Newsletter 32 - August, 2005

A monthly newsletter to conduct you on the way to successful performance and harmony in your work and personal life. Every issue brings you tips for interviews, resumes, networking, and strategies for career advancement.

Welcome!
Welcome to all new and continuing subscribers! I hope that you will enjoy this issue and will forward it to others. I especially want to add more Midwest, Southwest, and Western folks - so please send this to your cousin in Phoenix, your brother in Boise, and your old friends in San Francisco.

Attention, Trainers!
Many of our readers are in the training profession, so I am happy to tell you about a new ezine for you. Please visit the website of Ellen Dowling and subscribe to her monthly newsletter, "The Standup Trainer." http://www.standuptrainer.com/

Every issue will provide you with valuable training tips and a dose of Ellen's signature sense of humor. Enjoy!

I recommend
Jay Block Presents "Any Idiot Can Make It Through a Good Day" - a set of two CDS with Jay's program on how to think positive in difficult times. Learn the proven techniques of emotional channeling and the 10 Principles of Success. Go to http://www.jayblock.com for more information and to order.

"He who has a thousand friends
Has not a friend to spare,
While he who has one enemy
Shall meet him everywhere."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Agree? Whether we are selling a tangible product, a service, or our own professional expertise - this should be a valid guideline.

Logically then, it follows that the more friends we have, the easier it will be to promote and market our particular business. Right?

This is where many people are missing the boat on networking. They have placed it in a separate category - an unpleasant, 'have to do it' necessary evil of doing business. These people drag themselves to networking events and approach others with dread. "Here's my card. Here's my card. Here's my card." Then they escape. After this type of superficial encounter - what I call 'hit and run' networking - they tell anyone who will listen that this networking thing just doesn't work.

Let's go back to that "know, like, and trust" premise. Your object in networking is to begin relationships that you will then nurture by continuing to stay in touch with those individuals. You have to follow up! If you are never again going to contact that person you met at a networking meeting, throw the card away! Your reason to keep the card is that you are going to schedule a second meeting with that person or refer them to someone else.

So, does that mean that people are throwing your cards away, too? You bet! Unless you reconnect with them in a reasonable time after your introduction, of course they are throwing away your cards. But - you can get them to hang on to your card or ask for another one. Call or email them and invite them to meet with you for breakfast, lunch, or coffee. Make an honest effort to get to know that person better. It may turn out that the two of you won't do business together, but that is no reason you can't exchange referrals. A few of these second meetings will not turn into continuing relationships. So what! Most of them will be productive.

You can transform the chore of networking into the pleasant experience of building friendships. Meeting new friends is a revitalizing experience, and it makes a positive impact on your business. No matter what our business is, we conduct it by connecting with other humans. I don't know anyone who has already reached his or her quota of friendships. Do you?

A new friendship is like an un-ripened fruit - it may become either an orange or a lemon.

- Emma Stacey

a)	Attend an event where you have the opportunity to meet new people.
b)	Even if this is an organization where you know half the members already, seek out someone you don't know.
c)	Approach an individual who is standing alone - or - a conversation group of three people. (Stick with odd numbers!)
d)	OK. Here is the scary part. Introduce yourself and wait for them to do the same. Just, "Hello, I'm Gwen McGillicuddy."
e)	Tell them one thing you want them to know about you. "I've been a member of this organization for three years and I come to most of the meetings."
f)	Ask an open-ended question, beginning with 'how, what, who, where, or when.' "How did you find out about this event?"
g)	Listen and keep the conversation going. If you want to follow up with this person, ask for a card.
h)	Follow up by calling or sending an email message. This will amaze them!
i)	Repeat the process - again and again and again.

The ultimate question you are answering in an interview is, "Why should we hire you?" Seems obvious, but many interviewees are not prepared for this question. Oh yes, they have studied the company and researched the details about the available job. However, they forgot the most important part of the equation. If only they had spent more time studying themselves!

Review the highlights of your working career so far. Write descriptions of what you have accomplished and how you have handled challenges. Then list what you see as the strengths, skills, and characteristics these stories show. Ask at least one other person to give you input on this as well because they will notice things that you take for granted. Then study these notes about yourself as if you were studying for an exam. You need to get an 'A+' in You 101.

When you respond to all of your interview questions, you will be much more convincing when you can illustrate with stories of your success. That means thinking about your experience and having your stories prepared ahead of time.

It's a lot to think about, isn't it? Consider how much better you will feel, though, if you have done your homework. Your interview answers will be much more thorough and convincing. And - this knowledge about yourself and what you have already done will carry over from interview to interview.

August 11, 2005 - Discover the Power of Informational Interviews - FREE teleclass at www.teleclass.com at 9:00 PM Eastern time.

August 16 & 30 and September 13 & 27, 2005 - Master Mind Group for Career Builders A group coaching seminar moderated by Anna Watkins. Group members will participate by telephone in four 50-minute sessions. That means that we will not be constrained by geographic limitations and can assemble a group from many locations. Anna Watkins will moderate this discussion, providing structure and focus to the conversation of masterminds.

Special discount for One-E-Anna Notes subscribers - please send me a message with "Master Mind Group" in the subject line - info@one-e-anna.com

Lighter Moments
As I was hunting for jokes and stories for this issue, I reached the conclusion that true stories would be even better. I thank my sister Peg for her stories of what she calls "Idiot Sightings."

Idiots in the Neighborhood
I live in a semi-rural area. We recently had a new neighbor call the local township administrative office to request the removal of the Deer Crossing sign on our road. The reason? Many deer were being hit by cars and he no longer wanted them to cross there.

Idiots at Work
I was signing the receipt for my credit card purchase when the clerk noticed that I had never signed my name on the back of the credit card. She informed me that she could not complete the transaction unless the card was signed. When I asked why, she explained that it was necessary to compare the signature on the credit card with the signature I just signed on the receipt. So, I signed the credit card in front of her. She carefully compared the signature to the one I signed on the receipt. As luck would have it, they matched.

5. Career Coaching Sessions
I coach people who are looking to enjoy their work, whether that means moving up in a current job or building a new career. It doesn't matter where you live - I can coach you by phone. Want to find out more? You can easily arrange this. Please contact me at info@one-e-anna.com and I will follow up with you to schedule a free consultation - no strings attached!

Great Resources
A terrific site for business owners - Maria Marsala, former Wall Street trader and now business consultant, coach, and trainer has classes and other resources that are well worth the visit to http://www.coachmaria.com/

Visit www.lifeafterlayoff.org to find resources for yourself or your friends who are in job transition.

Tips Booklets Online
Too many heavy books cluttering up your house or office? Paulette Ensign offers a vast array of tips booklets online for only $4.77 each! When you order an online book, it often arrives in your e-mail within minutes! No waiting for the mail to arrive every day and watching for that book you wanted. And - you won't have to search for it on bookshelves if you save it into a folder on your computer. Check out her website at www.tipsbooklets.com and peruse the titles there. Examples: 101 Travel Tips for Women, 113 Ideas To Secure Your Financial Future, and Presenting Your Message Like You Mean It

My booklet 64 Tips for Informational Interviews is available in the Careers category. You can get it today!

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