How to Network Your Way Into a $100,000 Job [Real-Life Story]

How to Network Your Way Into a $100,000 Job [Real-Life Story] Can you network your way into a $100,000 jobin your 20swith no degree?Itd be awesome, wouldnt it?Well, its not just a pipe dream. Thats basically what Elle Torres did.In 4 years I went from $15/hr to a six-figure job, says Torres. She did it through networking and accomplishments before finishing her degree.How did she do it? Its not what you think.1The Trouble With NetworkingWhen I say networking, chances are you hear pestering people.Thats not how Torres got that six-figure job.She started in a call center for a major healthcare companytodays equivalent of the mailroom. The salary? $25,000 a year.Her first goal? Get out of the call center and into the hospital setting.The easiest way was to target an area with high turnover.I took one of the million open clerk positions that seemed to be perpetually open, Torres explains.Next, she did one small thing differently from her peers.I made simple but noticeable improvements wherever I went, Torres says.That started with an employer-spons ored class in process improvement.I tried my hand at running a small project, says Torres. With a budget of 20 man-hours and $1,000 or less, I took the emergency department from averaging $30K or less each year to six figures a month. How? Networking.Torres didnt know how to make an emergency department 100 times more profitable. ButShe realized other people might.In her class, she met a wide range of professionals throughout the organization. One was a veteran clinician.A conversation with him gave me instant street cred with the staff, which was the support I needed to move my project through.That success earned the attention of the CFO and resulted in a position at a name-brand firm making $50,000double her previous income.The new job opened the door to for even higher-value connections, leading to yet another offer at $60K+ per year. Her focus on adding value quickly got her promoted to senior managementnot 18 months since earning $15/hr.Then, disaster struck.A massive round of layoffs destroyed Torress new dream job. The career shed poured her heart and soul into was gone in 15 minutes.But something miraculous happened.I found my inbox jammed with meeting requests from the connections I had made, Torres says.Most of the job offers would have meant a step backward. Still, she followed up with every call, text, or email. That strengthened the network shed worked so hard to build.One of those connections told her about a high-level opening. She found out what the position required and tailored her resume to match.Torres landed the unlisted position with a top tier healthcare company. The salary? A six-figure base and a very generous bonus package.Why did I emphasize unlisted?Because she couldnt have got it without networking.Nobody could.How did Torres work this miracle?She learned very quickly to do two things:Find the right people.Provide value to them.Ill show you how she did that next.2How to Pick the Right PeopleIf you had unlimited time, you could netw ork with everybody in your field.You dont.Networking sounds exhausting, doesnt it? To most, it conjures images of sending a barrage of spam emails to people who dont want to talk to you.Torres put her efforts somewhere else.Within The OrganizationFirst, Torres learned to spot key people at work.In any organization, there are people who move the business and people who are only there to punch the clock.There are many circumstances where the manager or director influences a decision more than any executive, Torres says. Its important to connect with the people who actually spark change, and not just the embodiment of some intimidating title.Does a decision-maker ask for time to consult with someone before making a decision?The biggest tell in my opinion, is verbiage. If a phrase keeps popping up in conversation, a few well-timed questions will reveal the source. Thats the influencer.A classic real life example? When an executive or upper-level manager suddenly changes his or her mind on a key issue, theres probably an influencer at work.Or if the executive suddenly starts working the phrase synergistic approach into every meeting despite never using that term before, ask him to elaborate, says Torres.That might lead you to an employee whos been a personal friend of the executive for 20 years.At Other CompaniesTorres also learned to find key people at companies she wanted to work for. Her biggest asset? LinkedIn.She uncovered key leaders by studying their companies. She also learned of them by reading articles about the industry.It matters less who youre connected to, says Torres, and more whether you share the right connections with the individual youre hoping to meet.3How to ConnectOnce Torres picked the right people to network with, she reached out.I might send a note with a line or two of how I know them, or why I want to, Torres says. She leaves her contact info and an open invite, but rarely requests a call.Honestly, a request for a call will be almost univ ersally ignored, Torres says. Im annoyed when I see it from someone I barely know, especially if theyre not in a position to add value.4After You Connect, Add ValueTorress most important lesson? Once you connect, find a way to matter.First, she tries to think of ways to help.Offer Free AdviceTry to learn your contacts challenges. Listen to them complainonline, at conferences, at work, or at social events.Id reference my own success in solving a similar scenario, says Torres, and offer free advice in a non-confrontational, informal setting.It all boils down to helping others succeed, then not trying to take credit.Winning over that influencer is about letting them tell the story, and helping them come to the right conclusion, says Torres. If they feel like its their idea, then theyre likely to do your work for you to gain leadership support.Find Someone Who Can HelpCant solve their problem? Then I would go for the next best thing, Torres says, introduce them to another connection who s an expert in that area, or offer resources to accelerate their success.Employers dont need geniuses. They need solutions. The quickest way to get hired? Be a never-ending wellspring of solutions. The ideas dont all have to come from you.Connect to Their InterestsCant fix their problem? Find key interests. Maybe youre both interested in golf, rock climbing, or a certain author.If they mention a book they liked, Torres says, respond with your (brief) thoughts on it and ask intelligent questions. That lets them show off without outright bragging.If you can do the above, youll dig up that most valuable of job search goldinternal referrals.Steve Dalton, Duke University Daytime Career Services Director and author of The 2-Hour Job Search, explains.Were operating in a trust economy, says Dalton. There are plenty of qualified candidates. But finding one that I trust, that's the hard part. That's important. If I already like you it takes a lot of data for me to override my first impression .Pro Tip: None of these networking methods will work if you discredit yourself. Dont volunteer information on any area of interest where you dont know your stuff.5Take It EasyDoes all this providing value sound exhausting?If youre not in a position to help, fall back on informational interviews.According to Steve Dalton, networking is really just another word for getting internal referrals.Theres great research by Olivia Fox Cabane who wrote a book called The Charisma Myth, Dalton says. She found that the single biggest predictor of charisma is nothing that you actually say. It's how well youre perceived to be listening.Soonce you find the right people, ask for a call, then dont talk. Ask about their career, what theyre working on thats greatanything that lets them strut their stuff.Success in your job search means bringing people's guards down, Dalton says. You need them to advocate for youeven though there's absolutely nothing in it for them. It's so much easier to call somebody u p and say, hey, your job seems really cool, Would you mind telling me about how great it is and how you do it? Who doesn't want to say yes to that?6Networking in a NutshellThis is networking.Its not pestering people.Its finding the right people, then providing value and/or finding common ground.In short, its helping people. Its building real relationships. It makes you more valuable in your current job and more in-demand with external employers.Dale Carnegie and Zig Ziglartwo of the greatest networkers of all timeboth give the same advice: You can get anything you wantif you help enough other people get what they want.Stay true to that, and youll get any job you set your sights on.Got questions? Want to share your networking story? We cant wait to hear your thoughts! Drop us a line in the comments and well get back to you right off. Lets chat!

Resume Writing Service - How to Get a Resume Made

Resume Writing Service - How to Get a Resume MadeA resume writing service in Chicago is one of the best ways to get your resume noticed. There are so many other resume writing services available on the Internet that you might be able to find a website that will help you, but what do you need to look for when choosing a service?Chicago resumes come from a variety of sources, and any service that claims to specialize in Chicago resumes would be a good choice. How does it determine which ones to use? They look at what factors and key aspects were used to create that resume.Field experience is very important. The more experience you have, the better the resume writing service can match you up with the job. Experience with your area of expertise will make you a more credible candidate for the job. For example, if you specialize in human resources, a resume writing service that specializes in human resources will be the best fit for you.Experience includes courses and seminars taken and th e various experience you have had as a student or as a graduate student. You may also want to include volunteer work, internships and travel. These are all forms of experiences that help to bring your resume and job search together.If you have taken courses, be sure to include these as well because a prospective employer may see a weak subject or an underexamined experience. Take a look at your educational background, and see if there is anything lacking. If you are not sure how to write a resume, you should consult with a professional to help you through the process.Another factor to consider is the fact that the job market in the Chicago area is very competitive, which means that if you want to get the job you apply for, you need to offer the right skills and experience. Someone who has a strong English or statistics degree may be a good candidate for a management position, but they may not be the best choice for an entry-level position. This is why it is important to take time to think about what your experience and skill set are when you write your resume.You should send the resume to various places so that the information can be seen on a regular basis. Send it out to various firms and organizations in the Chicago area, so that you get the chance to present yourself and make yourself known. The process will increase your chances of getting the job.A resume writing service in Chicago helps you get the attention you need to land that job you are looking for. The resume is just the first step to landing that job. This means that you need to follow up and to get the word out about yourself, so that you are noticed and that the job you are applying for gets the interview.

Make Mine a Million $ Business Race

Make Mine a Million $ Business Race Thanks to Leah Dossey of Blue Leaf Creative for the awesome new Career Girls logo and banner! Leah and I met on Twitter and somehow hit it off right away (yes, you can hit it off with someone through 140 character messages). I called her on the phone and knew right away that I wanted her to put my vision for Career Girls into action. I was surprised how easy the process of designing and choosing a logo was. I expected to wait several weeks and go through at least 10 concepts before I picked one out, but that was definitely not the case: we tweaked the first design she sent me and 3 days later we were done. Leah also introduced me to an awesome organization called Count Me In. This organization provides resources, community and business education for women entrepreneurs seeking to grow micro businesses to million dollar enterprises. This year, Count Me In is sponsoring a really cool contest called “Make Mine a Million $ Business” and, not surprisingly, Leah is working to put a fabulous team of women together to join the “race.” Leah explained this challenge to me as “’The Bachelor’ meets ‘The Apprentice.’” Details below: This is the year to grow your business, make money, secure your family and your future. Contrary to the tough economic news, you can visualize, create and grow a more sustainable and successful business. Join thousands of women entrepreneurs growing their enterprises, creating jobs and taking charge in the Make Mine a Million $ Business RACE. HERES HOW IT WORKS Register early, set your 2009 revenue goal at $250,000, $500,000 or $1mm. Take advantage of our recommended preparation tips before the M3 RACE begins. WHAT DO YOU GET? Starting January 27, at the click of a mouse, you will have access to experts, resources, and opportunities tailored for YOU! You are never alone. * Cutting-edge on-line business assessment with expert advice and education * Personalized “dashboard” to track your goals and annual revenue * Social network to find other M3 RACE participants and post questions * Invitations to three national educational and networking events * Opportunities to reach new national markets with partners like American Express OPEN, Readers Digest, Dell and Sams Club * Promotion through local and national TV, newspapers, magazines, radio, and blogs Prizes and national recognition for crossing your personal finish line, as well as the chance to win our Grand Prize of $100,000 cash for your business with national PR, advertising and press for your business, and other business-boosting and work-life-balancing prizes for success on the national and state level. If you are interested in joining the race or need a fabulous new logo, please contact Leah Dossey at [emailprotected] or 713-292-6537. I promise you will be impressed!

Etiquette Negotiation Tips For The Workplace ~ Part 2

Etiquette Negotiation Tips For The Workplace ~ Part 2 During  Negotiation Tips For The Workplace ~ Part 1, I told you about how I  learned  the benefits of negotiating in person or over the phone rather than through email at work.   Today I am going to share with you some more  tips  I learned in class so that you can become the best negotiator that you can be. Did you know that the most important part of a negotiation is to develop trust and a rapport with the other person?   Many times we walk into a negotiation and think only about what we want out of it but what if you take the time to  find out  what the other persons goals and objectives are also?    I think  what makes some people  great negotiators is being prepared  by researching what the other person will be expecting and desiring out of the negotiation. Here is how you can achieve your objective in your next negotiation: Know your hot buttons Know what makes you mad and when you need to take a deep breath or a break from the negotiation table.   Take a time out to reflect or think about something that makes you feel better.   Recognize what the other person is doing, suspend your emotions, control your behavior and continue to focus on your desired outcome and then respond appropriately Dont talk money in the beginning Take some time to develop a relationship with the other person and learn what their goals and objectives are before you start getting into the money discussion.   By knowing what the other persons goals are, you might find other offers or details that you can bring into the negotiation.   Reveal  a little  information and then wait for them to reveal a little more information. Decrease your self-focus  Increase  the other persons  trust in you  by decreasing your self focus nd be genuinely interested in helping them. The more information you give out, the more trust that you will be able to build.   See the deal the way they see it. Frames of reference are important Start a conversation in the area of things you have in common and where you overlap. Know your BATNA Best Alternative to Negotiated Agreement. Dont look desperate! Even if you dont have a BATNA, have confidence that you do have one. Think of another alternative that you can take instead to be stronger at the negotiation table. PREPARE Know your setting, the players, the cultural environment, the other persons motivation, objective and goal and  your reservation price your  lowest amount you can spend. Practice what-if scenarios and try role playing with another person for extra practice. Understand Dont be afraid to say, Help me understand.   Ask questions to reveal their inconsistencies and errors that my not match your information.   Dont feel pressure to close the deal.   Summarize and ask clarifying questions Use silence Remember the importance of pausing and using silence.   If you have bad news, say it and let the other person come up with a solution. Mirror Mirror the other person. Mimic their breathing and body language because  the body trumps words if you have an inconsistent message.   What is the other persons personality type? Are they an introvert or extrovert? Do your best to match the energy of the other person and  the other persons Myers Briggs Personality type. Lighten the mood There is no need to make the atmosphere intense.   Use humor and lighten the mood! Do you enjoy negotiating?   What are your tips?

Top 10 Resume Writing Services India

Top 10 Resume Writing Services IndiaThe top 10 resume writing services in India have a few things in common. They are quite affordable and they are professional. In addition, they have quite a few advantages over you. It is also easy to find the most affordable service because most India service providers do not charge for their work and you can expect them to deliver on time.As a prospective employer, it would be more efficient to have your resume written by an individual that you have nothing in common with. If this is the case, you can certainly find the money you need for the job. Resume writing is not just about writing good work history and skills. Instead, the resume should contain relevant information about your work experience, education, achievements, and even hobbies. By including such information in your resume, you are not only effectively conveying your desire to acquire the job, but you will also let the hiring company know how you will fit into their organization.You should also include your interests. This is not necessary but it is a good way to communicate that you are interested in working for the company. It should be noted that the top ten resume writing services in India are more often than not all linked to the use of local English speakers.They cater to a variety of clients and they will work with you regardless of your skills and experience, and they also specialize in different types of jobs. This is possible because they understand the importance of using native English speakers to write successful resumes. There are some other factors that can help you find the best services online.First, when you search for resumes online, you can easily compare prices. For this reason, it is best to search for the top ten resume writing services in India. It is not advisable to base your decision on the prices alone because there are many agencies that offer the same services for less. With these factors in mind, you can easily find out which agen cy has the best service in terms of price.The most important thing is that you should choose an agency that is located near your place. With the competition for business being high, many companies have moved their offices to other cities so that they can reach a bigger clientele. However, one way or another, most job seekers have realized the importance of finding the best local writing service. Therefore, it is imperative that you make a point of visiting the offices of the agencies to check if they are still able to offer the same quality of service even after relocating to other areas.Once you have chosen the agency that offers the right services, you should start looking for those people who can assist you with the job. Searching online for the best agencies will enable you to see testimonials and reviews by current and former clients. Make sure that the agency has a toll free number so that you can contact them anytime to get more information about the services offered.Lastly, you can ensure that you can be confident that the top ten resume writing services in India are trustworthy because they provide you with the best possible services. If you want to avoid scammers, you can check for websites that give you a summary of what different agencies are offering. The reviews are also posted on independent review sites.

Listing Writing Skills Resume Tips For Every Job

Listing Writing Skills Resume Tips For Every JobIf you're looking for a way to boost your chances of landing that great job, or if you just want to do better in your resume writing skills than you have in the past, there are a few things you can do. The most important of these is to get professional help when you can.A good tip for getting help when it comes to resumes is to let your friends and family know about your new job. Even if you aren't sure about the people you've got to come over for dinner, they are going to know someone who could use the job. This person can either be your friend or your cousin or your sister, and it's their turn to help you with your listing writing skills. It's a great way to find out about different writers and companies, as well as an easy way to give your family member's some extra income.Using one of the services out there, like the ones listed at caselawbook.com, is going to save you money in the long run because of the huge benefit. These sites w ill take all of the legwork out of the process. They'll come up with a sample resume for you to look at and decide if you're comfortable with what they've created. You can also get the details of a lot of these companies online.Writing a good resume can be a real challenge for many people. It doesn't have to be so difficult though. All you need to do is follow a few simple tips. They might just be the one that will get you into the best jobs.Remember that resumes should be geared towards your skill level. You don't want to have the resume written by a person who is not used to writing a resume. You also don't want to write the resume yourself. Having a company do it for you will take all of the stress off and save you a lot of time.The next thing you need to remember is that the longer the resume is the better it is. A resume needs to be short, simple, and easy to read. The content of your resume should appeal to the reader's eyes and should stand out from the rest of the resumes on the marketplace.Another great way to improve your skills is to try to use similar keywords. Make sure that your content is keyword rich and that it is relevant to the job you are applying for. Your resume should be as keyword rich as possible.Once it's time to write your resume, write it the way you always write it. Do not worry if it isn't perfect. It won't be perfect.

The New World of Work

The New World of Work While living a week without contact with the outside world, Iconvinced myself that the employment situation was improving. I began to believe that people were landing jobs, companies were feeling more confident and opening their hiring gates and that the worst was over. A girl can dream, cant she?! Then I read Peter Weddles newsletter. (You will have to subscribe if you want to read the current issue. Archives of his past newsletters are available hereand definitely worth subscribing to for free!) Peter states that the recovery will be unlike that weve ever seen before: Because whats happening today among employers is not a traditional slimming down of the workforce to cut costs during a recession. In other works, its not a temporary reduction in force. It is, instead, a permanent reduction in structure. Employers are fundamentally changing the model they use for organizing their places of work. As a result, they are eliminating positions, and those jobs are gone forever Ibelieve what Peter is saying is true. The cushy corporate jobs wont exist any longer. Well need to change what we are expecting work to be. Well need to change how we look at our careers. Were in charge. I know, it isnt fair. It goes against what we were taught to believe and expect. Well need to adjust our expectations and it will be hard work. If we accept this today, and begin planning for this new future, well be better off in the long run. You can continue to look for jobs in the Big companies and organizations, but you may find they arent what they used to be. Change your beliefs from it isnt true or it isnt fair or it isnt right to I AM IN CONTROL, I CAN DO THIS DIFFERENTLY. And, by the way, if you are interested in my 6 word Memoir (from yesterdays post) Sharing Information. Holding Accountable. Better World.

Career Corner Interview Tips from ReFocus on Careers - Face-to-face Interviews Make a Good First Impression Part II - Hallie Crawford

Career Corner Interview Tips from ReFocus on Careers - Face-to-face Interviews Make a Good First Impression Part II I recently spoke to a great networking and career search group, Re:Focus on Careers, about creating a kick ass elevator speech. Keep an eye out for all of these free interview tips in my Career Corner posts: Make a Good First Impression The outcome of the interview will depend largely on the impression you make during the first five minutes. To succeed, you must project a professional, competent and enthusiastic image. Your aim is to convince the interviewer that you would be an asset to the company. Keep the following in mind: 2. Dress. Your clothing should be appropriate for the position youre seeking. Attire must fit well within the office and be immaculate. If you dont know what the typical attire at the company is, always dress conservatively: At a minimum, men should wear a neatly pressed pair of slacks, a nice polo or button down shirt and matching shoes and socks that also appear in good condition. Clothing with vivid patterns, clothing that is wrinkled, looks worn out, revealing or has holes should not be worn on the interview. Make sure your clothes match. Suits are almost always an appropriate choice. At a minimum, women should wear neatly pressed slacks, skirts, shirts and/or dresses with matching shoes. Clothing with vivid patterns, clothing that is wrinkled, looks worn out, revealing (including low cut tops and miniskirts) or has holes should not be worn on the interview. Open toed shoes and stilettos are inappropriate. Bold jewelry can be distracting and should be left at home. Extra Tip from Career Coach Hallie: Dress for the job you want, not for the job you have! If you’re interested in having me speak at your next event about finding a career you love, go here: www.halliecrawford.com/appearances.html. I’d be happy to discuss! Helping you find a career you love, Career Speaker