Michael FisherMolina Healthcare, Inc.

• 25+ years IT experience• Currently Supervisor of Desktop

Support for Molina Healthcare in Long Beach, CA

• HDI Certified Support Center Manager• President Orange County HDI Chapter

Michael Fisher

…and an avid amateur musician!

According to US Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2001:• 5% of people get jobs through “open” job market (Print & online)• Another 24% get jobs through “cold calling” companies• 48% get jobs through referrals - NETWORKS

According to BLS in 2010:• 40% of jobs filled are never advertised in public• 30% of jobs are filled by someone known to the employer

How do these connections happen?

NETWORKING

I learned about Networking the hard way.

• I am a longtime IT geek.• I was more comfortable with e-contact than face-

to-face encounters.• Networking was fuzzy and unfamiliar…

∴ It was to be avoided.

• I had an unexpected job loss in 2004.• Started Networking from ZERO.• Made lots of rookie Networking mistakes…• …but I figured it out.

I learned about Networking the hard way.

Network (net-wərk), n. An interconnected system of things or people.

But it’s used as a Verb, too…

Architect (“I architected this site” )Gift (“She gifted me” )

Dialogue (“We dialogued” )Signature (“It’s a signatured baseball” )

And of course…

Regift (“I regifted that fruitcake” )

• Networking is about building relationships.

Networking is something you have to DO.

Network (net-wərk), v. to cultivate people who can be helpful to one professionally, esp. in finding employment or moving to a higher position.

• It’s a verb, not a noun.

• We are Geeks. We are more comfortable with devices and GUIs than with people.

NETWORKING IS NOT ALWAYS COMFORTABLE

• Networking takes you out of your comfort zone.

HELPING PEOPLE.

Networking is about making and building connections with PEOPLE.

In Real Time.

It involves:Calling people. Remembering people.Meeting people. Connecting people.

Talking to people.

• Networking isn’t about “What can you do for me?”

• It’s about “What can I do for you?”

• Volunteer your timeOffer to help out at an eventHelp someone with their key projectWhat can you do that nobody else can?

• Positive EncouragementFind out what they’re doing, and show your

interest

• ExpertiseYou have a unique and valid POVShare information, advice and perspectivesPosition yourself as a valued expert

• ConnectionsAs you build it, your network will become a

valuable commodityLook for ways to connect peopleThis will make YOU a valuable resource

• Surfing Websites• Job Boards• Selling a Service or Product

• Wasting time• Partying

• Online Role-Playing Games

Networking is a focused activity.

• Online Components

TheBig3

• Plaxo, Spoke, Ning, Naymz, Foursquare, etc…

• Facebook• Twitter

• LinkedIn

• Offline (In-Person) Components

• Find other local groups!

• HDI Local Chapter meetings• ITSMF

• Professional Conferences

• PMI

• It’s not a One-Night Stand, it’s an Ongoing Commitment

• Seek In-Person contact before Online contact.

• “Help First, Ask Last.”

• If help is offered, Take It. (Graciously!)

“Nothing will bind someone to you more firmly than if they have given you assistance.”

• Make yourself Positively Memorable

Source: UC Berkeley Career Centerhttps://career.berkeley.edu/article/021011b.stm

• Check your attitude• Redefine what it means to interact with

“strangers”• Prepare and practice your self-introduction• Risk rejection – it’s not the end of the world• Go introduce yourself and find out how you

can help!

In the next 5 minutes:• Introduce yourself to someone you’ve never met• Find out who they are and what they do• Find a way you can be of help to them

Make a Connection!

• Stay on People’s Radar. Social Media can be useful for this.

• Offer to Help. This makes you stand out.

• Invest Time. Small gestures go a long way.

• Over-reliance on one channelDANGER: ONLINE CATNIP FOR THE GEEK!

• Not Listening• Not Offering to Help• Sales and Marketing• Not being persistent about it

• Don’t Wait• Networks take time to build, START NOW!

• Offer and Provide Help• Volunteer to help at events• Respond to requests for expertise• Share your experience

• Have an Objective• Set up Metrics

• “The 15 Slots”• 15 meals per week - Breakfast, Lunch

& Dinner, Monday through Friday• How many of those 15 slots are you

filling with Networking Opportunities?

Source: Joel Ordeskyhttp://firqby.tumblr.com/post/616390567/15-slots-of-networking

@firqby

• Elevator Speech• Business Cards

• Even if not employed – Business Cards are cheap

• Include your LinkedIN URL and Twitter username on your card (and your resume!)

• Networking is essential to any 21st century career

• It’s about “What can I do for you?”• Networking is not a Magic Bullet

(you can network into bad jobs, too)

• But it is how people get hired.

Thanks for your time!

Michael Fishermichael.fisher@molinahealthcare.com

http://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelrfisher

@michaelrfisher