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As part of my attempt to network better in aid of getting a job, I went to this big event put on by the LinkedIn folks. It was held at the Airport Hilton, which is within easy walking distance of the light rail, and next to the Minnesota River Wildlife Refuge. (Might have to stop by there again in late spring or early fall.)
The main events were held in the ballroom, with vendor tables in the hallway around it. These were primarily small businesses and services for small businesses, such as a service that brings hot cookies to your workplace (yum!) and a mobile demonstration booth seller.
The event as a whole was more aimed at small businesses and sales people, not job seekers, but I did take away a lot of useful information and some new contacts. The first keynote speaker was Jill Konrath on "creating opportunity." She was followed by Sam Richter "'Know More' Selling" who was the most useful speaker to me, with many tips on how to effectively use the internet to find information on possible employers and the decision makers in them. And John Baker "Ask for what you want...and get it." I found him less interesting than the other two, but that might just have been post-lunch topor.
The lunch was buffet style and provided by Hilton's catering. It was good of its kind.
Also, there was speed networking (only one person asked for my resume, and it looks like that will need to be revised again), and a Q&A by the LinkedMN subgroup leaders. (Mostly we talked about social media use and misuse from a business perspective.)
The social hour at the end of the day was downstairs in a small meeting space with a cash bar. Since I don't drink alcohol or mix well in that sort of atmosphere, I felt uncomfortable. Even more so when the door prize drawings were held, and I won a bottle of wine in fancy wrapping (it's meant to be given as a gift.) Not sure what I'm going to do with it.
And it was a long train ride home. Tomorrow it's off to Rasmussen College first thing in the morning for orientation! (It looks like the VRAP is coming through.)
The main events were held in the ballroom, with vendor tables in the hallway around it. These were primarily small businesses and services for small businesses, such as a service that brings hot cookies to your workplace (yum!) and a mobile demonstration booth seller.
The event as a whole was more aimed at small businesses and sales people, not job seekers, but I did take away a lot of useful information and some new contacts. The first keynote speaker was Jill Konrath on "creating opportunity." She was followed by Sam Richter "'Know More' Selling" who was the most useful speaker to me, with many tips on how to effectively use the internet to find information on possible employers and the decision makers in them. And John Baker "Ask for what you want...and get it." I found him less interesting than the other two, but that might just have been post-lunch topor.
The lunch was buffet style and provided by Hilton's catering. It was good of its kind.
Also, there was speed networking (only one person asked for my resume, and it looks like that will need to be revised again), and a Q&A by the LinkedMN subgroup leaders. (Mostly we talked about social media use and misuse from a business perspective.)
The social hour at the end of the day was downstairs in a small meeting space with a cash bar. Since I don't drink alcohol or mix well in that sort of atmosphere, I felt uncomfortable. Even more so when the door prize drawings were held, and I won a bottle of wine in fancy wrapping (it's meant to be given as a gift.) Not sure what I'm going to do with it.
And it was a long train ride home. Tomorrow it's off to Rasmussen College first thing in the morning for orientation! (It looks like the VRAP is coming through.)
