IEEE Networking WorkshopAICN Consultants’ Workshop

November 4, 2000

Presented by

Carl E. Frost

Importance of Networking

• Experts say networking is the best way to find a new job

• 3/4 of all new positions are found through networking

• It’s how you tap the ‘hidden job market’• Lets you take control of your job-search

Take Control by Networking

• Traditional search tools maximize employer’s range of choices, not yours

• By networking, you decide who to call on• By networking, you choose situations

where the odds are more in your favor• Favoritism doesn’t drive the networking

process. Determination does

IEEE Job Search Results

Re-Employed

as engineer

Employed asother thanengineer

Employedpart time

Selfemployed

Unemployedvoluntarily

Unemployedinvoluntarily

Retired

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

Tapping Into Your Network

• References• Present / former managers and colleagues• Fellow IEEE members• Old school frinds and alumni association

members• Friends, family, neighbors, etc

EXERCISE #1Taking The First Steps

Participants will pair off and list everything the two of them have in common.

The winning team is the one withthe longest list.

Expanding Your Network

• Phone calls• Letters or newsletter• Join a professional society or civic

organization• Internet Newsgroups• Technical Conferences, workshops• Someone working where you’d like to• Recruiters, headhunters

EXERCISE #2Scavenger Hunt: Who?

• Shares your first initial?• Serves as an officer in a non-IEEE association?• Worked outside the US?• Has workde for a company while it went public?• Has more than two graduate degrees?• Has been to the White House on official business?• Has published a book?• Has gotten a job using the Internet?• Has traveled to more than three continents?• Has worked for one company more than 15 years?• Speaks a foreign language fluently?• Has worked on a political campaign?• Has more than 4 children?• Can fill in the blanks in this series:

– 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 27, 30, – 33, 36, 39, 43, 47, 51, 56, 62,__,__,__,__, 10

Networking Techniques

• Prepare a 60-second biography or description

• Ask for information, don’t ask for a job• Pass along information• Don’t use pressure tactics• Always carry business cards• Follow-up

EXERCISE #3:Form Groups of 4 to 6 People

• Take out or make business cards• Write expectations on back of card• Exchange cards• Give 60 second bio and state expectations• Others offer suggestions or leads• Go home with new contacts and needs

Conclusions

• Networking is a powerful tool for job search AND career growth

• Start your network while you’re working– You have more contact opportunities while

you’re working

• Networking skills are more important as we change jobs more and more frequently

• Measure your job security & career growth potential by the strength of your network

IEEE-USA Consultants’ Resources

• Business and Consulting Page– http://www.ieeeusa.org/business/index.html

• Consultants’ Services Page– http://www.ieeeusa.org/business/aicn.menu.html

• Local IEEE Consultants’ Networks– http://www.ieeeusa.org/business/network.aicn.html

• National Directory of Electrotechnology Consultants– http://www.ieeeusa-consultants.org/directory/search.html