Make A Great First Impression

 Will Rogers said, "You'll never get a second chance to make a great first impression."

Here's a secret takeaway from our recent Career Pivot Secrets masterclass:

Many folks are short-changing their opportunities to get their foot in the door with amazing recruiters and hiring managers. Yes indeed, @Jarret Albritton and @Christian Bordeau have created tremendous opportunities in their #CH Tech Careers rooms to interact with recruiters from top companies including Gartner, Indeed, Playstation, Visa, Accenture and more. You'll learn what hiring managers look for at the top FAANG companies. (If you're not familiar with the term FAANG, that's techie-speak for working at the top tech firms including Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix and Google).

Yet, here's a secret: Don't assume you can show up on Clubhouse and start pinging recruiters without being truly prepared to make them want to help you. Help them, help you. They're busy and doing you the favor, so clearly spell out your zone of genius in terms that relate to their company's biggest pain or opportunities. Make them proud to send you forward.

In every instance, these kind and gracious recruiting thought leaders (much more strategic and insightful than most of the talent scouts I'd met in the past, for sure). The moderators in these rooms are often the direct hiring managers...or gateways to decision makers. Some share openings for their friends in high places, making as many roles available as possible. They'll freely tell you exactly next steps for your best chance at gaining attention, and their favorite channels to receive your outreach.

Despite growing a tremendous 45k++ following in the Club, Jarrett and others agree it's wise to encourage engagement off of the site as quickly as possible. Since Clubhouse does not yet have its own chat feature, it only allows live links to Instagram or Twitter. DMs, or direct messages on the integrated Instagram app, or LinkedIn, seem to be most common. Let's see how that evolves as Linkedin and other social channels spring up with their own audio chat capabilities. The rules for first impressions follow you everywhere: pay attention.

Attraction marketing: how to engage prospects and grow the "know, like and trust" factor

First impressions happen when we're live in a room, and folks check out our digital footprint at their convenience in our "always on" world. So you need to show up as the best version of you (and your company) because you never know when your ideal collaborator or decision maker will reach out or research you.

It's important to take your social media audiences to your site, your list. Don't put all your trust in any external site that you do not own or control.

It's wise to include info on your passions, personal and business interests...the things that make you human. Up at the top, include links to free, yet valuable, resources so that interested followers can learn more. This also puts interested folks (called a warm audience) into your email system. Here, you'll set up sales funnels (a fancy term for digital strategy to bring them along on a journey to know, like and trust us through thoughtful and deeper engagement). A candidate could link to an article you've published in your industry, positioning you as an expert in your niche.

In my case, individuals seeking executive coaching are invited to my free LinkedIn Live interviews, to download a free career soul-searching assessment, then perhaps to a low-cost program or bootcamp (the next one is May 10-13, details coming soon).

Those who like our interaction and learning style may choose to enroll in one of our mini courses, or perhaps apply to work in a group coaching cohort. We offer a 90-day career accelerator for professionals seeking raises, promotions, or new roles...driving up their value in the market to gain the rewards and and the recognition they deserve. Finally, our mastermind invitation goes out to high-achieving executives who seek ongoing professional development to continually enhance their industry and company thought leadership.

This leads me back to the first point: Just like you wouldn't ask a stranger on the street to marry you, it might be wise to entice potential collaborators to want to get to know you better. Date first, if you will, and foster a deeper relationship.

Your new role and work family will command much of your time going forward, so make sure you've invested properly in showing up as the best version of you (since that's also how you'll later represent their needs as a brand ambassador).

How can you make a great first impression with recruiters and potential hiring managers on Clubhouse (and elsewhere)?

⭐️ Set clear goals

⭐️  Research so you're ready at the right moment

⭐️  Rehearse a succinct introduction with a clear ASK that makes sense so folks WANT to get to know you and help you.

⭐️  Network with your former colleagues and work friends, asking them to share perspective on why they value your collaboration. Write them a LinkedIn recommendation, and ask for one based on their feedback.

⭐️  Update your LinkedIn and CH bio so that they are consistent and on point...with working links to well-written assets.

⭐️  If you're worried about boasting, reinforce your bio or cover letter message with "Colleagues thank me for ___" and put the bragging in their corner. It works.

⭐️  Tailor each resume and cover letter to the job and their company's mission. (Stay tuned for my next piece on shocking resume antics, ouch...)

⭐️  Rehearse to ensure that your phone and video interview skills rock...

⭐️ Whether attending a virtual conference, networking, or a Clubhouse room, you'll win active listening and showing curiosity about the others in the room. Make it about them...not you.

⭐️  Build a business case and hone your negotiation skills before you think you need them to command the rewards you deserve...

⭐️ Finally, trust your accountability best practice and smart follow-up system...

Now do you see why just showing up and asking strangers for help, without the proper preparation, can lead to disastrous missed opportunities?

Once you embarrass a referral source, that negatively impacts their interest in helping you (and the referring person) going forward. Don't burn bridges.

That's why just surfing through free CH rooms is NOT quite enough to get you where you want to go. You need a smart system, a career insurance policy...to make the very most of any introductions. The fortune is in the follow up.

If you're open to a proven framework with genius on demand 24-7-365 and a team of smart co-collaborators to keep you moving forward faster toward your dream role, let us help you in our new Career Accelerator. You'll never show up unprepared miss out on making a stellar first impression that pays dividends for the rest of your career.