Pssst – Want to Know a Networking Secret?

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Networking is an important part of job hunting. There’s no two ways about that. People who are successful at
finding jobs tend to have large networks that they utilize completely.

• They have a list of people that they can call on when they need help.

• They have a list of companies that they want to work for.

• They have a list of people in those companies that they can contact.

• They know what they want to do in a job.

• They ask for more contacts.

Those are the fundamentals of networking. You cannot avoid it and if you want a job you need to implement and use these fundamentals.

But there is a secret beyond those fundamentals that you should know about. Want to know what it is?
GIVING!

Yes, giving is an important part of networking, whether you are networking online or networking in real time. You need to give VALUE, you need to give with AUTHENTICITY, and then you will receive in return!

How can you give in your networking efforts in order to get more back?

• Give someone a reference on LinkedIn.

• Refer a potential client to someone.

• Offer personal support.

• Share your expertise.

Social media can be a great way to do this with a minimal time investment but you can do this just as easily by phone, through email, or in person.
GIVE and you shall receive!

Prepare for Your Interview!

One of the best things you can do when you have an interview is be prepared.  If you are prepared you are more likely to be relaxed and able to answer questions.

Did you know that the interviewer is likely to make a decision about whether to hire you in the the first 10 minutes (or less!)?

Check this video out for tips on:

• Appearance
• Eye contact
• Your handshake
• Your "sales pitch"
• What if you were fired from your last job?
• Using examples

Carolyn Bigda of Money Magazines answers some commonly asked questions:

Why Belong To A Professional Organization

Should you belong to a professional organization?

That will depend on what your purposes in life are.

If your goal in life is to learn as much as possible and always be advancing in your knowledge then, yes, you should join a professional organization.

If you just want to have a job and get yearly minimal raises, then no, you don’t need a professional organization.

If you want to be exposed to new opportunities for learning, new opportunities for advancement, new opportunities to meet people within your industry, then yes, you should join a professional organization.

If you are content to talk to the same people every day and to hold the same position for many years to come, then no, you don’t need a professional organization.

If you want to attend conferences, conventions, and workshop where you get to travel, meet interesting people, learn from each other, exchange ideas and more, then yes, you should join a professional organization.

If you’re content with your feet on the ground – and in one place – and don’t to expose yourself to new knowledge, then no, you don’t need a professional organization.

If you would like to find a mentor that can advise you on your career path, introduce you to influential people, and help you get your name out, then yes, you should join a professional organization.

If you don’t want any help and are sure you can do it on your own, then no, you don’t need to join a professional organization. Have you got the idea? Professional organizations can help you a lot in your career by exposing you to people, ideas, place, and opportunities.

So unless you are content to stay exactly where you are for a long time, check out some of the professional organizations for secretaries. The International Association of Administrative Assistants, The Association of Executive and Administrative Professionals, and The Association of Administrative Assistants are three organizations that you should look into. They all have both US and Canadian chapters.