BCjobs Blog

By Gayle Hallgren-Rezac, Speaker, Co-Author Work The Pond! Do you know the Verizon ads with that mass of people standing behind a single customer? It’s similar to the huge network that stands behind each of us, and everyone we meet. It symbolizes opportunity, but we often ask ourselves it is really worth going up and talking to that person we don’t know? Should I really make that call, it’s been so long since we talked? What could really happen if I talked to that other soccer parent at the field on Sunday?

Effective networking may seem like old hat, but chances are that you could benefit from a refresher. In our training seminars on Positive Networking®, we get attendees to rate their skills at the beginning of the course.

Networking — does the thought of it make you uneasy? If you’re the type of person who’d rather spend time in the dentist’s chair than meet new people, you’re not alone.

Social networking groups provide both instruction and diversion. Some workplaces have blocked and encouraged the use of social networking groups.

The Globe and Mail newspaper recently interviewed Tamara Vrooman, a top Canadian business leader. At forty Tamara Vrooman is the CEO of Vancity, Canada’s largest credit union with $14.1 billion in assets. Tamara took on this role in September 2007 after leaving a stellar career as Deputy minister of finance with the government of British Columbia.

Holiday season networking can help you overcome reservations you have about reaching out. One of the top questions audiences ask is, “How do I follow up with someone I haven’t spoken with in quite a while?” When you are looking for a job this becomes even more anxiety inducing

One dark night in 1972, the pilots of Eastern Airlines flight 401 inbound to Miami noticed an undercarriage warning light. All three pilots became distracted, focusing only on the warning light. Was it really a problem with the nose wheel or was it a faulty light bulb?

Job fair preparation becomes key around this time of year, as career fair season moves into full swing. If you Google “job fairs” or “career fairs” in BC and Alberta, you’ll see that there are any number of opportunities to get out and meet potential employers this fall.

Make an impact – an unforgettable one! Sounds good, but how do you make an impact—one that stands out? We know people are so swamped they simply scan emails, delete the names of people they don’t recognize and focus only on the people they know.

Making time for networking — I had thought of calling this article, “Finding the Time for Networking” but the truth is that finding the time is not really the biggest hurdle. Instead, it’s making the time.