September 21, 2011

Networking out of town: Is it worth a trip?

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Q: I would like to relocate to Portland. I’ve read things to the effect that while online job-hunting is all well and good, there’s no substitute for face-to-face networking. While I can take a vacation day and go to Portland for a job interview, I hesitate to take one for a networking opportunity that may or may not lead to anything. Also, if I accepted a job in Portland, I’d need a bit of time beyond my last two weeks at my current job to wrap up my affairs here. Do you have any suggestions?
— A.B., Seattle

Kristen says: Portland has different dynamics than Seattle. Professional networking events are not quite as prevalent as they are here; it’s much more social there. I’d recommend a combination of online and face-to-face networking — and you don’t necessarily have to take a day off to do it.

Meet in Portland (MiPL) is a great place to start. This dynamic social-networking site has lots of events and a high attendance rate. You also can join some of the many special-interest groups on Facebook and LinkedIn to interact with other professionals in Portland.

In addition, I’d suggest that you research professional organizations in your industry. Join them (and their email lists) and contribute online for a couple of months.

After you have become a known entity in those circles, go to Portland on a Friday evening. During your weekend trip, meet up with as many of your contacts as possible; social networking can lead to professional connections. Use your online resources to identify the decision makers to invite.

Assuming you have friends or family in the Portland area, ask them if they would be willing to host a happy hour or an open house while you’re visiting. If you sponsor something and promote it well, people will show.

Once your networking has paid off with a job offer, just let your new employer know you’ll need more than the standard two weeks before you start. Two weeks is a guideline, not a hard-and-fast rule. If you’re the right person for the job, three or four weeks will be worth the wait to your new employer.

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