Sital Ruparelia

In recent weeks I’ve had flurry of questions about using LinkedIn.

So over the next week I plan to post the 7 most common questions I’ve been asked along with my typical reply.

Here’s the first question and answer:

Question 1: “I’m just getting into LinkedIn – what would you say is your number one rule or principle for using LinkedIn?”

Answer: Focus on helping others, not just growing your network or ‘getting stuff’

The currency of networking is generosity – i.e. helping others.

And that’s what your focus should be when doing any kind of networking – being helpful and valuable to your network of contacts instead of simply trying to ‘get stuff’ from them – e.g. job leads, contacts or potential customers for your products and services.

LinkedIn is simply a networking tool – a technology platform to connect with your professional network.

And so the principle of being generous applies to your interactions on LinkedIn too. So if you’re new to LinkedIn,  don’t worry too much about how to do stuff – just keep asking  yourself “how can I help my contacts?” and  “how can I be of value to them?” and you’ll figure out everything else as you go along.

Just remember: We reep what we sow. So focus on cultivating a strong LinkedIn network by focussing on what you put into to it-  and in time all the support, contacts and leads will come to you (very often from different sources).

So what’s your number 1 LinkedIn rule or principle? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments box below.

Look out for the answer to Question 2 tomorrow:

Question 2: “What’s a good number of contacts to have on LinkedIn? How do I quickly increase the number of connections I have?

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By the way, if you’re currently job searching and want to know how to use LinkedIn to find your next job, you may want to take a look at my instantly downloadable audio programme: “7 Ways To Find Your Next Job Using LinkedIn.”

I’ll talk and walk you through some simple yet effective ways to speed up your job search using LinkedIn. For further details, click here now.

1. Play to strengths
2. Do work that you enjoy
3. Work in an environment that suits your style and values
4. Make your work compliment your overall lifestyle
5. Do something of value instead of just chasing the money Click here to read the rest…

I am excited to announce a series of instantly download able Audio and Video Programmes to help you deal with specific career related matters

These extremely affordable solutions feature me speaking directly to you from my couch about how to deal with your biggest career related problems and head aches.
The programmes will launched and available from the beginning of January to help you kick start your career in 2010. But starting from today – for 14 days only – I’m offering all 9 programmes at a 35% discount special pre-launch price

Take your time to look through the summary below or go straight to webpage by clicking here

Click here to read the rest…

Many career experts and recruiters will tell you that December is a bad time for your career.  Many businesses experts will tell you that for non-seasonal businesses, December is a slow time.  A time to take it easy and focus on planning for the new year.

I think that’s complete nonsense.

Many job seekers often think about taking a break or ‘disappearing’ during December.

Big mistake.

In fact, it’s the complete opposite – December is actually the most important month in your calendar.

Why?

Click here to read the rest…

I Hate…

I hate formal ‘networking events.’ The ones where you have to ‘work a room.’

I hate ‘networking breaks’ at seminars and conferences where you have people madly collecting business cards and staring over your shoulder (instead of looking and listening to you) to see who else they can exchange business cards with after they’ve finished with you.

I  hate breakfast networking events – I’m a night owl and so prefer to avoid early morning appointments and events wherever possible.

I hate blogs where the people taking part in conversations are simply there to self promote: comments such as “Hey great article! By the way, your readers should take a look at my 6 part course on xyz – follow this link now!” (I never ever click on those links).

I hate networking with anyone that doesn’t say ‘thank you.’ Good manners cost nothing. Bad manners tell me lots about the other person.

I Love..

I love hanging out in coffee shops and hotel lounges with nice sofas to catch up with friends and professional contacts.

I love going for drinks in cool bars where you can actually hear yourself speak – especially if they’ve got nice sofas (..as you can see, it’s all about the sofas for me!).

I love pinging an email or a LinkedIn note to introduce two people in my network who I think may be able to help each other. Not because I want a ‘kick back’ or a favour; but because I enjoy connecting people. And as a by product of this, I strengthen my relationship with them

I love sitting in the lounge at my local gym (on a comfy sofa off course) with my Blackberry and emailing or calling people I haven’t spoken to for a while just to say “hey, long time no speak – how are things?”

I love catching up with old friends over an informal dinner

I love blogs where there is an exchanging of ideas, resources, opinions and debate in the comments sections. A genuine desire to add to the content/discussion rather than it being all about self gain and self promotion.

Networking With Authenticity Is Effortless

I find networking effortless because I choose those networking activities that play to my strengths and natural style. So instead of it being a chore – it’s fun. Anything that is fun is effortless. And any activity that is effortless, is more likely to yield the results you want.

I mean, who says networking “should” involve going to fancy ‘networking events’ and ‘working a room?’ That’s just one version.

Networking is all about establishing and developing genuine relationships – you can’t build genuine relationships if you feel really uncomfortable and a bit of a fraud. So network in a way that feels natural and authentic to you and you’ll build deeper relationships and be better placed to attract the kind of results you want.

How To Network Effortlessly

1. Choose the networking activities you love

Those networking activities (or relationship building activities), that you really enjoy. The ones that come naturally to you and have always come naturally to you.

2. Avoid networking acitivities which you hate

Activities which don’t suit your style and make you think “that’s just not me.”

3. Be honest with yourself

There’s a big difference between activities which are not your natural style – and activities which you’re scared to try out because they are outside your comfort zone.

So yes, play to strengths – but please don’t use this article as an excuse to avoid testing your comfort zone!

4. Keep a close eye on these 21 networking tips

By The Way….If you’re struggling to find job opportunities and would like help in finding your next job via your networking you may want to look at our audio programme “How To Get A Job Using Your Network’. During this instantly download able 60 minute programme we’ll take you step by step through the process of finding your next job through your network – even if you feel you don’t have many contacts. Click here for all the details.

Similar Posts:

3 Reasons To Network Yourself Into Your Next Job

Job Hunters: Further Tip On Networking

Are You Missing 60% Of Opportunities?

21 Networking Tips For Job Seekers

 4 Reasons Why You Stop Yourself Getting Support After Redundancy

1. Focus on networking with your warmest contacts FIRST

2. Be clear about your objectives and what you want (and don’t want)

3. Be generous in sharing ideas, resources, contacts

4. Don’t keep score

5. Be yourself

6. Ask lots of open questions – who? what? how? when?

7. Network with a wide range of contacts outside your immediate connections

8. Ensure you have an online presence and are using social media platforms to establish an online brand (Eg LinkedIn.com, start a blog etc)

Click here to read the rest…

Are you struggling to find a job despite all the time and effort you’re putting in?

Well here’s some advice for you – stop looking.

That’s right, stop spending your whole week job searching and instead spend part of your week doing something completely different. And I don’t mean watch TV or ‘do lunch’ with friends.

Instead, go and do something of value, something that would make a difference to someone else. By spending more time helping others, and less time on your own search, you’ll paradoxically find that you improve your chances of finding work.

If you’re out of work, here are 10 suggested projects for you:

Click here to read the rest…

I’m constantly surprised at how so many people try to deal job loss and redundancy on their own.

One of the first questions I ask clients who have recently lost their jobs is “Have you announced your redundancy to every single person in your personal and professional network..?”

On average, only about 30% of people say ‘yes’ – the other 70% have often not told many people at all – even several week’s after being laid off.

When I ask why – they usually say “oh, I err, just haven’t….” – but I usually know what’s going on. When I ask further questions and probe further, there are some common reasons for not telling others about their situation.

Here are 4 of the most common reasons why people are shy about sharing – along with my usual response is:

1. “I feel embarassed..”

Click here to read the rest…

Thanks to Scot Herrick from CubeRules for the inspiration behind this post. He’s recent article Every Job Is A Consulting Job got me thinking about how just ‘thinking’ like a freelance consultant (even if you’re in a permanent job) can protect your career during an economic downturn.

You see, there is no such thing as a ‘permanent’ employee in the modern work place – we’re all consultants. Technology, globalisation and increased competition have conspired to create a world where change and restructuring are part and parcel of all our lives – even in a good economy. So even if you have a ‘permanent contract of employment’, in today’s work place the organisation can no longer promise job security. With increased prosperity and lifestyle changes, individuals cannot promise loyalty to a particular employer. Consequently we’re all consultants or free agents – the CEO of Me Plc / Inc.

It is a mindset shift. But once you ‘get it’ and start thinking like a freelance consultant, it pays huge dividends because it completely changes the way you behave. When you think like a consultant, a few things happen:

1. You take much more responsibility for your own career instead of relying on an organisation to manage your career

2. You’re forced to have plenty of other ‘irons in the fire’ in the form of other roles just in case required

3. You become more proactive in developing a wide network.

4. You become very results driven. Results lead to testimonials, repeat business and referals (the lifeblood of an independent consultant). So being focussed on results and the value you create for employers / clients makes of much more valuable in the market place

5. You’re more focussed on managing your personal brand in order to differentiate yourself from competitors

More valuable + Better networked + More career options + More proactive in managing career + strong personal brand = Less vulnerable to downturns

As this little ‘career formula’ illustrates, during a downturn, the typical behaviours of a consultant can protect you and your career. Every market has it’s winners and losers. Thinking and behaving like a consultant can help you become one of the winners.

By the way if you’re looking for further help in protecting your career in the current downturn, you may want to take a look at our FREE teleseminar “How To Find Job During Recession.” In this complimentary call you will discover what it takes to find opportunities in the current market. Further details and information on signing up click here now.