Job Search Resources Weekly Update - 10/26/09

Weekly updates! Please let me know if know of other items to add, or if you have any feedback on events.

8 New and 2 Updates for SoCal Networking Event Organizations including Neal Schaffer's new book.

1 New and 1 Update for Networking & Social Media Job Search Webinars, Teleconferences and Podcasts

Comments and Updates for SoCal Educational Networking & Job Search Organizations

SoCal Networking Event Organizations

Name: NoNameTags
Self-description: "...entrepreneurs, professional service and corporate executives, the tech/media/entertainment/Web 2.0 crowd, the elite international/expatriate set, and the generally amazing..." and "you are welcome to join us if you like hanging out with lawyers, accountants, private equity types, investment bankers, etc."
Review: No name tags, eponymously. Attendees definitely more mature, more professional than many events. Most men in suits, although ties seem entirely optional; and women in business suits, and equivalent. I recently attended my second event and the host, Gordon, is quite affable, as is most of the crowd. Certainly this is a crowd of successful professionals and business owners. Recommended.
Updated 10/24/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: Challenger Networking Group (CA)
Review: I was able to attend this week and it was a "small" group of 80, of which a 100+ is common. You pay as you walk in, meet the organizers, get a name tag, fill a plate from the buffet, and then find a seat, family style, with the other networkers. Commence eating and networking. They have a different speaker each week, usually announced a couple weeks prior, starting about 30mins in and speaking for perhaps 45mins. General (standing) networking occurs after that and can linger for a couple hours. "Parking: Free - Dress: Casual. No need to RSVP." I've been previously told the Challenger group has a strong HR slant, although this seems to be historic; everyone is certainly welcome. I'm looking forward to going again.
Updated 10/21/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: Small Business Network of Greater Long Beach
Sites: http://www.sbnlongbeach.com/, Small Business Network of Greater Long Beach Facebook page
Self-description: "The mission of the Small Business Network of Greater Long Beach is to provide Services, Education and Resources relevant to the needs of small and micro businesses located in the Greater Long Beach area."
Frequency/Location: Unknown
Cost: Networking Mixers appear to be free, membership in the SBN is not.
Review: None
Added 10/21/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: SocialBling "relationships are luxury"
Sites: http://www.socialbling.com/, www.twitter.com/socialbling, www.facebook.com/pages/Conversation-SocialBling/170566948017, and Press Comments/Releases: AOL money & Finance, CNBC, Yahoo Finance News
Self-description: "You don’t have to understand or invest loads of time networking in social networks anymore - we do the work for you and then make introductions. Our proprietary process of searching online and off allows us to find people based on our members, needs, wants and goals. Our professionally trained hosts facilitate introductions in person at exclusive/private group events. Through our network you will meet incredible new people, find surprising connections with people you already know, receive tips on how to use online networks and engage in the art of conversation. Your information is never shared via online open networks for all to see.
If you have been underwhelmed by any of the following:
* Online Social Networks
* Traditional Networking Events
* Online Dating
Or if you would just like to:
* Have Interesting Conversations
* Meet New People
…You are cordially invited to sign up for SocialBling. We are driven to deliver a better way to find, meet and connect with people. Membership is Complementary, only pay to attend the events that interest you."
Frequency/Location: Unknown / "Events will be hosted in the Los Angeles area for next few months, as we expand further through the state and nation, we will make the announcement. "
Cost: "$25 - $100 depending on what amenities are offered at the events. Note: Most events will be on the lower end of the range."
Review: So, social networking, business networking, and interpersonal networking (dating) perhaps all rolled into one? Judging from the FAQ and other conversations/details about this, it sounds interesting. Like some others, I don't care for the name nor tagline, but who thought that "twitter" would ever be a positive (well, for most)? When you start by filling out the (free) Guest Registry, you're faced with some vague open-ended questions. When I asked the Founder/CEO Stephanie about this, she replied "If the information provided on the short form is not enough for us to go by, we send a second one that is a bit more detailed with suggestions." That wasn't particularly helpful, but I charged ahead and signed up. Once you're invited to an event, and provided with reasons why, the hosts (whom they seem to put a lot of credence in) guide the introductions and event. Oh, and no name tags. Certainly, a strong host (as in MixxedIn, in my list) can make a huge difference, and no name tags can be quite successful (as in NoNameTags, also in my list).
Added 10/24/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: Executive Career Services & Neal Schaffer
Sites: See the Events on Neal's LinkedIn page: www.linkedin.com/in/nealschaffer
Self-description: "Starting this month I will be partnering with Executive Career Services in Irvine to provide a day of workshops and seminars to the So Cal Sushi and greater Southern California community. These will be based on my recent speaking and consulting engagements that I would like to share." The events include:

• So Cal Sushi Social Media Roundtable
• LinkedIn 101 Workshop
• Social Media 101 for Businesses
• Introduction to Twitter for Professionals and Their Personal Branding

Frequency/Location: Monthly / Executive Career Services
2955 Main St, Irvine, CA 92614
Cost: $25
Review: I've attended and reviewed Neal's SoCal Sushi Networking events in my list, so these look promising. His Windmill Networking book on LinkedIn has also been published which I'm sure is quite good:

Added 10/24/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: Largest Mixer
Sites: http://www.largestmixer.com/, facebook.com/group.php?gid=25841081355, twitter.com/largestmixer, linkedin.com/groups?gid=807187
Self-description: "Join local chambers of commerce and business organizations for the ultimate business networking events! Mix and mingle with business people representing hundreds of industries and companies in and around L.A., Orange County, Inland Empire and Las Vegas. The Largest Mixers are a great opportunity to reach small to large companies, meet new clients and learn how the different chambers and business organizations can make your business grow."
Frequency/Location: YEARLY / LA, Orange County, Inland Empire, Las Vegas
Cost: $15-$20
Review: None, but these are over for the year - wait until 2010.
Added 10/24/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: CEOSpace
Sites: http://www.ceospace.biz/, http://www.ceospace.biz/
Self-description: Unknown... see Review
Frequency/Location: Unknown... see Review
Cost: Unknown... see Review
Review: I've seen CEOSpace mentioned a couple times, there's meetup.com groups that seem to include networking. After spending a not insignificant portion of an hour researching it, I'm still not sure what it is and how it works. Try Googling "ceospace club ca" to find local SoCal chapters... and good luck.
Added 10/24/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: Convergence Technology Council (CTC)
Sites: thectcnetwork.org
Self-description: "The CTC is dedicated to learning how emerging and converging technologies affect both our corporate and personal enterprises. We meet with technology thought leaders and business executives from vital, growing industries including Unified Communications, Entertainment, On-Line Media, Digital Distribution, Gaming, Social Networking, Medicine, Science, Energy - and many more.

Anyone involved in Technology, Entertainment, Media, Unified Communications, Science, Medicine - or anyone who simply loves VIP Seating at the Forefront of Change!

Membership Profile: At the CTC, we like to keep the 80 / 20 rule in play. That is 80% Practitioners – [CIO's, CEO's, Business Leaders, Aspiring IT Professionals, High Tech Aficionados], i.e. people who need the information to make a difference in their companies; 20% sales professionals, consultants and vendors who support the practitioners. We evaluate each membership application to ensure the integrity of the group. "
Frequency/Location: CTC meetings are held every other month on the third Thursday of the month beginning in January. Meetings are preceded by an optional dinner ($5) at 6:00pm, followed by the meeting at 6:30pm. The meeting location is the beautiful ValleyCrest Companies corporate headquarters located at: 24151 Ventura Boulevard, Calabasas, CA 91302
Cost: Free - excluding optional dinner ($5)
Review: None
Added 10/25/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: American Business Women's Association (ABWA)
Sites: http://www.abwa.org/, facebook.com/group.php?gid=19055708136 IMPACT! Council - Orange, Riverside, Los Angeles and San Bernadino Counties, Inland Valley Council - Radius of 125 miles of the city of San Bernadino, Los Angeles Area Council - Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and Ventura Counties, also local chapters may have their own sites, Facebook presence, and Meetup groups.
Self-description: "ABWA's Mission: To bring together businesswomen of diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership; education, networking support and national recognition."
Frequency/Location: Varies / Unknown
Cost: Unknown
Review: The various SoCal councils each have Local Chapters, each of which has a different schedule, see the LA Area Council Chapter Contacts as an example. There seems to be a related group (or subgroup) called WOW (either Women of Worth, or Women of Wisdom).
Added 10/26/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: Business Networking International (BNI)
Sites: http://www.bni.com/, California Chapter links
Self-description: "Our Philosophy: The philosophy of this organization is built upon the idea of Givers Gain(R): By giving business to others, you will get business in return. This is predicated on the age-old idea of "What goes around, comes around."

Our Mission: The mission of BNI is to help members increase their business through a structured, positive, and professional "word-of-mouth" program that enables them to develop long-term, meaningful relationships with quality business professionals. "
Frequency/Location: Unknown
Cost: Unknown
Review: BNI is a worldwide organization, with regional chapters such as Los Angeles and local chapters which such as these within Los Angeles. Like "Le Tip" there's only one representative from any field in any particular chapter.
Added 10/26/09 by Todd Zebert

Networking & Social Media Job Search Webinars, Teleconferences and Podcasts

Name: SixFigureStart - Ask SixFigureStart Career Coaching
Frequency/Location: "Every first Friday of the month at 1p ET"
Updated 10/21/09 by Todd Zebert

Name: "Ask the Career Coach" - PeopleThink - Karen Colligan
Sites: http://www.peoplethink.biz/
Self-description: "Join Karen Colligan, as she personally answers your questions about your career, resume, interviewing, job search strategies and more."
Frequency/Location: Weekly (dates shown through Nov 09)
Cost: Free
Review: None
Added 10/21/09 by Todd Zebert

SoCal Educational Networking & Job Search Organizations

This week I attended my 3rd USC Marshall Alumni luncheon and they've all been filled with great conversation among accomplished professionals and business owners. Typically six to a dozen attendees.

I also attended my second USC Marshall Alumni LA Business Networking Mixer. These are monthly, have two or three dozen attendees, have a wider range of tenured professionals - from recent grads and up, and do have a few more job seekers than the Luncheons.

Why aren't making use of these events? Not a Trojan Alum? Ask your colleagues - most of these events are open to guests.

Or engage with your school's Alumni association.