others. Therefore, give yourself permission to learn about the different ethnic groups that will allow you to be culturally fluent.
Book Review - Do What You Are: Discover the Perfect Career for You through the Secrets of Personality Type
Author: Paul D. Tieger and Barbara Barron-Tieger
Reviewed By: Sherise Bowen, Student Career Leader, Wilfrid Laurier University
This review provides a student perspective on a commonly-read resource in career planning.
Do What You Are has helped countless readers worldwide to learn about their personality and use this knowledge to make satisfying career choices. After reading it myself, I too have become an enthusiast. I have read many books that claim to be able to tell you your perfect career, but this book sets itself apart by its individualized approach to the “ideal career”. It recognizes that every person is different and therefore the concept of an “ideal career” will be different for every person.
The authors first guide the reader through the process of identifying their personality type out of the sixteen proposed by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator inventory. By identifying your type, you acknowledge important information about your individual preferences regarding the focus of your attention, the ways in which you perceive information, decision-making and interaction with the external environment. The authors then provide information about each type; their strengths and weaknesses, strategies for success and lists of careers that will employ a person’s unique strengths.
I found this book particularly helpful because it helped to put solid terminology to the different characteristics that define my personality. Through real-life examples, it related these characteristics to work-related behaviours and situations. This helped to clarify the ways in which personality type makes a difference in the context of a career.
Do What You Are helped me learn more about myself and the work environments in which I can thrive. As an introverted, rational type, careers that involved independent, analytical work with privacy and time to think were suggested. These careers may not appeal to others but the point is that they are suited to me and the dimensions of my personality. Personality is not the only factor that contributes to a good career choice, but it certainly is an important one. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to gain valuable insight into their personality and let this knowledge help them to make better, more self-aware decisions about their future.
5 Ways to Add a Little Spice to Job Searching
By Katelin Simerson, Employment Specialist, Northern Lights Canada
Encouraging job seekers can become discouraging, especially when the job market is slumping and leads are not hot. These five tried and true techniques will help spice up any job search.
Spice #1: Stop In! Encourage job seekers to use an employment resource centre: the busy flow and welcoming environment will encourage them to stay on track and keep exploring new avenues. We all know that looking for work is a full time job. Without regular connection to a job seeking environment with daily job postings and supports, job searchers may not be as effective as they could be, and may miss opportunities.
Spice #2: Network! Most job leads come from those you are connected with. Encourage job seekers to start talking to those they sit next to on the bus; or anyone with whom they interact within their social networks. When networking; make sure they let people know that they are looking for work. Share examples how networking has worked for others and they may be surprised at the help they will receive. Encourage job seekers to take full advantage of the newest way to network - joining an online professional networking website. LinkedIn and Plaxo are well known professional networks. Other social networks like Facebook can also be a great way to connect with others. Facebook has now included a Job Market section to help job searchers to connect and Craigslist also posts jobs.
Spice #3: Take a Workshop! Encourage job seekers to be a lifelong learners. While job searching, suggest they get involved in a job search/skill workshop to learn more about job search skills, interview skills, resumé, cover letter, self-marketing and networking. Many employment resource centers also allow individuals to upgrade their computer skills by providing workshops on the how to use the Internet and basic word processing. Be sure to have lots of information and workshop schedules on hand for interested individuals to sign up. One of the best outcomes from a group session is the value that the participants give to each other by encouraging each other and sharing labour market tips.
Spice #4: Pick up a book! Often job seekers use only minimal resources provided for them, such as relying on the internet. Encourage job seekers to use resources they may not have not used before. If their favourite source for information has been the yellow pages, suggest business directories. Scott’s Directory, your municipal government and local business organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce that may have excellent labour market information available. Suggest visiting a local library to find books and articles to explore a field of interest.
Spice #5: Talk to Me! You are your biggest resource to clients. Encourage them to talk to you for new tips, ideas, and to be a sounding board for what to do next. You can be both their navigator and their biggest supporter. Unemployment can have a significant effect on self esteem. Job seekers report that having someone provide encouragement and support is the service they value above all else.
CCIA/ACADOP AGM
May 28, 2009
Location: Kempenfelt Centre, Innisfil, Ontario
Two keynote speakers:
1. John Daggett, Co-operative Education Consultant, GeorgianCollege
"Millennials at Work, Building Generational Understanding"
2. Cathy Keates, Career Considerations
“Job Search Advising: All Sizzle, No Steak?"
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