{"id":20867,"date":"2013-05-06T11:00:20","date_gmt":"2013-05-06T15:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/inalj.com\/?p=20867"},"modified":"2013-05-27T13:06:34","modified_gmt":"2013-05-27T17:06:34","slug":"career-management-plan-to-attend-a-conference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/inalj.com\/?p=20867","title":{"rendered":"Career Management Tip: Plan to Attend a Conference"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>by Christina Wilson, Head Editor, <a title=\"INALJ Alberta\" href=\"https:\/\/inalj.com\/?page_id=5931\" target=\"_blank\">INALJ Alberta<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Career Management Tip:\u00a0 Plan to Attend a Conference<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/inalj.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/christina1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-12047 alignleft\" alt=\"christina1\" src=\"https:\/\/inalj.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/christina1.jpg\" width=\"157\" height=\"210\" \/><\/a>Library conference season is upon us!\u00a0 Whether employed or not, attending a library conference offers many opportunities for career management, from meeting senior hiring managers in other spheres through gathering information about targeted organizations to expanding your own personal network.\u00a0\u00a0 The University of Alberta School of Library and Information Science recognises this by offering a one credit course in \u201cSocialization and Trendspotting\u201d, which encourages student to attend the provincial library association conference (<a href=\"http:\/\/preview.tinyurl.com\/cln3lch\">http:\/\/preview.tinyurl.com\/cln3lch<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>Getting the most out of the conference is a skillful undertaking; as important when seeking employment as it was when you were employed. \u00a0\u00a0Consider yourself a free agent, plan your experience, practise networking skills and follow up after the conference. \u00a0Conferences can be overwhelming and so the following outline is offered to bring focus and purpose to your conference experience.<\/p>\n<p><b>Create an Action Plan<\/b>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>When registering, sign up for receptions, keynotes and ice-breakers, in addition to sessions.\u00a0\u00a0 It\u2019s easily done in advance as most library conferences pre-post their schedules.\u00a0 \u201cFirst Timer\u201d, \u201cVendor\u201d and \u201cWelcome\u201d Receptions are important networking opportunities, so even if you\u2019re shy, plan to attend and practise the art of networking conversations.<\/li>\n<li>Work out a succinct statement or a short way to describe your situation, if asked. \u00a0\u00a0Briefly state where you work\/ed, what you do\/did and what you\u2019re planning to do. \u00a0Preparing for these introductory questions will help you be more assured, comfortable and confident.<\/li>\n<li>Attend keynote talks.\u00a0 They provide speaking points, valuable as conversation starters to create networking opportunities.<\/li>\n<li>Create a conference schedule (either print or online) to stay organised and avoid carrying around the often bulky conference program. \u00a0Make time on your schedule to visit the vendor floor.\u00a0 Not only will you pick up valuable information on initiatives of potential workplaces from the vendors, but you\u2019ll also colleagues, in discussion with vendors.\u00a0 I find these exchanges to be the best learning opportunities.<\/li>\n<li>Set up some pre-event networking through social media outlets such as LinkedIn and Facebook. \u00a0They can be casual, with the goal of meeting online acquaintances at coffee, a session or the first timer\u2019s reception. \u00a0Not only is this a networking encounter but it guarantees that you\u2019ll know at least one person when you walk into the session or event.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Pack for Success:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>If actively job seeking, bring appropriate, professional wear.\u00a0 I recommend \u201cbusiness casual\u201d at least as you\u2019ll be encountering future employers, even if currently employed.<\/li>\n<li>Comfort is paramount though, so wear layers and your most comfortable shoes.\u00a0\u00a0 Conference days are long, the venues tend to sprawl, so prepare for a lot of walking and standing around. \u00a0Some of your most productive encounters may occur in food lineups, standing in the vendor hall or leaning up against a wall.\u00a0 I\u2019ve found that the best sessions are usually standing room only.<\/li>\n<li>If presenting, convening, accepting or attending upscale events, more dressy is more appropriate (tie, suit, dress, skirt).\u00a0 \u00a0Other delegates will vary the attire theme in keeping with their own motivation for attending the conference, but you must stay focused on your own goals and consider professional dress norms.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Your Brand is You<\/b>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Don\u2019t just bring business cards, carry them with you.\u00a0 I keep a stash behind my conference badge for ease of access.\u00a0 Even in this day and age of digital devices, business cards are still requested.<\/li>\n<li>They\u2019re useful in helping you remember your contacts, but, more importantly, helping them remember you!\u00a0 Write something meaningful on the back of your card, to help the recipient recall you.\u00a0 Similarly, if you\u2019ve promised to follow up on some area, write a tickler on their card, to remind to follow up accurately and promptly, after the conference.<\/li>\n<li>Consider creating your own \u201cfree agent\u201d business cards.\u00a0 Virtual cards can be exchanged using IPhone\u2019s Bump app (for Androids, too). \u00a0\u00a0LinkedIn\u2019s Munchcard\u00a0 manages business cards.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Image is Everything<\/b>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Take photos of the event, the host venue, keynotes and even, with their permission, the people you meet.<\/li>\n<li>If someone is out of business cards, or on their last one photograph it!\u00a0\u00a0 At a recent IT conference, I met a delegate who photographed business cards, rather than gather them, then sent along his own details electronically.<\/li>\n<li>Conference photos add colour and interest when you share the experience with others.\u00a0 They\u2019re also useful when following up with contacts and recalling events afterwards.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Volunteer:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>This is one of the best ways to build a valuable network at any phase of your career, whether new or many years along.<\/li>\n<li>It doesn\u2019t matter what you do, just do it. If you\u2019re a student, it gives you something to put on your resume other than just attending a conference. You can volunteer at the exhibit booth for your alma mater, for a professional association, a greeter, a session convenor, a resume reviewer or a greeter.<\/li>\n<li>\u00a0Most conferences need bloggers to cover presentations which can help you build your reputation and hone your journalism skills. \u00a0Even Virtual Conferences need volunteers to moderate webcasts, proof webpages and even give tours in Second Life!<\/li>\n<li>This is a great way to learn a new skill, join a team and gain recognition for being reliable and supportive.\u00a0 It could lead to a reference or even a lead from a conference committee colleague, even the Chair.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Post Conference Follow Up<\/b>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>After the conference, share your experience with others and follow up with those you have met.<\/li>\n<li>Review your business cards, fulfill any promised actions and add your new contacts to your newly expanded network.\u00a0\u00a0 This includes reaching out via Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.<\/li>\n<li>Keep up with their blogging activities and ensure that you include them in yours.<\/li>\n<li>More and more conference websites post their own \u201ctips\u201d to improve delegates\u2019 conference experience.\u00a0 This is a worthwhile section to review and also to comment on, after the fact.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In developing this post, I owe a debt to the following sites, recommended for more good advice for attending conferences:<\/p>\n<p>Conference Tips for Students and New Professionals, written by one:\u00a0\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/clagov.wordpress.com\/2011\/05\/23\/tips-for-students\/\">http:\/\/clagov.wordpress.com\/2011\/05\/23\/tips-for-students\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Stephen Abram\u2019s Conference Tips is thorough and wide-ranging:\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/stephenslighthouse.com\/2006\/05\/30\/conference-tips\/\">http:\/\/stephenslighthouse.com\/2006\/05\/30\/conference-tips\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Erin Dorney\u2019s Blog, includes a further list and some helpful comments:\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/erindorney.com\/2010\/03\/01\/conference-advice\/\">http:\/\/erindorney.com\/2010\/03\/01\/conference-advice\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>by Christina Wilson, Head Editor, INALJ Alberta Career Management Tip:\u00a0 Plan to Attend a Conference Library conference season is upon us!\u00a0 Whether employed or not, attending a library conference offers many opportunities for career management, from meeting senior hiring managers in other spheres through gathering information about targeted organizations to expanding your own personal network.\u00a0\u00a0&hellip;<\/p>\n<p class=\"more-link-p\"><a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/inalj.com\/?p=20867\">Read more \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[145],"tags":[69,3592,4239,3974,4238,3666],"class_list":["post-20867","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-articles","tag-article","tag-blog","tag-career-management","tag-christina-wilson","tag-conferences","tag-inalj-alberta"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1WoMK-5qz","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/inalj.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20867","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/inalj.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/inalj.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inalj.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inalj.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=20867"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/inalj.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20867\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/inalj.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=20867"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inalj.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=20867"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inalj.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=20867"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}