7 Habits of Highly Horrible Networkers

Networking is a term that didn’t exist (academically) until almost 40 years ago. It’s a word uttered in and around the business world every day, yet is unclear to most as to how it actually works. Still, it’s a fundamental tool to the success of any business. By definition, the term networking is the development and maintenance of mutually valuable relationships. It’s not schmoozing; it’s not just handing out business cards, selling, marketing or small talk. Those activities are part of networking, but unfortunately, many people’s misunderstanding of the term causes them to network ineffectively. 

The following are The 7 Habits of Highly Horrible Networkers and they can stand in the way of developing mutually valuable relationships. So, next time you attend your chamber or association meeting, keep these ideas in mind so you can offer the most value to your fellow networkers.

For the complete article written by Scott Ginsberg, click here.

Bring These 5 Things To Your Next Interview!

Job interviews are stressful and there is so much great advice available about what to wear, how to act and what questions to ask that it's easy to get overwhelmed. Once you have the right outfit, have done tons of interview prep and are confident about your ability to show yourself in your best light, it's showtime. Before you walk out the door, however, there are a few things you need to make sure that you bring along with you.

Here are 5 things you need to bring to your next interview:  click here for the recommendations.

Career Quotes

Careers are ever changing. I know of no other way to prepare for these times of adjustment than to be certain that during times of employment, preparations are made for less prosperous times. Start now and create a plan.  L Tom Perry

Networking is getting to know someone so well that you discover how to create opportunities for one another.

The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul; but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.  King Solomon

Many people today don’t want honest answers insofar as honest means unpleasant or disturbing. They want a soft answer that turneth away anxiety.  Louis Kronenberger

Do not wait; the time will never be “just right.” Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along.  Napoleon Hill

Believe that problems do have answers, that they can be overcome, and that you can solve them.  Norman Vincent Peale

Keeping in touch with other people is one of the most important things we can do in our lives.  Plantronics website

Your No. 1 job is to network on the job. Daily. Subtly. Productively. Watch out for No. 1.  Rand Christensen

Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.  Thomas Edison

The successful person is the individual who forms the habit of doing what the failing person doesn’t like to do.  Donald Riggs

The luck of having talent is not enough; one must also have a talent for luck.  Hector Berlioz

Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing.  Abraham Lincoln

There are no secrets to success. Don’t waste time looking for them. Success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure and persistence.  Colin Powell

The greatest gift people possess is their ability to interact with people. Good communication skills and business success go hand-in-hand. There are so many brilliant people out there, but you have to be able to get your point across quickly. Attention spans are short. Get your point across quickly and succinctly.  Mrs. Debbi Fields

The worst thing that can happen to your career is to be shot out in an open field. You’ve got to be in the right position to die dramatically, against a wall, near something to hang onto. Never close your eyes. Glaze them. You can’t go wrong bringing something down with you when you fall. A tablecloth is excellent. Preferably with a meal on it.  George Plimpton

Tomorrow's College Education Options Today at a Bargain!

Western Governors University (WGU) is a one of a kind university for working people needing a degree (bachelors or masters) covering over 70 degree offerings.   For a detailed list of degree programs, click here.  WGU is a completely virtual, competency-based university founded by 19 governors of western states.  The governors of Utah and Colorado spear-headed it and the main HQ was originally located in Denver.  Now it is located in Salt Lake City.  Dirt cheap and fully certified and accredited nationally without any questions or reservations.  And also is the largest on-line college in the country.

WGU is a serious alternative for those who need to upgrade their careers and not interfere with their families and their present employment.  And affordable all at the same time.  My son earned 90+ semester credits in 3 semesters at a list price of $3,500 per semester but also had a half tuition scholarship because his career was already in place before he became unemployed.  And there are no charges for text books!  And he immediately earned a master's degree from August 1st to April 1st following his B.S. degree last July graduation.  Now his Master's thesis is all that is left and he graduates on July 14th with a master's degree in Internet Security in less than 12 months.  And the college paid for all national certification tests required for the degree such as the Microsoft Networking Certifications, CISCO tests, and many more which are in themselves very expensive.  And again, no charge for any of these national tests that can be taken at local colleges.

Self-Paced instruction may not be everybody, but students can earn unlimited number of credits per semester.  Students enrolled in a 6-month term and can accelerate to take as many courses as possible in that term at no additional cost.  My son finished each course usually in 2 weeks.  Then takes another course on and on to the end of the semester.  And that's how he earned in excess of 30 semester credits every semester.  Plus passing national computer certification courses.   What a no-nonsense approach to upgrading ones profession.   Academic support is provided by academic mentors who specialize in content areas through online learning communities.

Online instruction offers advantages that can help people upgrade their professional skills while not disrupting their lives:

1. Distance learning does not require commuting.
2. You can complete all of the classes at your convenience.
3. You can live anywhere, study from anywhere while pursing the education of your choice.
4. Gain extra knowledge on the subjects of your choice.
5. Self-paced learning is for both slow and quick learners.
6. Accessibility in the confines of your own home
7. Issue of time.  The learner is not confined to a classroom for certain number of hours on a given day.  

It is an amazing story to motivate others to do something besides do little and wish their careers were more competitive. For more information about Western Governors University, click here.

The Secret of Networking! It May Surprise You!

You have heard over and over again that the key to a successful job search and long-term career advancement is networking. Almost every article touches on this fact. Emphasis is placed on the following fundamentals:

• Develop a target list of companies and make contact with employees and, ultimately,hiring managers.
• Clearly articulate what you would like to do in a job (positioning statement).
• Clearly explain why you are looking for your next job (exit statement).
• Ask for additional networking names.

For more information, click here.  Article is written by Matthew Levy.

7 Habits of Highly Horrible Networkers

By definition, the term networking is the development and maintenance of mutually valuable relationships. It’s not schmoozing; it’s not just handing out business cards, selling, marketing or small talk. Those activities are part of networking, but unfortunately, many people’s misunderstanding of the term causes them to network ineffectively.   

For detailed information about the 7 Habits of Horrible Networkers, click here.

10 useless résumé words (and 10 eye-catching ones)

Instead of being another candidate professing to be a "hard worker," revitalize your application with a little seek-and-replace exercise. Scan your résumé for empty, overused words such as the following:

Click here for more details and essential tips to improve your resume instantly.