Mistakes by rookie networkers. They should all be Chopped!

Did you see Chopped the other night? In case you’re not familiar with it, it’s a cooking show with four chefs, and the one who makes the worst dish for each round (appetizer, main course, dessert) gets “chopped.” I couldn’t believe what happened. One of the guys was making his main course, and right at [...]

Are you guilty of using LinkedIn’s list of overused buzzwords?

Did you see the article this week from LinkedIn where they talked about the most overused buzzwords in members’ profile summaries?  (http://www.forbes.com/sites/meghancasserly/2011/12/13/the-most-over-used-business-buzzwords-of-2011/) Their premise is that if you’re trying to sound unique and using the same words as everyone else, then, you’re not so unique.  They have a point. Do people need to revisit their [...]

Introducing yourself at an event… are you seizing the moment?

Last week, I was in a meeting full of very impressive businesswomen.  At one point during the meeting, every person stood up and took the time to introduce themselves.  I don’t know if people realize what an incredible opportunity this is.  The chance to own the floor, if only for a minute, during someone else’s [...]

How do you build relationships if people are scared to talk to you?

I often say that it takes a lot of little impressions to make a big impression.  And it’s with this in mind that I think about the idea of approachability. It’s hard to build relationships when people feel like they can’t even talk to you. Have you ever said hello to people, only to have [...]

Are you interviewing for an executive role? How are you coming across? It may be different than what you think?

Recently, we were helping a company find some candidates for an executive-level position.  Early in the process, we brought people in for a quick meet-and-greet.  And those who couldn’t make it, we did a video conference.  Boy, can you learn a lot about a person when you see how they act in person.  What a [...]

Lessons Learned in the Job Search

I was speaking with Mike, one of our Executives Network members, recently about his job search.  He said it was certainly the hardest thing he’d ever done.   And while he felt like he was close to landing, he had a few lessons he learned in the process. WHEN TO PREP FOR THE INTERVIEW Don’t prep [...]

Keith Ferrazzi asks…Are the relationships you’ve built today the ones that will help you succeed in the future?

Your network is your net worth.  That’s what Keith says.  Keith Ferrazzi, bestselling author of Never Eat Alone and Who’s Got Your Back, joined us for a webinar on Building Relationships That Matter.  Listening to him was extremely enlightening.  I consider myself pretty good at networking, and somewhat of an above average relationship builder.  But, [...]

What’s the difference between and video resume and a train wreck?

Nothing!  That’s what!  Absolutely nothing!  I saw a video resume the other day.  It was the best video resume I’ve ever seen.  But for the record, I’m not a huge fan of video resumes (to put it lightly).  For the most part, I think they’re a huge waste of time, energy and euphoria.  Euphoria on [...]

Are you worth recruiting?

If you know anything about me, you know that I’m really into football.  And I mean really into it!  One Saturday, last month, was a tough day.  Three big games on television at the same time.  Should I watch Ohio State and Penn State battle it in the Big 10?  Or maybe Stanford and Oregon [...]

How do you get out and network when you have a physical injury?

Well, there’s no easy way to hide an injury – unless you do all of your networking over the phone. Diane, one of our Executives Network members, recently had a spinal cord injury from a horseback riding accident. Fortunately, she’ll be okay, but it’s been a setback in the job search.  She’s in a brace [...]