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1. Leverage: Positional advantage; power to act effectively
2. Reciprocity: The pracice of exchanging things with others for mutual benefit. An example would be to give someone arecommendaion, and in turn, they would give you one as well.
1
Start with an opening that lets people go wherever they feel comfortable.
A comfortable environment is going to yield the best results. Everyone has been in awkward situations before, and if you recall any situation like that, you probably just wanted to escape. But when you begin the conversation with a friendly smile and kind words, you invite your conversation partner to stay awhile. The result is someone who is more willing to share their knowledge and time with you.
2
Stick to open- ended
questions that keep
the conversation
flowing.
Avoid yes or no type questions, because they don t provide much information, and tend to stall the flow of conversation. Instead, open ended questions will leave room for the conversation to ignite. Let them ask you questions in return!
3
Show you are genuinely
interested in their work/
career.
Reciprocity is the key to building successful relationships. Everyone wants to feel heard and valued, and no one enjoys being in a one sided conversation where it’s all about the other person. Think about it like how
you would treat a friend. You are working towards building a long term, professional relationship and growing your network.
4
Deepen the conversation
by asking about their
work.
This is your opportunity to learn about the company. Is this a company that aligns with your values? Will you feel happy and fulfilled working there? If so, great! If not, that’s OK too, because you’ve saved yourself a lot of time and stress by not pursuing the wrong job.
5
Ask them about their
career goals.
MEMORIZE THIS STEP, and pay close attention to their answer! This information will be critical for Part 2, which will be in the NEXT episode where you will turn your meeting into a future interview! Imagine how you would feel if someone told you they would help you achieve your ultimate career goal. That’s precisely what is going to happen to you, so listen closely to what they say! If it seems impossible, don t worry. It’s totally doable, and they are living proof of that!
6
Give them some career
bucket list ideas.
Often, people won t immediately know the answer to the Career Bucket List question, or might not have even conceived of it before. So plant some ideas in their head. You can give them a few examples of your own! For example, someday, I want to be on The Today Show as an expert guest, talking about (insert your industry), or, I also would like to win an award for my (insert your biggest project) and present my work as a guest lecturer at a university.
Once they start sharing their hopes and dreams, you ll have just set the stage for Part 2 (Week 7, Episode 4) where you will work with them on helping you get an interview at their company!
Hot Tip # 1 Tone Matters
When people LIKE you, they will want to HELP you. It’s human nature! Approach the
interview with the intention of making a new friend. Ke warm, personable, and authentic. Set the tone!
Hot Tip # 2 Do NOT Give Out Your Resume
Whatever you do, DO NOT GIVE OUT YOUR RESUME UNLESS THEY ASK FOR IT! Giving out your resume without being asked first will not get you a job. You don’t want to seem pushy or desperate. It s like trying to get your child to drive a car! Things take time
Hot Tip #3 Use Open Ended Questions
Yes or no questions are dead ends. If you ask a yes or no question, it will end that line
of inquiry, and you will glean very little information from your career connection. On the other hand, open ended conversations are like a maze, leading you deeper and deeper into undiscovered and surprising topics. You may discover that you share a common interest in line dancing or hockey! Get to know your career mentor as a person, not just as a professional. People know when you are genuinely interested in them, so show them you’re sincere. It will strengthen the connection you have.
Lifesaving Links
1. Career Mentors: Finding the Best Guides for Your Journey
2. 9 Questions to Get to Know Your Boss
3. Getting to Know Your Manager