In On The Links
Digital networkers meet over drinks
Photo by Jennifer Hogeland
The attendees were united in a rather unique – yet completely 21st century – way. LinkedIn connected the crowd and brought members together from Green Bay, Appleton, Oshkosh and Manitowoc to network.
Rick Reid created the Appleton Professionals NEW Opportunities group on LinkedIn just over a year ago. At the time, Reid was searching for a job and relied on the online tool to bring fellow job seekers together. It started small but now includes more than 560 members. Word-of-mouth and LinkedIn group searches have allowed the networking group to grow.
While the intention of Appleton Professionals has always been job-search based, the group dynamics slowly changed. Reid and those who started with the group in the early days began reaching out to recruiters to make the networking event more desirable to those searching for employment. Now the meetings draw area job placers.
The casual networking events are held at the Holiday Inn Select every month, usually at 4:30 p.m. on a Wednesday or Thursday. Event announcements are sent out to the LinkedIn group three weeks prior to the meeting. Members indicate whether they will be attending, or if they are contemplating making an appearance, by responding to the online event invitation.
Attendees slowly trickled in that Thursday evening. By 5 p.m. the event was in full swing. Names and e-mail addresses were taken at the door. Professionals came from a variety of backgrounds; everyone came dressed in business or business casual attire.
Two things were asked of attendees: one, to fill out a nametag, and two, to support the venue by buying a beverage of their choice. The pizza, breadsticks and popcorn in the corner of the room were complementary.
A friendly buzz soon filled the room. Some attendees were new to the networking event although they quickly joined in a conversation. The regulars were happy to reconnect with old contacts and make new acquaintances. The room included job seekers, recruiters and those attempting to grow their contact list. Exchanging contact information was strongly encouraged.
“Those who take advantage of the opportunity to network are doing a smart thing,” says Reid. “My hope is the events help get attendees in the mindset of making connections.”
The bar setting assists casual conversations; no time is spent on formal presentations.
“It is a relaxed atmosphere. The people are here for the same reasons so it feels like a safe place,” says job seeker Jamie Vosters. “People want you to come up and talk to them. They want to add you to their network whether they are a job seeker or they are employed.”
Argus Technical Services senior recruiter specialist Michelle Bohrtz found the group to be valuable when searching for qualified employees. Bohrtz has placed one member of the group and was on a mission that evening to place another in an open position.
Some attendees, including Reid, have secured a job since the inception of the Appleton Professionals group, but continue to come back to offer advice and support to those still searching. Vosters adds, “The neat thing is there was a handful of people that had landed a job, who had been job seekers, but they still come back to help us. They come back to give back.”
Joining the LinkedIn group has other perks. Members post opportunities on the group job board. A discussion board announces things happening in the community and with fellow members.
