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Interviewing for information presents one of the greatest
challenges to job seekers -- yet it's still the Number One
way most people change careers. When you network this way,
you aren't asking for a job -- just learning more about the
culture, skills and informal rules of a new career. Here
are seven tips to GET SET for your networking challenge.

G = Grow! . Begin anywhere! Talk to friends, neighbors,
professionals -- anyone but your coworkers and present
employer. Begin the chain of "know someone who knows
someone whoF" After each meeting, get at least three new
names to cal. You can also:

a Join professional associations. a Attend lunch meetings of
other professional associations. a Take graduate classes. a
Attend alumni association meetings. a Become visible within
your professional and geographic community.

E= Elevator speech. Prepare a twenty-second summary to
answer the question, "Who are you and why are you talking to
me?" You'll need separate speeches for each option you
investigate

T = Target. Network to those who can help, not necessarily
those easiest to find. Talking to ten sales assistants
probably won't help you learn how managers hire sales
people.

S= Strangers: Chances are people who know you will have
trouble imagining you in a new career. Recruiters prefer to
present applicants with a job-specific track record.

E = Enthusiasm. If you are truly interested in the
topic, others will respond positively. They'll know if
you're just going through the motions.

T = Thank you note - at least a brief email saying, "I
enjoyed talking with you. I appreciated learning about
[industry] and [jobs] especially [F]. I will be following
up with Joe Smith, Mary Jones and Earline Edwards."

And then move on! If you've followed the GET SET
steps, you have at least three new people to call.
And one of those calls may hold the key your very
exciting Second Career.

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Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D., author, speaker and consultant,
can help you take Your First Step to A Second Career.
Resume and Interview Preparation:
http://www.cathygoodwin.com/jobsearch.html
"Ten secrets of mastering a major life change."
http://www.cathygoodwin.com/subscribe.html
Website: http://www.cathygoodwin.com
Contact: mailto:cathy@... 505-534-4294





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