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Monday, November 20, 2006

Effective Networking Techniques Part 1

Step One:

Be sure that your resume is in top-notch shape. Don’t allow others to see your resume if it doesn’t effectively represent who you are. Keep in mind that when you are networking you are asking people that you know to vouch for youto put their names and reputations on the line. Your existing resume should be one that represents you well and that your contacts won’t be embarrassed to hand over to decision makers.

Step Two:

Develop a 30-second pitch that summarizes who you are professionally. You will use your pitch when contacting your network base. An effective pitch has three parts: (1) start by mentioning your profession and years of experience, (2) then lead with accomplishments or skills you want the listener to know about, and (3) end your pitch with a question to encourage dialogue.

Here’s an example of an effective pitch: "With over 5 years of experience, I have achieved success in a broad range of management functions including HR, customer service, logistics, and safety management. Most notably, I reduced Workers' Compensation cases by more than 25% by writing informative articles for a safety newsletter, conducting safety training, and maintaining detailed OSHA and WC logs to pinpoint sources of problems. I am currently seeking a position in Human Resources. Are you aware of any current openings?"

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