NETWORKING OR NETWREKING?

Welcome to the game...the game of BUSINESS. Where how well you play will depend on following the rules. Like all games, there is an objective. Here, it is to establish RELATIONSHIPS by collecting useful and worthwhile business cards or email addresses for follow-up. Events usually take place in elegant or relaxed venues. There will be obstacles like free flowing vodka and dip with chips (or is it chips and dips?) to navigate at every turn. Your opponents? everyone else in the room with your exact agenda. So come on! Let's play......

1. Decide if the event will serve your contact needs. If you are an advertising executive, how well will your time be served at an event for recent University of Michigan graduates?
2. Prepare a quick mental brief to share about who you are and what line of work you are seeking.
3. Place your name tag just below your RIGHT shoulder. As you shake hands, the eye will see that first.
4. Enter the room and circulate-key in on someone or a group that catches your interest.
5. Smile and make eye contact, listen until you are included.
6. Introduce yourself when there is a pause.
7. Spend only a few moments with each group. Leaving gracefully by closing with a handshake and asking for a card.
8. Never hang out at the bar
9. Always keep your drink in your left hand. Keeping your right hand free to shake.
10. Never talk about sex, religion, income and health-especially yours.
11. Avoid "I"
12. Did I mention have fun?

READY..SET..HIRED!

Ready..Set...Hired!
You sent the resume. You scored an interview, but they said "no thank-you" even though you knew you were the candidate for the position. When it comes to going after the job you want and the job you feel you are qualified for, don't take NO for an answer. Separate yourself from the herd. Do your homework. Know their competition. Show the hiring firm what suggestions YOU can bring to the table. Follow up with a series of emails or quick notes showing them why you are right for the position. Do they need a new business model? Write one. Are they looking for someone to bring in new ideas? Email one (or two). Are the ads looking stale? Create a new one. Explain how you will improve the job. Finding inventive and creative ways to reach out to the hiring manager may establish the desire for the company to reach back out to you. So what are you waiting for? You all have homework to do.

interview stress survival "101"

You scored that big interview huh? Now how will you get through this? A few ways to help reduce the dreaded S-T-R-E-S-S.

PREPARE, BREATHE......... DON'T CHEW GUM

1. Re-visit the company website.
2. Stay current with online sources for any new alerts that have been posted about the firm or about their competition.
3. Intimately know the contents of your resume/portfolio
4. Arrive 10 Minutes before the scheduled interview to become familiar with your surroundings.
5. Visualize yourself relaxed and confident. Create a daydream during which you have successfully landed the job of your dreams.
6. And, oh yeah, don't chew gum.