Don't make people SEARCH for you! Be VISIBLE!!!

A few months back I touted the importance of staying visible when trying to accomplish something. Today, I am returning to this concept because it has delivered results. This week I will be starting three different part time positions that I would have never had the opportunity to have if I had not been present in places where connectors hang out.

First, I will be assisting with the coordination of an online show for the next two weeks. How did this happen: 1) I was at a tech networking event and we were introduced and then discussed how I might be able to help him (WIIFY), 2) I followed up the next day by emailing etc. which was well received, 3) Around a week later I sent a request for an update, at which point I was put in contact with the other founders and meetings were setup, 4) Tomorrow I will be attending a walk through.

Second, I will helping with the marketing push for some blogs through the social media blog rating sites. How did this happen: 1) My roommate is one of the writers for one of the blogs of this company and she knows I’ve been looking for marketing work (yes being visible to her is easier, but still relevant), 2) Her boss sent out some traffic stats and a request for recommendations for new marketing coordinators she forwarded my resume in, and I had a meeting with the content managers, 3) After the all important “Nice to meet you email” I was offered a part time (which they claim could lead to full-time after the ever present dot com re-org), 4) I now have a web pseudonym “FunnyWebGoddess” that will be “discovering and sharing all the funny parts of the web”.

Last, but certainly not least, starting Wednesday, I will be the marketing intern at a firm that specializes in web analytics and seo and learning how to tailor fit content to the market. How did this happen: 1) I was introduced to a young entrepreneur who I’ve been lucky enough to see and bond with at multiple tech events, we keep in touch through gchat, twitter, etc., 2) At an event he mentioned to me that I should apply for this internship that he couldn’t do because of a bad commute and personally introduced me (by email) to the CEO who had wanted him to join the team, 3) I responded to the CEO with my interest and cc’ed a trusted employee who I was connected with, 4) Interview, thank you email a few days later, and then a request for update email on the day that the CEO was supposed to decide who he has taking on. 5) 6:30pm on Friday email from CEO inviting me to join the team if I was still interested. 6) After a few emails about logistics, this Wednesday I’ll be spending my first 2.5 hours learning the ropes or Google analytics.

You maybe saying to yourself, why is she so excited about three part time positions that probably don’t pay very much? I would simply have to respond, that I will be learning new marketable skills from leaders in the industry, and staying VISIBLE to them, their connections, and the rest of the tech world while actually getting some cash in my pocket.

Be warned of burn out. If you’re going to go to every networking event that comes your way and go on every interview, even if you don’t want the position, you’re going to start getting frustrated. Once you get frustrated, you become less genuine, and less effective. This is not good. It also does bad things to your relationships that you’ve had before you started networking like mad.

Concentrate your efforts on targeted opportunities where you will be able to connect with the right people, on jobs that you are properly qualified for an interested in. This will leave you less frustrated, which will make you happier, and more excited to talk to that person who will actually connect you with your dream job.

Oh… and as one of my best friends says… don’t forget to sleep, it works wonders.

At Twiistup I was explaining this challenge to Don Mosites of Streamy, which will hopefully launch this week. He were laughing about extraverts and introverts and I explained to him that though I definitively meet a larger number of people, I also make sure to return to those I have met before and continue to develop the relationship. That at any given event, I might meet 10-15 new faces and exchange information, but that I also make sure to spend an extended period of time with those who I am already acquainted.

Building on relationships through extrapolation on previous encounters, enhances both the current experience and future interactions. Furthermore, the more you learn about someone as the depth of conversation increases, the more you might know how you or one of your connections might be able to help them. Or… the reverse… a warm introduction is always best.

I’m not saying that introducing yourself to many people is a bad way to go about these things, it’s the very foundation. I’m just elaborating on the importance of utilizing that foundation to build something stronger and more meaningful.

How many people do you talk to at a networking event?

Find a good site that aggergates events, conferences, forums, etc. for your industry and start showing up. Nothing will help you more than showing that you are dedicated to that industry, and the more you go to the more familiar you are to others and the more they will be willing to talk to you.

Also, being connected to someone who is already very visible will help you be able to talk to people and have them be interested in you. It’s the classic friend concept from dating, translated to networking.

This past week I attended Startonomics at UCLA, which was a great LA local event with amazing speakers who are leaders in the LA Tech scene and globally. This week I’ll be at Twiistup, a more social tech event that is worth be driving an extra 100 miles that day. Bottom line, missing a big event is not an option, I never know when someone who I’m already connected to will introduce me to the person who will finally get me a job. For instance, at Startonomics, I finally met someone I had had an informational phone interview with, and while there he was contacted about a job and recommended me instead. He might have thought of me either way, but I’m sure seeing me earlier that day didn’t hurt. Can’t wait to see what happens at Twiistup.

If you attend a networking event, be ready to be asked tough questions if you open the door to asking for knowledge about job openings. Have your tagline and elevator pitch ready to roll and be engaging at all times.

Tonight, though I almost didn’t go, I attended at meeting of the Product Development and Management Association’s LA Chapter. They had a speaker talking about Government Relations, which didn’t really interest me, but the opportunity to network with people in my field was worth showing up.

Not only did I meet the Director of Business Development at USC Marshall, who offered to help me get into their career services department, but I met many people who are well connected in the product management world. By being open with them about my job situation and my varied knowledge base, I was able to get a few leads for potential employers. The best moment happened when one attendee, after speaking with me for a few minutes, said, “My company might have an opening that would be good for you, let’s sit for a 10-minute mini-interview.” Boy was I happy I dressed professionally for the event. I guess it went well, because ten minutes later, he gave me his info and a competitor’s info to send my resume for openings. They were both medical device companies, which given my Physiology background, would be pretty cool. Though not as flashy as tech, probably more fulfilling and definitely more exciting than insurance.