6) Develop a list of conversation openers/starter questions to use at networking events

5) Ask a question and then be quiet to hear the answer

4) Build visibility and gain respect by referring others and making connections

3) Build trust in your network by helping those around you become successful

2) Build your knowledge by concentrating on areas outside of your expertise

1) Use your network before you need them

Number 1 is a key tip to remember.  Networking is about showing compassion and being genuinely interested in others. You don’t want to come off as a user so develop and strengthen those relationships, so when you need them (and you will need them) there will be there no questions asked.  Now we want to hear from you!  In what ways do you continue to improve your networking skills?

-CKB

The LI$T Expands our Network

Over the past month we have taken our site into a new direction, focusing on giving advice in-person! We finished the month March by presenting a professional workshop at the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) – National Convention in Pittsburgh, PA.  NSBE is one of the largest student run organizations in the world and its convention hosts 10,000 high school and college students as well as alumni and corporate sponsors.  We enjoyed attending workshops, corporate networking events, and meeting students who we can help in the future.

Face to Face Networking in the Facebook Generation

Our 50+ workshop attendees (including collegiate members from Region 1, 2, and 3 and corporate recruiters) learned how to perfect their networking skills by focusing on small talk, discussed good networking characteristics, and practiced their elevator pitches.  Attendees said the workshop was fun and interactive and it even helped some students with their approach at corporate sponsored events and the career fair.  Overall it was a great success!

A One-on-One Approach…Career Consultations

After the success of our National Convention Workshop, Cameron and I started conducting private career consultations.  We already focused on providing free resume critiques to our readers but now we take the time to work with each client to help them reach their specific goals.  Whether they are trying to apply to an internship, receive a scholarship, or they need advice on a big professional decision, we are there to help our clients with our own brand of professional guidance.  So far we have 10 clients but we welcome more.  If anyone is interested, please contact us at haveyoucheckedthelist@gmail.com .

We are quickly approaching our 1st year anniversary of The LI$T and we would really like to thank EVERYONE who has shown us so much support.  We look forward to sharing more advice with our readers, expanding our staff, and having fun while helping students and recent college graduates!

Jessica Ebony

I have a question for you: How many times do you get a second chance to make another first impression?

I’m waiting…still waiting…still silence…that’s because you NEVER get a second or a third or an umpteenth chance at another first impression.

In networking, a job interview, or with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity sometimes your first impression is all you have.  First impressions don’t get caught off guard or have bad days, they are simply just present in the moment and it is up to us to be prepared to seize the opportunity.  Want to make sure you make the best first impression each and every time?  Learn how to do so using the 7Cs:

1. Clothing – remember in any first encounter you are always seen before you are heard.
2. Clear – don’t confuse people with your introduction.  Make sure you know how to clearly explain who you are and what it is you do.
3. Concise – short and simple is the key, because no one likes a rambler.
4. Catchy – what are you good at?  What makes you stand out?  Try to be memorable.
5. Connect – try and find a common ground to connect with the person.  I think this is the most important step as in most encounters someone is more likely to remember a personal connection they have to you rather than remember your personal introduction.
6. Communicate – remember your non-verbal communication.  A nice smile, a firm handshake, and good posture can go a REALLY long way.
7. Call - first impressions last after you walk away.  Always remember to follow-up with a call or an email saying it was a pleasure meeting them and to explore furthering your relationship.

Keep these 7 Cs in mind and you will capitalize on your first impressions each and every time.  Now we want to hear from you!  How many of you have tips for first impressions?  Every single tip can help.

-CKB

I have written and helped manage two blogs in my life.  The first was about writing (ha) with a focus on publishing and the other is this wonderful blog here about college and career advice.

One of the biggest lessons I learned from  writing my first blog is that it is the newest way to publicize EVERYTHING that you’re  working on.

Most major media websites now are simply blogs with a flow of information instead of the old standard, rigid formats of websites.  If you aren’t a media conglomerate and you are an entrepreneur or a solopreneur, a blog can be used as a starting point to a career by getting   the word out about your products and services, establishing a following of fans and customers, and sharing thoughts and insights with your readers.  One of the best aspects of a blog is   that you can post almost anything that you   want in any format as long as it fits in with   your end goals.

Here’s our LI$T of 10 tips that my business partner and I have learned since we started blogging that could help any blogger achieve their career goals:

1. Your blog is a representation of you and your brand. Make sure it is true to the product, service, or message that you would like your readers to take away from each article.

2. Once you start blogging it becomes contagious; you’ll be surprised to discover that friends and family members will start blogging too.

3. Bloggers are multi-taskers, they are authors, public speakers, coaches, consultants, public relation experts, and more…if they do it right.

4. A blog is only a good catalyst if you have a well-thought out plan for future growth.  I’ve seen blogs die after a year because they didn’t have a plan or the plan was not realistic.

5. Everyone you meet as a blogger is a potential connection for the future. We have met web designers, social media experts, photographers, graphic designers, and more who have all helped us in our business or given us relevant advice.

6. Whether you blog for 6 months or for several years, the skills you learn as a writer, editor, social media marketing expert, etc. are very valuable tools for future jobs.

7. People always ask what the goal for your blog is, its not as obvious as you think! It is important to have a clear and concise goal for your blog that you can communicate in one sentence.  No one believes that you just like to write, there’s always a goal behind the blog.

8. Observing other blogs and asking other bloggers how they overcame pitfalls can help to navigate everything from finding a staff to seeking out potential guest writing opportunities.

9. SEO is not as complicated as SEO writers and ‘experts’ make it out to be.  We like to call it link love – sharing links of other sites and those sites return the favor.

10. We hope our blog lasts a long time but even if it doesn’t, it’s important to realize that a well run blog can open the door to many opportunities in the future!

–

Fellow bloggers, what have you learned since you began writing? Do you have any pearls of wisdom to share? We’d love to hear from you!

Jessica Ebony

It’s my personal opinion that you can never say ‘Thank You’ too much. I think people have gotten away from it somewhat. Especially in a face to face conversation ‘Thank You’ can go a long way. Honestly, when is the last time you looked someone in the eye and said ‘Thank You! I really appreciate it’? I always try to end a conversation with this statement especially when someone says they are going to do me favor.

Being young and a member of Generation Y, people older than us think WE can be insincere, entitled, and downright rude. However, being genuine and truly thanking someone for their time and efforts can really leave a lasting impression on a new contact, a future mentor, or a future co-worker.

Ways to simply say ‘Thank You’:

1) A follow-up email
You should always send these after a meeting, a ‘get to know you’ or an interview.

2)A follow-up phone call
If you really want to leave a lasting impression and have the time to do so, you can always call and send a thank you message.

3) ‘What can I do for you?’
Sometimes the best thing you can do is offer up a returning favor. Now this might not always make sense after an interview, but after making a networking connection you can certainly impress your contact by asking how you can return a favor. Most times you will learn that just by simply asking this is all that the other person needs to hear for you to be in their good graces.

I know it might come off as basic manners, but don’t forget to say your thank you’s as they can really separate the best for the rest.

-CKB

Clock-in, meetings, emails, presentations, and clock-out are all in a day’s work, right? Well, not exactly. Just like school, work isn’t always just about the work. At many companies there are plenty of ways to get involved in groups and associations that will help build your network and provide opportunities that you might not get in your current job. Just for proof, here are the activities Jessica Ebony and I are involved with through work:

CKB

• Campus recruiting and interviewing for Operations Analysts
• Toastmasters International
• Black Professional Group
• Former Ambassador of the Operations Management Analyst Program

Jessica Ebony

• Southern Company Georgia Tech Alumni Club
• Employee Action Council
• African American Women’s Networking Group
• Technical Women’s Interest Group
• National Society of Black Engineers (work chapter)
• Attends school outreach days

Check out our list below of how being more involved at work can take your career to the next level:

1. Exposure
Being involved in a volunteer organization or an affinity group at work might allow you to have greater exposure to senior leaders and executives who might also support or champion those efforts. Skills that you might exhibit while working on this outside activity might lead to advances in the future.

2. Build your network
You will also have the chance to work with people who you might not come in contact with in your regular job. Outside organizations pull people from all over the company and they might be in areas that you are interested in or would possibly like to work in one day. Remember, a single conversation can change your life!

3. Invest in the company’s values
Being involved outside of your job also shows others that you take a vested interest in the values of the company. Whether it’s volunteering in the community or raising money for a charity, taking the lead will show your coworkers what type of person you are.

4. Show your personality
Most times getting involved outside of work can be a lot more fun and not as stressful which allows those you work with to get to know the real you or at least less of the work you. Sometimes adding this personal touch can be the key to building long-lasting relationships with your coworkers.

I know it can seem like additional work, but taking a few extra hours a month to dedicate to a group that you have passion for can help make you a better person and accelerate your career. Now we want to hear from you! What activities or outside organizations are you involved with through work?

-CKB

Jessica Ebony was on call to handle a serious issue for a very important customer. Although it was tough work, she handled it all with stride and was able to meet the expectations of the customer. At first, it seemed like an everyday issue, but what Jessica Ebony didn’t know was that people were observing her. Her management and co-workers definitely recognized it and it resulted in a promotion for Jessica Ebony! People were taking notice of her.

My story was pretty similar. I had been trying to network with one of the executives on my project for a couple of months. Due to conflicting calendars, we never got the chance for a thirty minute ‘get to know you’ meeting. However, while on business these past three weeks, I got to work very closely with her and learn a lot from her. During my last day of travel, she called me into her office and let me know that although we had not gotten the chance to meet previously one on one, she had been observing me through my work on reports and financial statements and during our time together traveling on business. She was so impressed that she asked me to join her team as we get ready for phase 2 of our project. People were taking notice of me.

Both of our personal situations, which oddly enough happened within the same week, prompted me to use the term The Neverending Interview. We both learned this week that you never know who is watching you and just because you have a job, doesn’t mean that someone isn’t interviewing you for an opportunity that’s not even on your radar. Every email you send, meeting you lead, or conference call you host, there might be someone in attendance who might recognize your talents and help you. The trick with the Neverending Interview is that you have to remain patient and realize that if someone is noticing your every move they could be picking up on your bad habits as well. So it is important to be cognizant of what vibe and perception you are giving off at work. Always remember that you are constantly interviewing whether you are looking for a job or not.

-CKB

1 Primary purpose = learning, not a job opportunity but still present yourself as If it’s a job interview. Dress properly, be groomed, and timely. Remember the company is learning about you as much as you are learning about them.
2 Do your homework (on company and position) and do your homework on yourself. You need to be able to articulate you strengths and experiences.
3 Respect their time (~30 minute meeting).
4 Know what you want to gain out of the interview and let your questions reflect that.
5 Prepare ahead of time – create a 5 pager powerpoint presentation about yourself.


We know this sounds cheesy but employers are impressed by this!
Slide 1 – name and picture; Slide 2 – background hometown, school, major, interests; Slide 3 – experience (work and personal such as extracurriculars); Slide 4 – questions you have for the company; Slide 5- future goals, what type of work environment you are seeking, etc.

Here are the benefits of an Informational Interview:

1 Build relationships; Expand your network – ALWAYS followup with suggestions they provide and send thank you letters
2 Know whether or not you would want to work in that position or company in the future

5 You can conduct an informational interview whether you are currently employed or not. There is nothing wrong with learning. Just be cognizant of how you present yourself when you are setting up these interviews. There is a fine line between being thirsty for knowledge and a nuiscance and desperate. You want to build relationships not run people away.

——-
If you feel you are ready to begin conducting Informational Interviews (there’s no time like the present!) check out the ‘Mastering the Informational Interview’ article for a list of acceptable questions to ask:

http://shiftingcareers.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/01/29/mastering-the-informational-interview/


Leave a comment if you have had an Informational Interview lately. Tell us how it went!


CKB & Jessica Ebony

Everyone has one these days! No, not an iPhone, but a side hustle. Just look at the entrepreneurs we have celebrated on The LI$T: Heart Eurika, dangerousNegro Apparel, and the Honor Roll Clothing Group. Everyone is on their grind in some form or fashion. Look at Jessica Ebony and I. We are out here trying to help our peers and colleagues like you through our blog.

My favorite show on TV now (by far) is How to Make It in America which airs Sunday nights on HBO and just started its second season. It is about two twenty-something friends who are trying to break into the New York downtown fashion scene and create a name for themselves. The same producers from Entourage are behind this show as well, but instead of the glitz and glamour of Vincent Chase and Ari Gold we are now introduced to the struggling Ben and Cam, the shows two stars. It’s gritty, it’s real, and it’s definitely about a hustle.

What I really love about the show besides the clever writing, the NYC backdrop, and the two main stars, is that you can take the approach that Ben and Cam are taking to their fashion line, Crisp, and apply it to whatever grind you have for yourself. Check out our list below of how Ben and Cam use what they have to get to their American Dream:

1. Make every opportunity a business opportunity

On the show it might look like Ben and Cam spend a lot of time partying and enjoying themselves, but at the root of every decision they make is their clothing line, Crisp. They are always thinking of how they can get their line out there and position themselves accordingly.

2. Talk to everyone you know

Not that you will somehow stumble into VIP with a big time fashion designer on the New York club scene giving you a once in a lifetime opportunity to sell yourself, but this is the approach you have to take with everything. You never know who you might meet or who someone you might know might meet. Leverage every contact and relationship you can. Remember, a single conversation can change your life.

3. By any means necessary

Ben lives in a crappy studio apartment in NYC and Cam bums it with family and is always borrowing money from his cousin Rene in the form of short-term loans, but they are functioning in full fight or flight mode and to be successful you definitely have to fight. They are not concerned with where they are now, but where they are going.

4. ‘Alright, that didn’t work…what’s next?’

Ben and Cam never get down when things don’t go their way. They remain persistent and almost oblivious to what’s going on around them. It is a pure fixation on their dreams and what they have to get done. ‘No’ is not the end for them.

5. Have Fun

In the middle of it all they are having the time of their lives! Two best-friends challenging the status quo and redefining what it means to make it in America. What can be better than that?

For all of you out there that are on your grind, How to Make It in America is the show for you. You will find a great appreciation for two young guys that are steadily holding onto their dreams. This has resonated a lot with me in my personal and professional life. I don’t have aspirations to ever break into the fashion world, but I can most definitely respect those who do it on their own terms. Check out How to Make It in America Sunday nights on HBO at 10:30 PM ET.

Now to hear from our readers, how many of you watch this show? What are your dreams and goals?

-CKB