How to Skimm Your Life

by The Skimm

  Restraint

  Don’t hijack the conversation. You want people to remember you but not as “that person who didn’t stop rambling.” The best networkers are good at making other people feel special. Repeat: People like to talk about themselves. Look people in the eye. Say their name. Most important, listen…and mention something from your convo in your follow-up email. That brings us to…

  Reconnecting: The Former Flame

  A lot of people let good connections fade away because they think they have nothing new to say. That’s probably not true. If you want a connection’s perspective on a problem, that’s something new. If you still don’t know what you want to do with your career, but you figured out what you don’t want to do, that’s something new. What’s the worst thing that can happen if you reach out again? They don’t respond. Then you’re back to where you were before. There’s nothing to lose and a lot to gain in sending that email.

  Set reminders to follow up with your most important connections at least once a quarter. You shouldn’t save this for only when you’re on the job search. Your contacts will be more likely to help you out if they get to know you and your career goals well through frequent check-ins. The most sincere and rewarding networking is done when you are genuinely curious and not looking for something beyond a person’s time. The second time you follow up, simply respond to them through your original email conversation to make sure your connection has context for your meeting. After you’ve met twice, you can start sending fresh emails.

  Flirting: The Follow-Up

  After you meet with someone—whether it’s a new or old connection—always make sure to follow up. Keep your follow-up email under 100 words and mention something you discussed together or something you admire about them. This is not a cover letter. It’s a quick note that’s basically saying “Hey, remember me?” Make sure to send your initial email within two days of your meeting—the sooner the better. Otherwise they won’t remember your face (it’s not your face’s fault). Use “Best” as a sign-off. “Sincerely” somehow ironically sounds insincere.

  The good

  Hi Katie,

  It was great meeting you last night at the Young Marketers event. I loved hearing about the work you’re doing at [insert company name], especially with the company’s new product launch. Congrats! Have fun in LA this weekend. I’d love to grab coffee when you get back—let me know which times work best for you this month.

  Best, Alex

  The bad

  Hi Katie,

  Great talking last night. Can you put in a good word with your boss? I’m super interested in [insert company name] and really think it would be a good fit. Here’s my resume, let me know what she says!! Drinks soon??

  Xoxo Alex

  The first email is all about the receiver, while the second is all about the sender. It’s also too casual. This person is not your friend (yet). Good connections take time to develop. Someone isn’t going to give you a job after meeting you for five minutes.

  Hanging Out with Each Other’s Friends: Introductions

  Networking is also about paying it forward. Once you start building a network, you become like a matchmaker. And you also become eligible for setups.

  For when you’re entry-level and get introduced to a new connection…

  If you’re getting connected to someone new via email, your connector may ask you to send a bio. If you’re just starting out, your bio may actually require a bit more info. Since you have no solid experience in the real world, you’ll need to illustrate why you’re worthwhile to talk to.

  Sample

  I recently graduated from Colgate University with a double major in English and political science. While at school, I had a top-listened-to show on the campus radio station and interned at [insert company name] after my junior year. I would love to hear about your experience working in media, especially in podcast production.

  For when you’ve had some experience and get introduced to a new connection…

  The key word: brief. This is not your resume. Mention your full name, industry, current job title, and reason you want to be connected.

  Sample

  I am a senior account executive at [insert company name] with five years of PR experience. I’d love to hear about your work with hospitality clients, as I’m looking to break into that space.

  And remember: If you’re the one who asked for the introduction email, always respond to it first and move your connector to bcc. Sometimes people say, “Oh, I was waiting for the other person to respond.” That’s not how this works. When you ask to get set up, you make the first move.

  For when you’re asked to intro someone…

  Make sure everyone involved has a heads-up before you send the intro email. Let’s say Connection A (Beth, your former coworker in marketing) wants to meet Connection B (Maya, a business development exec) to talk about pivoting into business development. There are power dynamics at play here. You are asking a favor of Connection B and should email her first to make sure she’s open to the introduction. Also, make sure to get a bio from Connection A before you make the ask.

  Email Connection 101

  Step 1

  The email giving Connection B a heads-up should look something like this.

  Hi, Maya,

  I hope your summer’s going well. I wanted to see if you’d be open to meeting my former colleague Beth Klein. She works as an integrated marketing associate, but is looking to learn more about the business development world. She’s smart, scrappy, and was a pleasure to work with for two years.

  Please let me know if you’d be willing to talk to her, and I’ll make the connection. Hope to see you soon!

  Best,

  Kara

  Step 2

  If Connection B responds that she’s willing to talk to Connection A, email them both. Make the subject line straightforward: Maya<>Beth Intro.

  Hi, Maya,

  I want to introduce you to my former colleague Beth. She works in marketing at [insert company name] and is looking to learn more about business development within the financial services space. She’d love to hear your perspective.

  I’ll let you two take it from here!

  Best,

  Kara

  Step 3

  Now it’s on Beth (Connection A) to send the follow-up email and find a time that works for Maya (Connection B). Beth should be amenable to Maya’s schedule and willing to meet her wherever is most convenient.

  Step 4

  Once you meet, make sure to keep your connector updated. In this example, Beth should email Kara thanking her for the setup and letting her know how the meeting went.

  Playing the Field: Making New Connections

  No matter what stage of your career you’re in or how happy you are in your current role, you should constantly work on your network. No connection is too small. Who knows? Beth might offer Maya a job someday. One mistake people often make is not networking when they’re happy at their job. Here are some ways to make sure you’re always hustling.

  For when you don’t have time for more in-person coffee dates…

  LinkedIn is your friend. And not your old friend who will be there no matter what. You have to work at this friendship. Make connections with people in the industry you’re interested in, but don’t mass connect. People will be able to tell if you’re sending out a generic connection request that you sent to 200 others. Designate a day of the week to LinkedIn request everyone you met that week and start building an email list from there. You can send this list an update if you get a new job, start a business, etc.

  For when you want to stand out…

  Set up alerts on your connection. This might feel creepy, but it’s not. If someone you look up to and want to work for does something big in the news, congratu
late him or her. There’s also an app called Accompany that compiles data and updates on big-time executives. Also look into apps like Shapr to meet new contacts.

  For when you want to find someone’s email…

  Start with social. An email address is required to make an account on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn, so the person you’re trying to contact may have their address there. If that’s no dice, try using a tool like RocketReach.

  theSkimm: Networking can be annoying. But it’s necessary. So prepare to overcaffeinate and get it done.

  Things You Brag About

  theSkimm on Your Resume

  Think of your resume as a brag sheet and a pitch for why someone should hire you. No pressure.

  Here’s what any resume guide will tell you:

  Less is more. Try to fit your resume onto one page.

  Put your love on top. Use reverse chronological order and put your most recent and important accomplishments on top.

  Spell it out. Use spell-check.

  Format is key. Save it as a PDF. Otherwise, the formatting may become wonky when your potential employer opens it.

  Thanks, Captain Obvious. You’ve heard people say all of those things. Now, here are our recommendations that go a bit beyond the basics.

  DO

  DO Play the Numbers Game

  Remember when we told you to brag? Numbers will back it up. Not talking your salary. Talking about other numbers that showcase your value.

  If you generated a lot of revenue for your last company, say how much. If you wrote for a site, say how much traffic your article received. Know your calculus: It says you plus numbers equals job.

  DO Use Active Verbs

  Produced, built, monitored. Go for unique ones like maximized, consolidated, and administered to stand out.

  DO Say Mirror, Mirror

  When it comes to cover letters, you can stand out by mirroring the voice of the company in your letter.

  If you’re applying for a job at a law firm, keep it formal. If you’re applying for a job at a tech start-up with a laid-back culture, make your prose less stiff.

  DON’T

  DON’T Objectify

  Putting an “objective” at the top of your resume is becoming obsolete.

  DON’T Put Your GPA on It

  Unless it’s your first or second job out of college and only if it’s high. Many experts say that means 3.5 or higher. If you’ve been out of college for a while but received honors (cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude), keep those on instead of your GPA.

  DON’T State the Obvious

  Avoid personal pronouns. Anyone reading it knows it’s your resume. There is no “I” in resume.

  Leave off “References available upon request.” This is assumed, and it takes up valuable space.

  Avoid phrases like hard worker, ambitious, highly qualified, extensive experience, team player, people person, hit the ground running, think outside the box. These should be a given and won’t help convince someone to hire you.

  DON’T Short Yourself

  Eliminate short-term jobs (that is, those that lasted less than six months) from your resume, unless they directly relate to the position you are applying for.

  If there are gaps in your resume, consider just putting the years you worked instead of the month and year. But if you were involved in something like an election or a community service–oriented role in between jobs, consider listing it instead of minding the gap. And including work in the hospitality or food service industry shows hustle and the ability to (literally) juggle many plates.

  You need a resume. But your brag sheet should live on LinkedIn too. When it comes to that platform…

  DO

  DO Tell a Story

  On LinkedIn, the “summary” portion of your profile is arguably the most important. And a lot of people don’t even fill it out.

  The summary lives right under your name, picture, and “headline” (current job and company).

  It should be 100 to 200 words describing your experience and what you’re currently seeking. Think of it like a less formal version of a cover letter.

  The summary should hook a reader and tell a story. Use first-person—this should feel like the beginning of a convo.

  Example: “I was a top salesperson at X company and brought in X revenue on a yearly basis. I am now looking to contribute my unique experience working with clients in X, X, and X industries to a growing and highly motivated team.”

  DO Keep It Consistent

  The “Jobs” portion of your profile can be similar to your resume (active verbs, no personal pronouns). The summary is where you can state your objective and get a little more creative.

  DO Engage

  Posting articles (that you want your future employers to see) is a great way to show you’re engaged and stay top of mind for people in your network.

  DON’T

  DON’T Be Shy

  Ask your current and former coworkers for recommendations. If you’re just starting out, ask peers or professors. It takes two seconds and it’s a thumbs-up for hiring managers and recruiters.

  DON’T Photo Booth

  Choose a professional picture. Professional wedding-goer does not count (no photo booth pics).

  theSkimm: Your resume and LinkedIn profile are theSkimm of your career. Make sure they get right to the point.

  Things That Make You Sweat

  theSkimm on Interviewing

  Interviewing is a production.

  There’s a lot that happens behind the scenes before showtime. And like performing, interviewing may make you want to throw up. Don’t. Instead, follow these steps to make sure you are lights, camera, employed.

  Rehearsal: The Prep

  Practice makes perfect and nobody’s perfect, but you still need to practice if you ever want a job. Preparing doesn’t just mean selling yourself. It means stalking the company and its latest developments. People will tell you to look at the latest news about the company. But you should also read its blogs, check its social media accounts, and read its mission statement. And download or buy its products. When your interviewer asks about your familiarity with the company or its products, it’s never a good look to admit you haven’t used it. It’s not a good idea to lie, either. Your potential employer can tell how long your nose is by looking up your purchase history, entering your email to see whether you’re subscribed, etc.

  Another big part of prepping? Coming up with your answers to some standard interview questions. Those might include…

  What’s your greatest weakness, or what aren’t you good at?

  Where do you see yourself in five years?

  How will you change the value of the company?

  What inspires or motivates you?

  Tell us about a time you made a mistake at work and how you rectified it.

  How do you negotiate between people with different agendas?

  What do you find most challenging about working on a cross-functional team?

  What’s the worst part of your day? What’s the best?

  Why do you want to leave your current role?

  Tell me about a project you implemented from start to finish (come prepared with three to five examples of work projects you’re proud of).

  Do you have any questions for me?

  Thing to know:

  Always make sure to come prepared with questions. An interview is a dialogue. You need to find out if the company is right for you too. And if you don’t have them, it looks like you’re unengaged with the company and the position. Some smart questions include “How would you measure success in this role?” and “Why have people in this role not worked out in the past?”

  There are some things you shouldn’t say in resp
onse to these standard questions, which we’ll get to below. Get excitedddd.

  Show Day: Getting There

  Because life is a journey, not a…you know the rest.

  For when you’re always late…

  Late to a group dinner is one thing. Late to an interview is another. Everyone will tell you to be on time. But they might not tell you how exactly to make sure that happens. If your interview is at 11 and the office is a half hour away from you, make sure you leave at least 45 minutes before your interview. And schedule it as an event in your cal—with travel time—so you don’t end up leaving too late. Aim to get there 10–15 minutes early. Because if you’re on time for an interview, you’re actually late.