Slide deck for HDI 2011 presentation on Professional Networking for the IT Geek

1. Networking for the IT
Professional and the IT Geek
Michael Fisher
Molina Healthcare, Inc.

2. Michael Fisher
Molina Healthcare, Inc.
• 20+ years IT experience
Speaker Name
• Currently Supervisor of Desktop Support
Speaker Company
for Molina Healthcare in Long Beach, CA
• HDI Certified SupportBio
Brief Center Manager
Insert Picture
• President Orange County HDI Chapter
…and an avid amateur musician!

3. Why Network?
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
• The remaining 48% get jobs through referrals - NETWORKS
Speaker Name
According to BLS in 2010:
Speaker Company
• 40% of jobs filled are never advertised in public
• 30% of jobs are filled Brief Bio known to the employer
by someone
Insert Picture
How do these connections happen?
 NETWORKING 

4. Why am I here?
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.

5. Why am I here?
I learned about Networking the hard way.
• I had an unexpected job loss in 2004.
• Started Networking from ZERO.
• Made lots of rookie Networking mistakes…
• …but I figured it out.

6. What is this “Network” thing?
Network (net-wərk), n. An interconnected
system of things or people.
But it’s used as a Verb, too…

7. Bad Noun-Verb Conversions
Architect (“I architected this site” )
Gift (“She gifted me” )
Regift (“I regifted that fruitcake” )
Dialogue (“We dialogued” )
Signature (“It’s a signatured baseball” )
And of course…

8. What is this “Network” thing?
Network (net-wərk), v. to cultivate people who
can be helpful to one professionally, esp. in finding
employment or moving to a higher position.
• Networking is about building relationships.
• It’s a verb, not a noun.
Networking is something you have to DO.

9. What is this “Networking” thing?
NETWORKING IS NOT ALWAYS COMFORTABLE
• We are Geeks. We are more comfortable with
devices and GUIs than with people.
• Networking takes you out of your comfort zone.

10. What Professional Networking Is
Networking is about making and building
connections with PEOPLE.
In Real Time.
It involves: Meeting people.
Calling people. Talking to people.
Connecting people. Remembering people.
HELPING PEOPLE.

11. The Secret to Networking
• Networking isn’t about “What can you
do for me?”
• It’s about “What can I do for you?”

12. What You Can Give
• Volunteer your time
 Offer to help out at an event
 Share information, advice and perspectives
 Position yourself as a valued expert
• Positive Encouragement
 Find out what they’re doing, and show your
interest

13. What You Can Give
• Expertise
 You have a unique and valid POV
 Share information, advice and perspectives
 Position yourself as a valued expert
• Connections
 As you build it, your network will become a
valuable commodity
 Look for ways to connect people
 This will make YOU a valuable resource

14. What Professional Networking Isn’t
• Surfing Websites
• Job Boards
• Selling a Service or Product
• Online Role-Playing Games
• Wasting time
• Partying
Networking is a focused activity.

15. Components of a Successful Professional
Network
• Online Components
• LinkedIn The
• Facebook Big
• Twitter 3
• Plaxo, Spoke, Ning, Naymz,
Foursquare, etc…

16. Components of a Successful Professional
Network
• Offline (In-Person) Components
• Professional Conferences
• HDI Local Chapter meetings
• ITSMF
• PMI
• Find other local groups!

17. 5 Networking Principles
• It’s not a One-Night Stand, it’s an Ongoing
Commitment
• Don’t wait until you need your network.
Start now.
• 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.”

18. How to Work a Room
• 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!
Source: UC Berkeley Career Center
https://career.berkeley.edu/article/021011b.stm

19. ACTIVITY: Introduce Yourself!
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!

20. How Do I Keep It Alive?
• 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.

21. Pitfalls To Avoid
• Over-reliance on one channel
 DANGER: ONLINE CATNIP FOR THE
GEEK!
• Not Listening
• Not Offering to Help
• Sales and Marketing
• Not being persistent about it

22. Tips To Employ
• Offer and Provide Help
• Volunteer to help at events
• Respond to requests for expertise
• Share your experience

23. Tips To Employ
• 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 Ordesky
http://www.exectec.us
@firqby

24. Tips To Employ
• Elevator Speech
• Business Cards
• Even if not employed – Business Cards
are cheap
• Include your LinkedIN URL and Twitter
username on your card

25. Go Do It!
Michael Fisher
michael.fisher@molinahealthcare.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelrfisher
@michaelrfisher
 Thanks for your time! 

26. Thank you for attending.
Please Complete the
Evaluation