The same scenario may be in play for those workers who have fallen behind the times, not keeping their skills fresh in a fast-moving world.

Therefore, it is quite important to keep current with trends and skills pertaining to your profession. Once way of doing this is to join one or more of the professional associations which support your particular line of work and/or your business sector.

To give an example, in my position as a project manager, the Project Management Institute (PMI) is recognized as the predominant association for the practice, and provides for local chapter meetings, training and professional development opportunities, conferences, and certifications.

A simple web search may help you to find associations which represent your field, as illustrated above. You can then leverage the value of professional associations to take advantage of the following possible opportunities:

1. Networking
   • Attending chapter meetings, annual conferences, training or study groups will provide significant chances to meet others in your field of interest to network with
2. Certification
   • Professional certifications, such as PMI’s Project Managment Professional (PMP) designation, lend additional credibility to your candidacy by showing that you took the initiative to become certified.
   • Many certifications also require a specific minimum number of continuing education hours as well.  These provide added incentive to practice networking, and perhaps to develop new friendships in your chosen field.
3. Resume Enhancement
   • If you begin study for a recognized certification, and you indicate this on your resume, this can add value, as many automated resume scanning software will most likely key in on the term.  Just be sure to indicate that the cert is ‘In Progress’ or ‘Expected’ so as not to mislead.
   • Many certifications also require a specific minimum number of continuing education hours as well.  These provide added incentive to practice networking, and perhaps to develop new friendships in your chosen field.
4. Gravitas
   • Many workers consider their employment as just showing up, performing simply what is specified, and collecting a paycheck.  (That’s not you, right?)
   • By joining a professional association, you demonstrate that you have a greater commitment to your craft, in that you are interested in developing your expertise, perhaps by attending many of the events listed in the first bullet (above).
5. Volunteerism
   • Professional associations are mostly staffed by volunteers, who may be looking for additional help to ease their burden.
   • A great way to meet new people in your field would be to volunteer to help the membership committee, maybe even as a greeter at the sign-in table at local chapter meetings.
6. Sharing your expertise
   • As an offshoot of volunteering, you may consider presenting at a local meeting or writing an article for the chapter’s newsletter or website.
   • This also will blend well with resume enhancement, as you could then list your speaking or writing experience beneath your entry for the professional association, or even under a separate section titled ‘Additional Experience’ or ‘Additional Qualifications’.

Search the web for associations which cover your field or sector. Select a nearby chapter, and commit to attend an upcoming meeting.  Agree to make at least one new contact there.

In order to inspire other readers with your action(s), please be sure to add a comment, celebrating your successes.

Just like when dealing with a swimming pool full of wicked cold water on a hot summer day, there are some who will dive right in. Others would prefer to wade in slowly, gradually adjusting to the drastic temperature difference. In my opinion, the divers equate to those who raised their hands to signify their love of networking.

Though I personally have grown to enjoy networking, I continue to wade into a pool when the water seems a tad cool. For me, networking is really just being friendly and personable, but with maybe a bit more focus.

To give an example, just the other day, I was with my family, eating at a favorite soup & salad restaurant. Later, I returned for a take-out item, and chatted with the cashier, who served us earlier.

During our impromptu conversation, I learned some things — that she followed her fiancé down to Florida, that he was a year or two older than she was, that he has a good job working in accounting and administration in a local college, and the cashier position was one of her two jobs, the other being with the mega-entertainment company that dominates in the area. Plus, she indicated that she relocated from the same state and county up north that I live in.

If I were looking for employment in this area, I could say that I just made a solid connection in just a brief few minutes, all while waiting for my delicious multi-grain bread to finish baking, which was my intended mission in the first place.

Then, I could probably speak to her further about prospects in the entertainment company, including whether they’re hiring.  I could similarly ask about the college, and hope that she would consider connecting me with her fiancé, to further explore that possibility instead. This all resulted from my just being friendly and personable at the end of a salad bar, and perhaps willing to inquire further and ask a follow-up question or two, such as about her fiancé’s work in the area.

Wouldn’t you say that the above results amounted from little more than a “wade”, by carrying on an easy conversation with someone who chats with customers all day long?

Had I truly been interested in learning more about opportunities in the area, connecting with new and helpful people, etc., I would have made a point to carry some personal business cards along with me wherever I traveled. This would allow me to easily share my information, both contact info and other takeaways that I want the recipient to know about me.

If you don’t already have a personal business card, please get one right away. On-line vendors offer professional-looking cards for reasonable prices.

Besides your name and contact information, what additional key points would you want someone to remember about you?  How could you present this information on a personal business card, to not only make you more memorable, but also to help you to stand out from your competition in the job search?

Editor’s note: KJ is currently in Florida with his family, but continues to blog for his LeggUpp readers.

During my current travels, I was struck by the contrast of these two different fish, as depicted on custom wall tiles.  The meaning of the noun, flounder, refers to the fish.  However, it is the verb meaning that gave me concern.  Two formal definitions are given, when I query Merriam-Webster.com:

1. to struggle to move or obtain footing : thrash about wildly
2. to proceed or act clumsily or ineffectually

When I began my recent job search, I found that I sometimes acted clumsily and ineffectually, struggling to get proper footing.  It was only after I learned that the internet age had changed the rules, did I begin to make some headway.

Only after a realized the value of networking in the search, did I actually begin move ahead, and upward — much like the sailfish on the corresponding  tile.  In fact, the sailfish is much more active, and feisty!  It can be seen jumping out of the water, displaying its true splendor for all to see.

One can learn a lesson from the sailfish, and apply it to the art of informational interviewing — a more outgoing form of networking.  In an informational interview, the job seeker reaches out to key people from whom good things can be gained — insights about an industry or company, new skills or trends that should be explored, and most importantly, referrals.

But just as the sailfish, you must display your splendor, in the form of success stories.  Think of these as those events in your past jobs that you’re most proud of, and those which you’d like to show to others when you have the opportunity to “leap out of the water”, and stop floundering.

Consider your most impacting success story that, when shared with others, your eyes would widen and your face would light up.  Now, try to think of three to six more of those that make you similarly proud.

How many stories were you able to muster?  Which one would you consider your most effective?

Editor’s note: KJ is currently in Florida with his family, but continues to blog for his LeggUpp readers.

In my personal job search just a few years ago, I approached it like a gatherer. That is, I spent many hours on the internet job boards, gathering up jobs which I thought I would be suitable for. Then, I prepared my cover letter, submitted my resume, and recorded another job submission that I’d hope to hear back from real soon. A similar approach would occur with headhunters, who would connect with me with promises of possible matches on job reqs which they had, or would have in the future. More possibilities were gathered in during those discussions.

Gathering was safe. I could tell myself, and those who were pulling for me, that I was making progress. Surely, one of the online submissions would amount to solid interest, an engaging interview, followed by real offer. But days, weeks, and months seemed to pass without actual success.  What was I doing wrong?

It wasn’t until I began to appreciate the value of hunting, did I begin to gain real traction.

Hunting begins with networking.  In our analogy, networking would equate to asking other (job) hunters where the game could be found. But it also involves storytelling, too. In earlier times, hunters would circle a campfire to relate success stories to their tribesmates.

When networking, and especially in an informational interview, you should come prepared with many an interesting story about successes during your career, as this helps to build interest and rapport. These success stories will show you to be the solid performer that you are, and thus make you more attractive to hiring companies.

Just like news about a nearby herd of bison, when you conduct a series of information interviews, word about your value and skills will spread, perhaps to someone who will approach you about a position instead. And, in a job search, isn’t it more advantageous to be the hunted, rather than the hunter?

Consider whom in your industry would be interesting to conduct an informational interview with. Reach out and request a 15-minute meeting. Arrive prepared to listen first, but to share some success stories, too.

Asking for informational interviews may seem difficult at first, but become easier after each successive one. Please be sure to use the comment section below to share your experiences with your fellow hunters.

When the game proves challenging, you’ll be glad that you sought out help — just like those in the picture above.

The reason for the baseball theme of this blogpost is that I recently achieved a personal milestone in LinkedIn — connecting on-line with 1,000 others in my network.  When I reflected upon my hitting one thousand, my thoughts quickly flicked to that magic number in our national pastime.

In a job search, however, perfection really isn’t achievable, but continued perseverance is. Therefore, for you to be successful, you should look for new opportunities to expand your network. As illustrated above, 1,000 LinkedIn connections can give you access to over 10 million others — many of whom may be able to help you achieve your goal.

How many LinkedIn connections do you currently have? Have you met people recently, at networking events, professional association meetings, etc., that you still haven’t connected with on-line?

Think about (at least) five people that you’ve met recently that you should add to your LinkedIn network. Then, send each a personal note, requesting to connect.

Pretty soon, you’ll be hitting 1,000 as well.  Be sure to celebrate, and share your newfound LinkedIn success story in the comment section below. Doing so will help provide encouragement to others who are still waiting in the on-deck circle.