How's Your Network

June, 2009
by Denise P. Kalm, DPK Coaching and CA, Inc.

About the Author
Denise P. Kalm, CA, Inc. formerly Cybermation

Denise Kalm has 30 years experience in IT including application programming, enterprise systems management and performance management/capacity planning at Pacific Telephone and Bank of America. She moved to vendor land in 2000, spending 5 ½ years with BMC on the EPA product line, then recently became the senior product marketing manager for enterprise job scheduling products at CA, Inc., formerly Cybermation. She is a regional officer of CMG, has held many volunteer positions within that organization and is a frequent contributing author. Prior to entering the IT profession, she was a biochemical geneticist. Her hobbies include flying, Jazzercise, writing and scuba diving. Her book, Lifestorm, on the Oakland Hills fire, is available on Amazon. She is an executive and personal coach as well, offering phone and in-person coaching.

Think I'm talking about TCP/IP here?  Before you pull out a sniffer or run a trace, you need to check on the health of your professional network.  Do you even have one?  If you're a CMG member, you do have a network, but just like the network in your enterprise, your professional network requires maintenance. And you do have tools; you're not on your own.

  1. Business cards - if looking for a job, invest in some elegant business cards that give personal information.  These are also useful when you want to have an identity that is distinct from your work persona.
  2. An email account - consider a simple choice like first name.last name@gmail.com.  Keep the cute or hobby-related emails for friends and internet shopping.  Pick something you would be comfortable using in any situation.
  3. Up-to-date resume - even if you aren't looking, you need to keep your resume current, fresh and ready to go.  The best opportunities don't knock when you need them; they can appear at any time.  Be ready.
  4. Professional memberships, like CMG - join and then be active in the organization. If your network is currently limited to the people you work with or go to lunch with, you are missing out.
  5. Linked-In - get in here.  You need to be invited by a current member, but it isn't hard to find someone.  Join, fill out your profile and begin to build your online connections.  You can also join groups for virtual networking.  Head hunters cruise Linked-In; you must be here.  Plaxo is another similar network, but it is newer and doesn't seem to have quite the same reputation.
  6. Facebook - not as much a tool as a potential trap.  Make sure that your presence on Facebook can stand scrutiny.  Everyone will look here.
  7. Google Alerts - put your name in as an alert and have Google do the work for you. The engine will send you emails when it finds your name, allowing you to take corrective action if there is something that you don't want people to see on the Web.

Now, with tools in hand, it's time to get out and network. Your professional network should be comprised of people who can help you AND who you can help.  Why is that important?  When you seek out your network for help, especially for large requests like a job referral or a reference, people will be checking the balance on your Favor Bank.  Keep that in mind when someone asks for help.  The more you do and the more you have to offer, the bigger your balance, and the more you can reasonably request.  Volunteer at your professional organizations and develop your skills and your reputation.

There are two types of networks.

  1. Real - in-person networking. This is in some ways easier and in other ways harder.  You can make stronger and deeper connections in person. But it takes more time, more effort and for some, meeting strangers is just very hard.
  2. Virtual - online networking through social networks, blogs, Twitter and email.

I didn't mention the telephone because cold calling is not always the best way to start. Once you have established a network, you can grow it through a referral, and the initial contact may be by phone when you have a connection in common.

Whatever the method, when you reach out to a new person to add to your network, think win:win.  Even if you are actively seeking a job, build the relationship first before asking for help. Show up at your best.  In person, be professional, but don't be afraid to show your distinctive style.  Be memorable.  Create an elevator pitch (or several) - 1-2 sentences that tell who you are and what interests you.  You can mention you are looking, but until you have established a connection, don't ask directly for help.  That can be very off-putting.  Better that someone volunteers.

Find common ground. That's why volunteering can be so great.  Working together starts you off on a good footing for a friendship and friends make the best network.  Listen more than you talk, giving them the compliment of your full attention.  Always exchange cards and make notes on the card about where you met the person (and any other information you want to remember).  Then, stay in touch. Contact doesn't have to be frequent, but your only contact cannot be a request for a major favor. 

Categorize your network, so you know what you have built.

And finally, look for opportunities to make deposits in your Favor Bank. Send links and articles, answer questions, mentor, co-write articles, volunteer together.

"Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one."

Jane Howard, "Families"

 

Stay tuned for another edition of "Your Career Coach.  If you would like additional information or individual coaching for your life and your career, contact me at or see my web site: www.DPKCoaching.com.