Networking strategy - Part8

CONDUCTING YOUR INFORMAL INTERVIEW

6 key info to gather

The importance of your informer

This is your first step in the door of your target company and you would not like to miss it. Make sure to have previously gathered as much information on the company as you can, online and from your networks, in order just to assess with the informer and validate the impression you have, based on your assumptions.

What you want to know

1- Basics

-         Foundation date

-         Founder

-         Number of employees

-         Revenue

-         Main products

-         Industry

-         Locations

2- Strategy

-         Mission or vision

-         Innovation

-         Top 3 goals

3- Challenge

-         3 main current projects

-         3 struggles the company is facing

-         3 main competitors

-         Position on the market

4- Reputation

-         Web presence

-         Recognition

-        Partnership

-        Recent news

5- Ethic

-        Values

-        Working environment

-        Advancement

-        Management style

-        Training

6- Salary

-        Wages / advantages

Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Author - Kevin Simonnet

Networking strategy - Part7

HOW TO GET INTRODUCED #4

The intentions behind the scene

Bear in mind that you’re a stranger to this person and he is kindly offering you his time. If I can say “kindly”, because the actual motivation of someone is not really to be ‘kind’ to others, fortunately.

6 Tips

Just like you, this person is looking for:

1- Ego flattering

Everyone likes to be considered as reliable and important. That consolidates and adds credibility to their inner beliefs.

2- Pairs

As the saying goes "Birds of a feather flock together" people want to meet like-minded others that share the same behaviour so that it is comfortable to get along with.

3- Personality

This has got a lot to do with the level of self-confidence. Unconsciously, you tend to recognize yourself in a person that demonstrates the same self-assurance. Or even, admire someone that has reached to an upper level, that is called “charisma”.

That is why people liaise with others not only in their specific field, but at any level. Hence, the beauty of networks!

4- Common interests:

Your informer is bringing with him the gate pass to your target company. You have to think about what you bring to him then.

You don’t have to look far away: just consider his personal interest. This person accepts the opportunity to extend his networks because he considers that it is not strong enough yet or because he wants to strengthen it even more!

5- Come up with a gift, not "empty-handed"
You have to bring something to the table that will enhance his networks. It can be in terms of expertise, knowledge etc.  
You represent (as a sales person, for example) this potential of a growing network; or just simply (and I particularly like this one), with your personality: because your informer will have discovered someone with a great potential to follow.

6- Pleasure:

We all need an interest to feed our motivation. If you find the way to please your interlocutor and bring him this interest, then you will get along in a relaxed conversation and the painful issue of job inquiry will turn into a delightful conversation.

For example, many veterans enjoy talking about their expertise on a market or, particularly new hires, how they beat competition and could give you valuable lessons about getting into the company.

Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Author - Kevin Simonnet

Networking strategy - Part6

HOW TO GET INTRODUCED #3

1. The introducer

How to consider your introducer

Great chance is that he knows about this company or even recommends another informer.

Generally, your introducer will be someone you know, at least an acquaintance.

That allows you to be more comfortable at soliciting help, asking underlying questions on an informal basis. But this is no reason to under consider him: pay as much attention to the introducer as to your target person!

Be careful to respect a reasonable distance.

5 gifts to offer

• Deserve it!

By asking the person to pass on your introduction, you’re asking him to put his credibility on the line for you, meaning he potentially put his reputation at risk.

You have to consider it realistically and before asking, think whether this person has sufficient elements to introduce you and reliable reasons to trust you.

If not, then you may set this person has your new intermediary target. And scroll back to the 1- The informer to find an informational introducer to this person.

If you’re still there, then consider the interest of your introducer: why would he do this?

• Image or "personal brand"

Through you, it is his image that you represent. In accordance, you have to reassure him that you will “promote” him in a decent way. It can be by being professional, respectful and.. successful ! at your interview.

I mean, the outcome doesn’t necessarily have to be that you are offered the job, but it can also be that you appeared to be a great person that is worth to know and have in a network.

• Interest

Moreover, one of the purposes of relationship is sharing interests. You have to bear in mind this win-win outcome. You have to bring something to the table. It can be a project you’re working on, an opportunity of business … or simply, but not the least, your great personality.

• Underlying question

Great chances are that your introducer knows about the company. At least, you can validate the perception you have from investigating online.

It may appear that the introducer you wanted to reach is not actually the more appropriate person. And then be re-geared to another one.

• Informality and fun!

Even if it is more likely to state on a friendly basis, you still have to be professional. Think about the image you give him, that might whether give him the final assurance to help you  …or not.

Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Author: Kevin Simonnet

Networking strategy - Part5

FIRST CONTACT WITH YOUR INTRODUCER

7 steps to follow

Here you are! You have identified an informational contact and you introduce yourself to request an informal meeting.

1- Identify you clearly:

Mention what you have in common that made you come to is profile to contextualise your approach.

2- Show gratitude and respect

You are in demand and this person is kindly helping you in your career. The least you can offer is to reward him with consideration.

Moreover, bear in mind that there is a great chance this person knows your target contact and could influence in the good or the bad way.

3- Be clear about your intention

Explain clearly what type of information you’re looking. Go straight to your point in simple words. Don’t beat around the bush.

4- You’re not asking for a favour

Explain what lead you to him as conducting your research on what interests you and that you would like to get a larger and more precise insight. You can assess that you’re not asking for any favour by stating it clearly.

5- Demonstrate your credibility

Tell the person your achievement to assert your legitimacy at asking for such information and what you are pursuing.

6- Invite in a call to action with a time limit

Define what type of exchange you want and how long it will take. You can suggest appointment date. Also, give him an open choice for another way of discussion.

7- Prefer a face to face interview

Despite the evident benefit of a personal contact, you don’t know the actual network range of this person (might even know personally your target contact !) and the other opportunities that could come out of the conversation.

Example:

Hi (name),

I found your Linkedin profile:

-          through (name of the Linkedin group, networking event)

-          after (meeting,  on this particular occasion)

I have x years of experience as a (position title) and I’m looking for my next career move, transition.

Interested by (company), I’m asking my networks to have an insight of what is their value, goals, strategy, struggles etc before going any further with a job inquiry

In fact, I believe that (my achievement: skills, background, project) and career aspirations could be a great fit with (the company, “job title currently posted”).

Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Author: Kevin Simonnet

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Currently working at a farm to extend my Working Holiday Visa, I have no Internet connexion but will do my best to continue feeding with interesting tips&tricks to help you develop your networks with social media!
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Networking strategy - Part4

ROUND THE BASE OF YOUR TARGET CONTACT

Step back to have a wider view

Before going "head first" in.. the wall, as I previously said, take the time to follow the protocol and will be pleasantly surprised by the result and have your efforts rewarded.
The idea is to walk around your target to collect as much information as you can and get closer and closer while surrounding it.

Find an informational contact

It can be someone in your level 2 or 3 LinkedIn network, or a friend that knows someone in the company you're targeting, or the author of an article interviewing your target hiring manager..

Be creative. I'll develop it in a next post.

The right approach

First, you have to consider that you’re asking for information, not a favour. It means that this person, even though in the position of helping you, would be likely to inform you, not to please you.

To keep an informal distance, present it as an investigation.

Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Author - Kevin Simonnet