Network Like a Man

Today's blog post is from The Art of Manliness (although I'm sure this advice is good for everyone):

Three months ago a good friend of mine lost his job during the 2nd round of layoffs at a struggling dotcom. He was the sole breadwinner in his household, had just bought a new home, and had three young boys under the age of 7 (one having serious medical issues). Like many of us, he faced stiff competition and a market where employers are cutting benefits. So how did he find fulfilling full-time work in 90 days? 

He dove headfirst into a job search and utilized all of his networking talents. Within a day, all of his 400 friends on Facebook knew his predicament, with a half dozen sending leads his way within hours. He put out his feelers on LinkedIn and reached back to past employers now working in various positions across a wide range of fields. He jumped on an opportunity when it presented itself and took a job that wasn’t as glamorous but paid the bills. To his surprise, it was this “consolation” job that led to a dream offer with a non-profit that had in many ways helped save his son’s life years before. 

A journey like this can’t be planned – but it can be facilitated by strong networking skills and enhanced by the realization that no man is an island. We depend on those around us, and the strength of many can overcome obstacles impossible for an individual. Every man’s quest for meaningful work or sales is directly influenced by his network; improving your ability to harness this power is the goal of this article.

Even if you're not now looking for work, it pays to keep your network up to date. Here are some tips on how to network effectively:

Step 1 – Develop a Networker’s Mentality

• Shout from the Mountain
• Think like a Business Owner
• Understand Reciprocity
• Time Is Your Most Valuable Resource

Here's a video on reciprocity.

Step 2 – Know your Networking Tools

• Modern Networking Tools
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Twitter
• MySpace
• You Tube
• Blogging
• Old School Networking Tools
• The Handshake
• The Phone Conversation
• Business Cards
• The Resume and Cover Letter

Step 3 – Look like a Professional

• Virtual Appearance
• Digital Pictures
• Email Address and Signature
• Presentation Documents
• Physical Appearance
• Your Role
• The Job Seeker
• The Salesman
• The Employer
• The Time & Environment
• Networking events before 5PM on a workday
• Networking event after 5PM
• Networking events at Convention Centers & Hotels

Be sure to check out the article for more information.

Interesting days

Today - Chocolate-Covered Peanuts Day and Clam Chowder Day

Tomorrow - Pink Day, Levi Strauss Day, Personal Chef Day, Inconvenience Yourself Day, For Pete’s Sake Day, Pistachio Day and Tell A Fairy Tale Day

Next Tuesday - World Wildlife Day, What If Cats and Dogs Had Opposable Thumbs Day, National Anthem Day, Canadian Bacon Day, International Irish Whiskey Day, Cold Cuts Day, Mulled Wine Day and Unique Names Day

Week long celebrations:

March 1 - 7: Women in Construction Week

March 2 - 8: Return Borrowed Books Week

March 2 - 8: World Orphan Week

March 2 - 8: Universal Human Beings Week

March 25 - Waffle Day, Tolkien Reading Day, Manatee Appreciation Day and Pecan Day