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AFM Magazine

AFM Magazine


Networking: Make the Most of Every Opportunity

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Networking: Make the Most of Every Opportunity
Resume Tips - The Do’s and Don’ts
Dealing With The Media During The ‘Silly Season’
Avoiding Major Mistakes in the Interview Process
How to Handle Coaching Salary Negotiations
Should a Coach Employ an Agent?
A Little Psychology For A Winning Focus In Job Interviews

Do you dread networking events, interviews, job search activities and other business related social gatherings? When attending or teaching a clinic is your only focus the X’s and O’s? Does attending another open house make you want to run inside your home and lock the door? For football coaches at all levels these occasions represent opportunities to develop business friendships and broaden networks.

Whether you realize it or not, networking happens all the time.

Coaches learn technical skills required of their jobs, but not all place importanceon conversational skills. The ability to talk easily with anyone is a learnedskill, not a personality trait. Learning this will help you develop rapport withpeople and leave an impression that lasts longer than exchanging business cards.

Here are a few tips football coaches can use to improve their networking skills:

• Be the first to say “Hello!” and introduce yourself. Don’twait for someone to walk up to you first. They do not know what to talk aboutwith you either.
• Take your time during introductions. Make an extra effort to remember names,and use their name frequently in the conversation with them.
• Maintain eye contact in any conversation. Many people in a group of three ormore look around in the hope that others in the group will maintain eye contacton their behalf. But people don’t feel listened to if you are not lookingat them.
• Get somebody to talk about what they hope to gain from the clinic or conventionand you’re on your way to engaging them in conversation.
• Show an interest in every person. The more interest you show, the more wise andattractive you become to others. Some icebreakers:
- “What’s the greatest challenge of coaching at your level?”
- “How has the Internet impacted your work?”
- “Describe your greatest moment as a coach ...”
• Listen carefully for information that can keep the conversation going.
• Play the conversation “game.” When someone asks, “How’sthe team?” or “What’s going on?” ... answer with morethan “pretty good” and “not much.” Tell more about yourselfso that others can learn more about you.
• But be careful with acquaintances. You wouldn’t want to open a conversationwith: “How’s your job at (fill in the blank)?” What if thatperson just got fired? Be careful when you’re asking about an acquaintance’sspouse or friends – you could regret it.
• Be prepared. Spend a few minutes before an anticipated function preparing totalk easily about three topics. They will come in handy when you find yourselfin the middle of an awkward moment ... or seated at a table of eight where everyoneis playing with their food.
• Show an interest in your conversational partner’s opinion, too. You’renot the only person who has opinions about the NCAA’s new rules on springfootball or the current college ranking polls.
• Be prepared with exit lines. Don’t melt from conversations. You do needto move around and meet others. Make a positive impression by shaking hands andsaying goodbye as you leave.

Every encounter involves risk. As long as you keep looking for new people tomeet, and show an interest in other people, you can develop coaching friendshipsand enjoy lively conversations.

Debra Fine is a nationally recognized professional speaker and author of “TheFine Art of Small Talk” containing techniques on everything from icebreakersto exit lines.






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