Posts Tagged "networking"

The new hustle

Posted by talda on Jul 20, 2011 in Career, TPS Reports | Comments Off

Since deciding to undergo a career makeover, if you will, I’ve been facing a bit of an uphill battle when it comes to actually getting people to pay attention to me. Yes I have an MBA but in all actuality, I have very little marketing experience so I couldn’t employ the usual “send out a 100 resumes and hope one bites” approach. Besides, with the amount of people out of work and/or also looking for “green pastures,” there are a lot of people competing for the same job.

Don’t y’all know I have plans for my future?! I need this!

So knowing all of that, I have to get a little more creative. If I learned one thing in my years of working, it’s that who you know is just as important, if not more, than what you know. I used to feel conflicted about this: it didn’t seem fair for someone to get access to a job on account of knowing the right people and not necessarily based upon what they know. However, I’ve come to realize that sometimes knowing the right people helps to open doors to opportunities you might otherwise not have known about. Networking works: it’s how I landed my last gig. Plus, they are an invaluable source for information and career advice. Who better to talk to than people who have done it before?

My old job has been a treasure trove for industry contacts and I have had the opportunity to meet some great individuals that have been really helpful just in the time and advice they’ve given me, often times based solely because someone I knew thought they would be a great person to speak with. I am continually amazed at their generosity considering that they didn’t know me but were happy to carve out some time to meet with me and chat about their careers and introduce me to more people. But I’ve also found that people are willing to chat even if you don’t know them. One of the folks I talked with, a former coworker, was someone I randomly reached out to while I was in college to discuss his job, so talking with him kind of brought us full circle.

I’m feeling really good about my own personal career plans following the networking meetings. I even received some confirmation on what I have been thinking about and am gaining confidence in pulling this whole thing off. Now if I can only settle down and write out my proposal.

On a related note, while skipping through the Internet during some basic social media research, I came across Antonia Harler’s blog post on why she is worth hiring. I thought it was an ingenious idea and I really wish I thought of it myself. Reading through it made me think about my own self-worth [in the working sense] and began to think this would be a great exercise for myself [I did find that I agreed with a few of her statements for myself]. Here are five reasons why I am worth hiring:

1. I’m willing to learn. I don’t know everything nor do I act like I do. Learning is a lifelong process and everyone has some capacity to learn something new. I’m always interested in developing new tricks. Tell me how I can improve myself. I want to know this! This is why I went back to school and also why I’m now researching more about social media and how to use it within the framework of marketing. Learning doesn’t stop so why should I?
2. I am comfortable taking risks. Look, I am not a loose cannon by any means but I’m not a stick in the mud either. I know when it’s time to veer off the beaten path and when it’s time to stay on. I took a risk in deciding to attend Michigan [Go Blue!] sight unseen. While most people visit a school before deciding, I first step foot on campus the day I moved into my dorm. And I loved every minute of it, so while I may not always take risks, I always make the ones I do take matter.
3. I’m optimistic. Sometimes I think I’m a Disney movie come to life [except without the singing. And animals.] but what’s the point of doing anything if you don’t believe it could actually happen? I honestly believe pretty much everything I put my mind to doing is possible and in my experience, it has been. Go to college? Did it. Get a job in the sports industry? Check that one off twice. Go back to school to get my MBA? Done. So what’s keeping me from achieving my next whim? Nothing. Sure there was a lot of background work involved but I gave myself a goal and accomplished it, which is all that matters.
4. I’m not afraid of failing. Don’t get me wrong: I do not like to fail and try really hard to not fail, but I know if I gave something my very best effort and it was not the success I had hoped it would be, it is not the end of the world. We’re not always going to be successful in every endeavor but knowing that gives me the confidence to give it a shot anyway. It’s not like I have anything to lose. If it doesn’t work, just step back, reevaluate and try again. I do not let the fear of failing keep me from try to accomplish a goal. You really only fail when you don’t try.
5. I can make you laugh and, most importantly, I can laugh at myself.

There’s nothing more annoying than someone who can’t take a joke. Don’t be that person.

And here’s a free one for you: You need someone to take the lead? I’m your girl. I’m kind of Type-A so I do have the habit of taking on leadership roles but I also relish the opportunity to take ownership of a project. I also am fairly adept at managing and coordinating between different groups of people. After completing scores of group projects in undergraduate and graduate school AND wrangling professionals several years older than myself [with egos to match] I’m pretty comfortable with my leadership style. I have learned that it takes a balance of support, structure and a touch of ego-stroking [where necessary] to engage your team and motivate them to work together.

So there you have it, my five [okay, six - I count like I'm in the Big Ten] reasons why I am worth hiring. So I have a little favor to ask of you: please feel free to tweet, Google+, and pass this post on for me. I really appreciate your help!