The global economic slowdown has resurrected the two dreaded ‘R’ words: recession and retrenchments.
Faced with bleak outlooks, companies around the world have started trimming headcounts, the latest being Goldman Sachs in New York, which announced a plan to cut about 3,260 staff last Thursday.
What does this mean for the average person? While not many Singaporeans are expected to lose their jobs at this point, it never hurts to dust off the resume and revisit a few strategies to get back into the job-hunting game.
And where better to start than with the basics: building up a network of interesting acquaintances and useful contacts.
‘As the saying goes, ‘Rich people network, poor people just work’,’ said Ms Cecellia Telkes, associate consultant at Imageworks Asia, an image training and consulting group practice in Asia.
‘Successful people often know and surround themselves with the best of everything, for example, the best accountant, the best real estate agent, etc. So when they need something or someone, they know exactly where to go and whom to call,’ she said.
‘One of the best ways to achieve that is to meet as many people as you can, and also to ensure that you maintain that networking opportunity after the event.’
If you’re more shy than smooth, don’t worry: We bring you 10 networking tips from image consultancies Protocol Academy and Imageworks Asia.
1. Do your research
Before a networking event, brush up on two things: information about the companies and people who will be in attendance, as well as general current affairs.
The easiest way to get up to speed is by checking out the companies’ websites, suggested Ms Telkes. Most have links to recent media releases, which will give a good idea of what a company has done recently and whether it has appointed new management, for instance.
People also often make the mistake of attending networking events without first laying the proper groundwork, said Ms Teo Ser Lee, founder and director of etiquette and protocol services firm Protocol Academy.
‘They do not read enough and hence do not have sufficient topics for small talk,’ she said. The more knowledge you have of current affairs, the more likely you are to impress in a conversation, although even a quick skimming of the day’s newspaper headlines will provide fodder for conversation starters.
Ms Teo suggested being prepared with ‘at least three topics that you can talk about easily and comfortably’. These will come in handy during awkward silences or when you are seated at a table of 10 where everyone is playing with their food.
2. Take along enough name cards
Try to find out how many people are likely to be at the event and make sure you have enough name cards for everyone you meet.
If you’re in between jobs, it’s still a good idea to print your own simple name card so that people don’t have to write down your name and number, said Ms Telkes.
‘After the event, if you want to send the contact person an e-mail or a handwritten card, put your name card in there again,’ she added.
3. Set a goal
Have a target for the number of people you want to interact with. For a stand-around cocktail event, try to talk to five or six people in an hour, spending about 10 minutes with each person, suggested Ms Telkes.
‘But if you’re new at it, it’s better to go for quality than quantity,’ she said. Get to know someone better rather than aim to chat with everyone in the room.
4. Practise your introductions
Make sure you are able to introduce yourself and give a short description of what you do in less than a minute.
‘You don’t want to be blowing your own horn too much,’ said Ms Telkes.
5. Walk away from friends
Make a conscious effort to leave your comfort zone and proactively go up to strangers. This will make you seem confident and positive, said Ms Teo.
To break into a group, make eye contact with someone in the group and smile straightaway, said Ms Telkes.
‘When the other person smiles back, make your way around the group to talk to him rather than cutting through the group,’ she said.
‘Don’t feel like you’re intruding - at a networking event, people expect you to walk around and meet strangers.’
6. Watch your body language
If you are clearly nervous or ill at ease, you will make others around you uncomfortable, said Ms Teo. ‘Act confident and comfortable, even when you’re not.’
Also, wear your name tag on your right and keep your right hand free for shaking hands, said Ms Telkes.
‘Ideally you should be able to balance your drink and your plate in your left hand,’ she added. ‘Don’t take too much food at one go. Remember that you go to a networking event to meet people, not to stuff your face.’
7. Be tactful
Delicacy and tact are essential qualities in any successful networker. Do not ‘ask insensitive questions like ‘Are you married?’ and ‘How many children do you have?” Ms Teo said.
‘Also, try not to open a conversation with ‘How’s your job at XYZ company?’ The person may have just got fired or laid off!’ she added.
8. Be interested
People want to feel special, so talk to them as though they were the only ones in the room, Ms Teo recommended.
Show a genuine interest in others and engage them in the conversation. It also helps to make an extra effort to remember people’s names and use them frequently when talking to them.
Above all, do not give monosyllabic answers, she said. ‘When someone asks, ‘How’s business?’ or ‘What’s going on?’, answer with more than ‘Pretty good’ or ‘Not much’. Tell people more about yourself so that they can learn more about you.’
9. Make a good exit
Try to end every interaction on a positive note.
‘If you’ve been talking to someone and you want to move on, say something like ‘It’s been great talking to you’ rather than ‘It’s really nice talking to you’. Putting it in the past tense is sort of a hint,’ said Ms Telkes.
If you want to meet up again, arrange to give your newfound contact a call to set up lunch or a golf game, she added.
10. Follow up
After the event, make it a point to e-mail everyone that you have met, said Ms Teo.
‘It will leave a lasting impression and they will certainly remember you when you meet again.
‘If there is any potential business with anyone, follow up with a call and make an appointment as soon as you can.’
1 comment:
Don’t just work: Network
By Fiona Chan
27 October 2008
The global economic slowdown has resurrected the two dreaded ‘R’ words: recession and retrenchments.
Faced with bleak outlooks, companies around the world have started trimming headcounts, the latest being Goldman Sachs in New York, which announced a plan to cut about 3,260 staff last Thursday.
What does this mean for the average person? While not many Singaporeans are expected to lose their jobs at this point, it never hurts to dust off the resume and revisit a few strategies to get back into the job-hunting game.
And where better to start than with the basics: building up a network of interesting acquaintances and useful contacts.
‘As the saying goes, ‘Rich people network, poor people just work’,’ said Ms Cecellia Telkes, associate consultant at Imageworks Asia, an image training and consulting group practice in Asia.
‘Successful people often know and surround themselves with the best of everything, for example, the best accountant, the best real estate agent, etc. So when they need something or someone, they know exactly where to go and whom to call,’ she said.
‘One of the best ways to achieve that is to meet as many people as you can, and also to ensure that you maintain that networking opportunity after the event.’
If you’re more shy than smooth, don’t worry: We bring you 10 networking tips from image consultancies Protocol Academy and Imageworks Asia.
1. Do your research
Before a networking event, brush up on two things: information about the companies and people who will be in attendance, as well as general current affairs.
The easiest way to get up to speed is by checking out the companies’ websites, suggested Ms Telkes. Most have links to recent media releases, which will give a good idea of what a company has done recently and whether it has appointed new management, for instance.
People also often make the mistake of attending networking events without first laying the proper groundwork, said Ms Teo Ser Lee, founder and director of etiquette and protocol services firm Protocol Academy.
‘They do not read enough and hence do not have sufficient topics for small talk,’ she said. The more knowledge you have of current affairs, the more likely you are to impress in a conversation, although even a quick skimming of the day’s newspaper headlines will provide fodder for conversation starters.
Ms Teo suggested being prepared with ‘at least three topics that you can talk about easily and comfortably’. These will come in handy during awkward silences or when you are seated at a table of 10 where everyone is playing with their food.
2. Take along enough name cards
Try to find out how many people are likely to be at the event and make sure you have enough name cards for everyone you meet.
If you’re in between jobs, it’s still a good idea to print your own simple name card so that people don’t have to write down your name and number, said Ms Telkes.
‘After the event, if you want to send the contact person an e-mail or a handwritten card, put your name card in there again,’ she added.
3. Set a goal
Have a target for the number of people you want to interact with. For a stand-around cocktail event, try to talk to five or six people in an hour, spending about 10 minutes with each person, suggested Ms Telkes.
‘But if you’re new at it, it’s better to go for quality than quantity,’ she said. Get to know someone better rather than aim to chat with everyone in the room.
4. Practise your introductions
Make sure you are able to introduce yourself and give a short description of what you do in less than a minute.
‘You don’t want to be blowing your own horn too much,’ said Ms Telkes.
5. Walk away from friends
Make a conscious effort to leave your comfort zone and proactively go up to strangers. This will make you seem confident and positive, said Ms Teo.
To break into a group, make eye contact with someone in the group and smile straightaway, said Ms Telkes.
‘When the other person smiles back, make your way around the group to talk to him rather than cutting through the group,’ she said.
‘Don’t feel like you’re intruding - at a networking event, people expect you to walk around and meet strangers.’
6. Watch your body language
If you are clearly nervous or ill at ease, you will make others around you uncomfortable, said Ms Teo. ‘Act confident and comfortable, even when you’re not.’
Also, wear your name tag on your right and keep your right hand free for shaking hands, said Ms Telkes.
‘Ideally you should be able to balance your drink and your plate in your left hand,’ she added. ‘Don’t take too much food at one go. Remember that you go to a networking event to meet people, not to stuff your face.’
7. Be tactful
Delicacy and tact are essential qualities in any successful networker. Do not ‘ask insensitive questions like ‘Are you married?’ and ‘How many children do you have?” Ms Teo said.
‘Also, try not to open a conversation with ‘How’s your job at XYZ company?’ The person may have just got fired or laid off!’ she added.
8. Be interested
People want to feel special, so talk to them as though they were the only ones in the room, Ms Teo recommended.
Show a genuine interest in others and engage them in the conversation. It also helps to make an extra effort to remember people’s names and use them frequently when talking to them.
Above all, do not give monosyllabic answers, she said. ‘When someone asks, ‘How’s business?’ or ‘What’s going on?’, answer with more than ‘Pretty good’ or ‘Not much’. Tell people more about yourself so that they can learn more about you.’
9. Make a good exit
Try to end every interaction on a positive note.
‘If you’ve been talking to someone and you want to move on, say something like ‘It’s been great talking to you’ rather than ‘It’s really nice talking to you’. Putting it in the past tense is sort of a hint,’ said Ms Telkes.
If you want to meet up again, arrange to give your newfound contact a call to set up lunch or a golf game, she added.
10. Follow up
After the event, make it a point to e-mail everyone that you have met, said Ms Teo.
‘It will leave a lasting impression and they will certainly remember you when you meet again.
‘If there is any potential business with anyone, follow up with a call and make an appointment as soon as you can.’
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