If you want a jump-start for your job search, attending professional association meetings may deliver just the jolt you need. These sessions can offer excellent chances to network, with everyone connected by an interest in the same industry.
Unfortunately, not every job-seeker understands the power of professional associations. Some people mistakenly believe that you need to be employed in order to attend or that you must become a member first. Others assume that they are too low in their professional ranking to be welcome.
The last assumption is particularly unfortunate, as most associations serve people at all levels in their industry. It's a trick of the language that makes them seem like an outlet for "professionals."
These tips will help you make the most of this job-search tool.
1. Cast a broad net to find the right group for you. Check the business section of your newspaper, ask colleagues for suggestions or search these Web sites:
Weddles is more comprehensive, but both have good offerings. The listings are national, so link through to find each group's local chapter and meeting times.
2. Mix things up. Suppose you're a bookkeeper. You'd want to go to meetings of other bookkeepers, right? Well, yes and no.
You want to mingle with fellow bookkeepers to keep up with professional training ideas, industry gossip and other items of interest in your field. You also might hear of good leads or meet people who work in companies where you'd like to work. So, yes, this would be a good meeting to attend.
 AMY LINDGREN
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On the other hand, you might not run into actual employers at this meeting. To do that, think a little harder. Do you have experience doing the books for manufacturers or printers? Then add meetings of manufacturing or printing managers to your list. That's where you'll meet folks who need your services.
3. Plan to meet people. When you attend a meeting, you need to be there in body, mind and spirit. Come with a game plan to meet at least three people and to follow up with at least one of them later.
Jot down names and companies when people introduce themselves at the start of the meeting. Then make a point of introducing yourself later to the people whose backgrounds interest you.
4. Bring the right tools. Job-seekers should bring résumés to meetings but not hand them out unless directly asked. Business cards, however, are perfect to distribute. If you're employed, your company card will be fine. If you're seeking work, make a card that provides contact information and lists key strengths or the areas in which you'd like to work.
5. Learn. Professional associations are driven by the members' shared love of and interest in a particular field. Many offer certification programs, special interest groups or monthly discussions about key industry topics.
If you attend regularly, you'll be more up-to-date in the field than the employers you approach for work, which is good. Remember that one reason companies hire is to inject new ideas and fresh energy into a department.
6. Give back. You'll learn even more by joining a committee or volunteering to help with meetings. These situations sharpen your project-management, teamwork and organizational skills while also raising your visibility in the group.
7. Start right away. There are a million reasons to put this off, but most of them boil down to fear of the unknown. If it makes you go, rope a friend or co-worker into attending the first few meetings with you.
And don't tell yourself that it's better to wait until after summer or to skip the sessions that will be lightly attended. If your goal is networking, the smallest groups will be the most beneficial; those are the ones in which everyone gets to talk with everyone.
8. Attend regularly. A common error is to attend one or two meetings and then declare, "I didn't get anything out of that." Careers aren't built in a day, and neither are professional relationships. People will be more likely to refer you to job leads and networking contacts if they feel familiar with you. So keep showing up, keep talking and keep smiling.
- Amy Lindgren owns Prototype Career Service, a career consulting firm in St. Paul, Minn. She can be reached at alindgren@prototypecaree rservice.com or at 1071 W. Seventh St., St. Paul, MN 55102.
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