Networking for scientists v2-final 031218
- 1. NETWORKING FOR SCIENTISTS JACKIE OBERST, PH.D. ASSISTANT EDITOR, CUSTOM PUBLISHING, AAAS JOBERST@AAAS.ORG
- 2. YOU’RE NOT ALONE IF NETWORKING MAKES YOU FEEL DIRTY W_ _H SH_ _ER S_ _ P -306 adults working at different organizations were asked to write about their experiences in networking for professional advancement or social networking to make friends. -When asked to complete the above word fragments, those who recalled professional networking wrote “WASH,” “SHOWER,” and “SOAP” twice as frequently as those who recalled social networking, who often wrote neutral words like “WISH,” “SHAKER,” and “STEP.” -Participants viewed networking to socialize and make friends as positive while networking to enhance their
- 3. WHAT IS NETWORKING? •Creating a group of acquaintances and associates and keeping it active through regular communication for mutual benefit. Networking is based on the question "How can I help?" and not with "What can I get?" Source: www.businessdictionary.com/definition/networking
- 4. END THE STINKING THINKING •‘Promotion’ versus ‘Prevention’ mindsets— adopt the former! •Think about possible shared interests with the company/person. •Think more about what you can give to others than what you can get from them.
- 7. NETWORKING FOR INTROVERTS • Introversion and shyness are not the same thing. • Introverts do better in smaller, more intimate settings, and they tend to be better listeners and more inquisitive than their extroverted counterparts. • If you're an introvert, you can make networking more enjoyable and more successful by using an approach that works with and not against your personality.
- 8. POINTERS FOR INTROVERTS 1. Quality versus quantity: Focus on two or three meaningful connections. Allow yourself to leave when done. 2. Two for one: Get a coworker or friend to join you. Touch base but don’t cling to them.
- 9. POINTERS FOR INTROVERTS (CON’T) 3. Practice makes perfect: Plan some ice- breakers or open-ended questions. Research online social media accounts of attendants. Engage in water cooler talk. 4. Exit strategy: Set a time to meet later either online or in person. Exchange business cards and take short notes on their about what you two spoke of so you can send a meaningful follow-up email. 5. Networking 101: Try taking a class or attending a seminar to help sharpen a relevant skill. You’ll naturally network and form new
- 10. NETWORKING FOR EXTROVERTS •Extroverts may seem like the ultimate networkers but their gregarious nature can also work against them. •If they aren’t aware of how they are coming across, an extrovert can either be perceived as charming or overbearing.
- 11. POINTERS FOR EXTROVERTS 1. The 60/40 rule: Listen 60 percent of the time, and speak and ask questions 40 percent of the time. Open-ended questions encourage others to engage in the conversation. Show a genuine interest in their responses. 2. Be Present: Stay focused on the person you are speaking with. Don’t blow this interaction by half-listening or looking around the room for the next person.
- 12. POINTERS FOR EXTROVERTS 3. Mind the Gap: Extroverts are pained by a pause in the conversation and will say anything to fill this void. Accept the pause and allow other people to jump in. 4. No “I” in Team: Extroverts work well as part of a team. Share anecdotes that demonstrate how you are also a team player.
- 14. ICEBREAKERS •Dale Carnegie, the author of “How to Win Friends and Influence People,” famously said that the best way to meet people is to get them talking about their favorite subject: themselves. •Most people love to talk about themselves, their work, and their hobbies. •Compliment people on clothing, jewelry. Most people have some sort of story associated with what they wear.
- 15. ICEBREAKERS-EXAMPLE QUESTIONS Work-Related: “How long have you been a member of the organization?” or “What’s your favorite and least favorite part of your job?” Location-Related (convention center, party, city): “Where did you fly in from?” or “Is this your first time at the convention?” or “What brought you here?”
- 16. ICEBREAKERS-EXAMPLE QUESTIONS (CON’T) Advice-Related: “What have you found helpful at this convention?” or “Can you recommend a restaurant or thing to do while in town?” Non-Related/Quirky: “What’s your T.V. guilty pleasure?” “When did you know you wanted to be X”? “Did you always want to be X when you were younger?”
- 17. FOLLOW-UP EMAIL/TEXT MESSAGE • Do your research. Use Google News to find out recent information about the person’s company. Check the person’s LinkedIn, Twitter, or other social media accounts to see if you have any common connections to people or places. • Refer to how you met the person (place it either in the email subject line or in the body of the text). Here are some examples: A mutual friend, xxxx, said we should talk. Nice meeting you at xxx. I enjoyed your blog post/talk/article.
- 18. FOLLOW-UP EMAIL/TEXT MESSAGE (CON’T) • Quickly get to the point. (Are you trying to meet this person for coffee or set up a phone call? Do you need career advice? Do you want to learn more about the company they work for? Do you want to congratulate them for winning an award?) • Offer value, such as an article or a website that might interest them (don’t send your resume). • Give options. Offer to meet in person for coffee or continue talking online.
- 19. THE HIDDEN JOB MARKET •Most jobs are NOT advertised. They came via word of mouth. •Although academic and government jobs are legally obligated to be advertised that doesn’t mean they are necessarily open. Often there’s a short list of candidates in the company or hiring manager’s head.
- 20. THE HIDDEN JOB MARKET (CON’T) • So how to access? Volunteer (conferences), freelance (blogs, articles), or work as a consultant. Reach out to former coworkers/labmates and let them know you’re looking. • Create a Twitter/LinkedIn account, a website, online portfolio, or a blog to highlight your professional achievements and use your existing connections. • Follow up with contacts on a quarterly or semiannual basis.
- 24. THANK YOU—SEE YOU ONLINE!