Using Mind Maps and Networking

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• Using Mind Maps and Networking
• in Career Planning
• OR
• How to make effective use of your brain
• and the people around you to discover
• your ideal job and then get it!
• Jonathan Wolff
• Careers Adviser
• Loughborough University

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What I intend to cover

• Brief introduction to Mind Mapping
• Purpose and concept
• General applications (e.g. study skills)
• Applications of Mind Mapping to career
  research/planning
• Applying Mind Mapping to developing a network of
  contacts
• A practical exercise
• Developing a networking strategy
• Emphasis on networking as a two-way process
• Networking DOs and DONTs
• Resources on Mind Mapping networking

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Mind Mapping

• Dynamic method of recording information
  ideas
• Developed by psychologist Tony Buzan - early
  1970s
• Mirrors the brains processes
• Makes more efficient use of the brain than
  normal linear
• methods of taking notes and recording ideas

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Mind Mapping Personal experience of its value

• Over last 30 yrs its helped me, amongst other
  things, to
• Overcome very slow hand-writing in taking notes
• Improve revision leading to better exam results
• Plan strategy as head of a university
  department
• Plan successful bids for five government funded
  projects
• Succeed in ALL my applications/interviews over
  last 20 years
• Learn long speeches from Shakespeare

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Developing a Mind Map The four essential
characteristics

• The main topic is summarised as a central
• image, word or phrase
• The main themes radiate from the central image
  as branches
• Branches comprise of a key word, image or topic
  presented on an associated line - they divide out
  into further higher level sub branches
• Branches and sub-branches form a connected
• structure.

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A Mind Map makes use of

• Colour - used to differentiate areas of the Mind
  Map
• Visual images - used to illustrate different
  themes/topics
• - Small images can capture complex
  memories/feelings
• - These aid the process of memory and
  recall

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Advantages of Mind Maps over linear methods in
recording information/ideas

• A large number of complex ideas can be compressed
  
• into a single page
• They are created in an organic and flexible way
• - Links can be drawn between any items or
  sections
• - New ideas can be added in any direction
  this makes them
• good for brainstorming
• They mirror the way in which the brain works
• - They can incorporate colour/visual
  images/compressed ideas
• SO
• - They are easier to memorise/recall than
  a linear list
• - They give very personal access to
  feelings/thoughts/memories

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VERY MANY Applications to learning planning,
including

• Note taking in lectures etc.
• Planning assignments presentations
• - Proven technique for dyslexics
• - Mind Mapping software will turn mind
  maps into structured,
• linear, Word and PowerPoint documents
• Putting together exam revision notes
• Group brainstorming strategic planning tasks
• Linking to other creative techniques
• - Memorising notes, speeches etc.

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Applying Mind Maps to career planning and job
hunting

• They provide an excellent way of organising
• your ideas about yourself on paper
• This can be useful at all stages of the career
  
• planning or job hunting process.

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Using Mind Maps for career planning research

• MANY APPLICATIONS, E.G.
• Creating a picture of your knowledge of
  yourself
• - The starting point for understanding what
  careers will suit you
• Brainstorming career ideas how youll
  research them
• Mapping out contacts who can help you (more
  later!)
• Writing action plans

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Using Mind Maps for job hunting 1. Written
Applications

• Brainstorming evidence of your competencies,
  when
• preparing your CVs and Application Forms
• Planning the content of a covering Letter or
  section
• of an Application Form
• Mapping out the structure of a CV
• - Mind mapping software enables you to turn
  mind maps into
• structured Word documents

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Using Mind Maps for job hunting 2. Interview
Preparation

• Mapping out an interview presentation
• Preparing an overall picture of yourself
  related to the job
• - Skills, interests, experience etc.
• Preparing answers to specific interview
  questions e.g.
• - What can you offer to this job?
• - Why are you applying this job?
• Memorising Mind Maps will make it easier to
  recall
• information/answers in the interview

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Using Mind Maps for networking

• Brainstorming lists of potential networks and
  contacts you
• can use for researching options
• Planning a networking strategy
• Preparing for networking interviews
• Mapping networking outcomes

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Benefits of career networking

• It is the most effective way of getting
  realistic information advice
• about career opportunities and jobs
• Networking referrals will typically generate
  80 more
• replies than a cold call
• Every person you meet has 200 250 people
  with whom
• they connect who can potentially assist you
• Anyone that you might want to meet or contact
  in the
• world, is only five to six people contacts
  away from you
• 70 80 of all jobs are found through
  networking
• If we become good at it, this will enable us
  to be effective in every
• aspect of our lives (e.g. employment, leisure
  activities, supporting family)
• HOWEVER, STATISTICS SHOW
• Only one in ten people is actually
  comfortable in striking up a

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Identifying contacts

• If you want to develop new contacts, think of
  all the
• networks you have belonged to
• Your extended family
• The schools, colleges, universities you have
  attended
• Clubs, societies, organisations you have been
  a member of
• Places that you have worked
• Your partners or children's networks of
  friends
• Other Networks?
• All the above could give access to many
  contacts
• Some will have formal networks
• All individual contacts will have many
  contacts of their own

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Mind mapping exercise

• Think of at least two career areas you want to
  research
• Produce a mind-map like the example in 10
  minutes
• It will be rough, without colours or diagrams
  
• Aim is to get 25 contacts/organisations you
  could follow up
• Note people in non-graduate jobs can have
  many contacts
• (e.g. the hairdresser in the example mind
  map)
• Prize to 1st group of four with 100 contacts
  between them!
• In the next few weeks develop a proper mind
  map

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Networking definitions (Jon Warner) these all
Focus on building relationships

• A power that comes from a spirit of giving
  and
• sharing
• An organised way of creating links from
  people we know
• to people they know for a specific purpose
• Giving, contributing to and supporting others
  without
• keeping score
• Fostering self-help and the exchange of
  information
• Ensuring the right to ask a favour without
  hooks

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Using contacts in everyday life

• Are you good at networking and using contacts?
• You have probably used networking already in
• Choosing and finding jobs and courses
• Carrying out your work effectively
• Finding a plumber, electrician etc.
• Planning social activities for yourself and/or
  family
• Making expensive purchases car/computer/holida
  y etc.
• If youve done any of the above
• Youll be able to get advice on planning a
  career

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Four networking types (Warner) 1. Loner

• Likes to do most things by him/herself
• Doesnt want to bother or worry other people
• Feels his/her knowledge and skills are often
  superior to
• most people
• Only asks for help as a last resort (and when
  it may be
• too late
• Networking consequences for people of this
  type
• - Unable to benefit from Networking at all!

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Four networking types (Warner) 2. Socialiser

• Tries to make a friend of everyone she/he
  meets
• Tends to know peoples names/faces but not
  what they do
• Is not normally systematic or ordered about
  follow-up
• contact is random
• May not listen too deeply and is quick to move
  on
• Networking consequences for people of this
  type
• - Knows little of substance about personal skills
  and
• resources so is Unable to share skills
• - Networking is random, following little
  or no formal contact system

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Four networking types (Warner) 3. User

• Is likely to collect business cards without
  really connecting
• with people
• Tries to make sales or pitches on the
  first encounter
• Talks and focuses on own agenda rather than to
  gather
• information
• Has superficial interactions
• Keeps score when giving favours
• Networking consequences for people of this
  type
• - Creates little benefit for themselves or
  others
• - Creates a bad impression gives
  networking a bad name!

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Four networking types (Warner) 4. Builder

• Has a giving disposition or abundance
  mentality
• Is generally happy to ask others for help or
  guidance
• Listens and learns about people carefully
• Is regularly on the look-out for useful
  information from
• which others can also benefit
• Has a well ordered and organised networking
  system
• Networking consequences for people of this
  type
• - Takes a long-term perspective on relationships
  with others thinks
• more about what he/she can give or offer than
  about the return
• - Is someone whom others really want to
  network with!

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Maintaining self esteem - Overcoming the fear of
networking

• LONER fears looking too pushy or too weak
• SOCIALISER fears rejection
• USER is selfish fears having too much
  obligation to others
• All these fears must be lessened or overcome
  if
• networking is to be effective
• BUILDER has good self esteem without being
• overconfident

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Possible networking outcomes

• Key areas that contacts can help you with
• A Self Reflection Awareness
• B Action Planning
• C Acquisition of Knowledge Understanding
  About
• Career Training Opportunities
• D Experience Observation of Work Activities
• E Increasing Access to Contacts, Networks
  Information
• Sources
• F Development of Skills Abilities
• For a detailed list of possible outcomes see
• http//www-staff.lboro.ac.uk/adjjw/N4network
  ingoutcomes.doc

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Networking DOS (Warner) ?

• Ask others for help
• Be friendly, warm and sincere
• Be persistent in following up and following
  through
• Focus carefully on learning peoples names
• Be helpful to others even if there is no
  immediate or
• direct benefit to you
• Stay in touch regularly and systematically
• Always carry calling cards
• Get known as being well-connected (and a
  valuable
• resource for others)
• Sit next to strangers at events (not alone or
  with
• people you know)
• Keep networking even when you think you can
  stop

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Networking DONTS (Warner) ?

• Dont be impatient. Results and benefits can
  come
• when you least expect them and often take
  time
• Dont lose sight of your ultimate goal or
  objective
• Dont expect too much of others
• Dont have hidden agendas (not being up-front
  and
• straightforward with others)
• Dont be insensitive to value, belief
  culture differences
• Dont fail to follow through when you are
  given leads
• Dont contact people only when you need
  something
• Dont go for quantity over quality in your
  relationships
• Dont try to do too much and spread yourself
  too thinly
• Dont try to network in a way that doesnt fit
  your style

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Planning an effective networking programme

• Be aware both of what your contacts could do
  for you and
• also what you could do for them
• Ask contacts for help and advice
• - Never, initially, can you get me a
  job/placement?
• Set yourself objectives before you start
  networking
• - Review these at the end of each meeting
• Prepare for each networking meeting reflect
  afterwards
• on the outcomes
• - Research your contact and their
  organisation
• - Prepare a detailed list of questions
• - Keep notes of suggested action points

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Networking resources

• Loughborough Careers Centre guide
• Networking - the art of using contacts
• Download this guide from
• http//www-staff.lboro.ac.uk/adjjw/N1networ
  king.doc
• Explains the mechanics of
• How networking works
• How to create a list of contacts
• How to make effective use of those contacts
• This guide is supported by a range of associated
  exercises and support materials
• - Electronic version provides hyperlinks to
  all support materials
• (many of these developed at Brunel Proactive
  Mentoring project, 2002 )

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Mind Mapping resources

• Books by Tony Buzan held in the Brunel library
• (several copies of most videos)
• Use your head Innovative Learning and Thinking
  Techniques to fulfil your potential
• Master your memory more inspiring ways to
  increase the power of your memory, focus and
  creativity
• Use your memory
• The mind map book
• Tony Buzans Mind-Mapping website
• http//www.mind-mapping.co.uk/
• Mind Mapping software
• Inspiration available on Brunel Intranet,
  accessible to all students and staff provided
  by the Disability and Dyslexia Service

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And finally
An online link to this presentation is available
at http//www-staff.lboro.ac.uk/adjjw/brunelmind
mapnetworking.ppt Any questions?