5 Networking Tips for Generation Z

5 Networking Tips for Generation Z5 Networking Tips for Generation ZPinMove over millennials, generation Z is the new kid in town. Generally thought of as the generation born from the mid-90s through the mid-2000s, generation Z is now entering the workforce.This generation is technologically savvy and likely grew up with social media. What can those in generation Z expect as they begin to enter the workforce and need to network to foster connections? Below were going over five networking tips for generation Z that can aid in using the skills they already have, while changing and adapting to a workforce of all ages.Here are five networking tips for generation Z1. Get out from behind the screen.As generation Z, youve probably grown up with a device in your hand from a young age. Technology comes naturally to your generation, and its likely a part of your everyday life. Despite this, its important to get out from behind the screen and do some in-person networking.While its not everyones favorite, meet ups and in-person networking events abound. You can connect with others online, but be sure to eventually suggest meeting up for coffee to plattl their brain or share ideas.2. Use social media responsibly.While emails, texting, and social media are probably second nature to you, be sure to not overly rely on them or overuse them. Not everyone will respond to emails or messages in as timely a manner as youd like. Firing off too many messages can come across as overbearing, and likely wont win you any points with any potential networking connections.On a similar note, pay attention to the amount you post on any professional social media accounts you create. Sharing consistent and occasional updates on LinkedIn or Twitter is a smart idea. Sharing random tidbits of your life multiple times per day is best saved for your personal accounts.3. Adapt to older processes.While you may prefer to have everything digital, such as your business card, your work samples, and your re sume, its wise to consider other options. People of other generations may prefer and expect you to hand them a paper business card or resume.Consider the industry youre wanting to enter and the manner in which youre networking. Are you attending a networking mixer with industry insiders? Its probably best to print up some business cards. Are you meeting for lunch with an entry-level employee at a company youre interested in working for? An emailed resume or a link to your website is probably sufficient.4. Meet one-on-one or in smaller groups.Large networking events can be difficult and intimidating for people of all ages. And thankfully theyre not the only networking options. Try seeking out individuals or small group meetings to lessen the intimidation factor. Networking doesnt have to be super formal.Try out LinkedIn Groups, or get active in Twitter discussions. You may be able to naturally strike up conversations that can lead to a one-on-one get-together or a recommendation for a future job.5. Connect with people and companies that are meaningful to you.As a member of generation Z, its likely that you really care about the mission and values of a company that you want to work for. Environmental responsibility, passion for the company product, and a flexible work environment tend to be important issues to younger generations. As youre job searching and networking, seek out connections with those who believe the same things you do about work.In an effort to get a job, any job, you may be tempted to align yourself with people and companies that dont fit your needs. Instead, research companies and follow and interact with them on social media to get a feel for their core beliefs and how they treat employees. Spend your time networking with people and companies that excite you and youll have increased success at finding a great first job.Know someone looking for a job? Refer a friend to with this link- youll get a month free service and theyll get 30% off

How to Close and Delete Your LinkedIn Account

How to Close and Delete Yur LinkedIn Account How to Close and Delete Your LinkedIn Account Need to delete your LinkedIn account? Weve compiled a quick guide and detailed step-by-step rundown to simplify the process, plus how to backup your LinkedIn data or cancel LinkedIn Premium.How to Delete Your LinkedIn Account Log into your LinkedIn accountSelect the tab under your profile picture in the top toolbarChoose Settings and Privacy from the dropdown menuIn the Account tab, select Closing Your LinkedIn AccountSelect the reason for closing your account and hit nextSelect Close AccountHow to Delete Your LinkedIn Profile (Details and Pictures)Step 1 Log into your LinkedIn account with your username and password and click Sign in.Step 2 Select your profile picture in the top toolbar.Step 3 Choose Settings and Privacy (located beneath the Account section) from the dropdown menu.Step 4 Select the Account tab on the next page (it defaults to the Privacy tab).Once youre there, scroll all the w ay down to the bottom of the page and click Closing Your LinkedIn Account (beneath Account Management).Step 5 Select the reason for closing your account, or select other if none of the reasons apply to you. Then, click Next. Note If you are a LinkedIn Premium user, follow steps4-6intheHowtoDeactivateLinkedInPremiumsectionbelow,thenreturntothesedirections.Step 6Enter your password and selectCloseAccount. VoilaYouveofficiallydeletedyourLinkedInprofile.How to Backup LinkedIn Data Before Deleting Your AccountAfraid to see your profile cleared away? LinkedIn gives you the option of downloading your data before deleting your account. Heres how to backup your LinkedIn data.Step 1 Select your profile picture from the top toolbar and click Settings and Privacy when the dropdown menu appears.Step 2 In the privacy tab, select Download your data. You can choose to download The works (everything) or select specific data to backup. Click Request Archive. It can take 24 hours for the download to b e sent to you.Why You Shouldnt Delete Your LinkedIn AccountLinkedIn is a top-notch networking site for job seekers, but dont be so quick to delete your LinkedIn account after youve landed a new job. Did you know 87% of recruiters use LinkedIn to find candidates? While you may be thrilled with your current position, future you will be glad you remained visible to recruiters and continued building your network.When youre not actively job searching, a little bit of routine maintenance to your LinkedIn profile isnt a bad idea. Jobscans LinkedIn Optimization tool helps refresh your profile and keep it current, attracting new opportunities and keeping you prepared for a future job search.LinkedIn can also keep you connected to clients and their concerns or changes within your industry. Joining LinkedIn groups and following industry leaders can help keep you abreast of the changing industry climates.How to Deactivate LinkedIn PremiumIf you want to keep your LinkedIn account but simply want to downgrade to a basic LinkedIn account, follow these stepsStep 1 Select your profile picture from the top toolbar Step 2 Select Premium Subscription Settings from the dropdown menu.Step 3In the righthand toolbar, select Cancel Subscription. You may have to scroll down the page too view this section.Step 4 Select Continue to Cancel.Step 5 Select your reason for deactivating LinkedIn Premium (or select other if none of the reasons apply to you) and click Continue to cancel.Note the Continue to cancel button will not be clickable until you select your reason for canceling.Step 6 (One more time for the cheap seats) Select Confirm cancel one last time.Congrats Youve successfully deactivated your LinkedIn Premium account.For more on how to use LinkedIn, check out our LinkedIn for Job Seekers resources.

The Lazy Way to Get Ahead at Work

The Lazy Way to Get Ahead at WorkThe Lazy Way to Get Ahead at WorkWhen I welches early on in my career, just a baby consultant (before I broke free and became a career coach), I used to wonder a lot of things. Namely, how people got ahead. Or, to put it another way How did that kind-of-douchey guy get promoted so quickly?And, why did that other girl seem to get jobs so easily? Also, how was that senior manager on the fast track? He was so youngIt took me a while to realize that they had one big thing in common They had support.The douchey guy had a powerful uncle who was willing to open doors.The other girl seemed to have an amazing network of peers who kept her in the know about job openings.The senior manager on the fast track seemed to have a regular hang-out with the leadership team. And then there was me. Tall, a little awkward, and sometimes too direct. Sure, I was good at my job, but I also felt like I was getting left behind.Through too much directness, I had also made a not- friend of my company-assigned mentor (i.e., the person who was in dienstgrad of promoting me). I also hadnt spent much time getting to know my leadership team. You can guess that the first promotion I wanted didnt come as quickly as I had hoped for. Now, dont get me wrong The first step to getting ahead is to do great work and be known as someone people can count on. But step two is something that many people forget putting together a career support team. After all, if no one knows about how great your work is, or how great you are, then all the great work in the world wont help you move up the ladder or hand you that amazing opportunity youve been waiting for. So, how do you build that team? Here are three steps to consider at any job- ideally sooner, rather than later.Step 1 Focus on Your PeersSpend some time getting to know people at your level across the company. For one, it makes the workday a whole lot mora fun when you know your co-workers. But in addition, people move on all the time, and when they do, they can be a wonderful way for you to peek into a new company. Working side-by-side with someone is an obvious way to do that, but so is hanging out at company happy hour, inviting people to lunch or coffee, and just having a conversation at the coffee machine that isnt about work. (Yep, you want to build relationships, not just work contacts.) And as people do change projects, leave the company, or move on in general, maintain your connection with them. Keep in touch though social media and also through conversation- in person. Its amazing what one dinner or lunch can do to land you a new (and fabulous) job. Step 2 Seek Out a MentorMentoring has gotten to be a pretty formal term these days, but I think we are taking it too seriously. The truth is that you can be mentored by anyone you trust- a senior family member, an old boss, a leader in your company, or even a former peer who has moved up. It doesnt have to be a formal relationship, either, just som eone who you can bounce ideas off of and who has some wisdom or guidance to offer when you need some insight. Wondering if you should change jobs? Looking for a certain connection at a new company? Trying to get a meeting with a higher-up? Pick two or three people you know who you think have great advice for you or insight into something you are wondering about, and start informally chatting with them. Maybe its an office drive-by, a quick coffee, or a 20-minute phone call. Whatever makes sense for them (and you). Most people like to feel wise and valued, and if you are mindful of their time and appreciative of what they have to offer, it will pay dividends for you in the future.If you cant identify anyone who might fill this role, ask others who their mentors are, and see if that spurs ideas. You can also give it time and see who comes your way. Its the approved kind of stalkingStep 3 Get a SponsorSponsors are different than mentors- they are people in your current organization who are actively trying to help you move up the ladder. They help you because they like you and because your moving up helps them- you have a talent, skill, or ability that benefits them, so they are willing to go to bat for you. Finding someone who can be a true sponsor and winning them over takes time and work, but its well worth the effort. Id start with your manager or someone else whos one level above you. Ask to schedule time on this persons calendar to pick his or her brain about your career and plans for growth, asking for feedback, input, and advice. After that, go out of your way to be incredibly useful to this person, both in your current responsibilities and by taking on new ones, speaking up in meetings, and generally being a go-to employee. Finally, stay connected through informal hallway chats, office drive-bys, and scheduled check-ins, so youre always on your sponsors radar. And for me? Well, I asked for and got a new company mentor who really turned out to be a sponsor in disguise, and I spent as much time as possible being helpful to her, getting to know my leadership team, and being amazing at my job. When promotion time came back around, I had an army of advocates who helped me get that next great position, and then the one after that. Three quick promotions later, I could look back and trace some of my success directly to my career support team. Bottom line Work hard, but make sure you have the right community surrounding you. Theres no end to what you can do.Feeling stuck and like you need an amazing community to help you find a career you love? Wishing that community was fun and also enjoyed wine? Youre in luck The Career on Fire retreat might be the perfect thing for you. Its a place for you to explore your passion and take some action, and its happening this October in Sonoma. Learn more now.Photo of man sleeping on desk courtesy of Shutterstock.