The Savvy Gal Blog

Online Networking Tip: Don't play "Guess who's coming to your network?"

Savvy Gal Networking Tip: Don't play "Guess who's coming to your network?"  Think carefully about whom you invite into your network, because you will be exposing your other contacts to that person.  When in doubt, use the “dinner with friends” test.  If you don’t know certain people well enough to invite them out to a dinner with your friends and close colleagues, then you might not want to invite them into your online network either.

This tip courtesy of The Savvy Gal's Guide to Online Networking (or What Would Jane Austen Do?)

It's small, small, LinkedIn world

What do you know?  Mr. Homecoming King two years running has accepted my LinkedIn invitation.  Time to check out his network.  Still wish they had pictures on LinkedIn.  So, who does Chris Martin know?  Tommy Harrons?  Jake Sullivan?  Huh.  Weren’t they from high school?  Is anyone in his network NOT from high school?  Funny, I only keep in touch with M.  But, she’ll be thrilled to contact this group.  Guess I’ll email Chris the reunion details and ask him to spread the word.  Wonder if he’s married.

Online Networking Tip: An address book that updates itself

Savvy Gal Networking Tip: Think of LinkedIn and other social networks as an address book that updates itself.  With today’s transient population, sometimes email addresses are the most consistent contact method.  With social networks, the onus is on the members to keep their own information up-to-date.

This tip courtesy of The Savvy Gal's Guide to Online Networking (or What Would Jane Austen Do?)

Linking up with your high school crush

Back from second date with BD (Blind Date) guy.  He’s really nice, and we do just babble on like I do with my girlfriends.  But, he’s just no Chris Martin, who was, of course, my high school crush and has been the comparison for every man I’ve ever met.  Speaking of Chris, I couldn’t find him on www.Classmates.com.  Maybe I’ll try www.LinkedIn.com.  I think I remember him getting a football scholarship to State...

Oh my god, omigod, omigod, it’s him, it’s got to be him. Right age, right college.  He’s in sales. Figures, with his looks.  No picture, bummer.  I’ll try a few other industry-related networks.  Maybe he doesn’t know about the reunion?  He wasn’t on M’s official list.  I guess I could send him a LinkedIn invitation to connect.  But, no, it’s Friday night, he’ll think I’m a total dweeb (or worse, not have any clue who I am).  I’ll just wait until tomorrow or something, and say that I was spending the weekend helping M with reunion. Yeah.  That’s it. Hmmmm.  I wonder if he’s married.

Best to ego-google BEFORE the blind date

Surprisingly, Thursday night’s blind date wasn’t absolutely awful.  No love at first sight, “Sleepless in Seattle-worthy,” fireworks-shooting-off-over-our-heads moments, unfortunately.  But, he was quite funny and a true gentleman, even after we determined that I should not be allowed near sharp objects like darts after a glass or two of Chardonnay.  (I do so hope that barkeep’s arm heals quickly.) All in all, BD (Blind Date) guy seemed fairly well adjusted for a 40-something “never married” (a species of male who more often than not, has more issues than a DWK, i.e., divorced with kids).

The bonus is that he may be a great business contact.  He actually seemed somewhat interested in my consulting work.  Will definitely keep him in the rotation.  Not that there’s anyone to rotate him with, but that’s not the point, is it?  However, it did make me a bit nervous when he made comments about what HE found about me online.  I guess I better do some ego-Googling.

Egad!  How did that God-awful picture from my last company’s webpage stay up there?  Have no idea, but at least I should counteract it with a better one somewhere.  Hmmmm. Let me check out that www.downtownwomensclub.com website that I used to contact those HR reps last week and see (1) if there are any photographers on there (it’s always nice to give another gal some business); and (2) if there are any women whose professional photos I like.  I could just jot off an email and ask who took the photo if they’re local.  (Actually, that’s not a bad way to start chatting.)  Then I could post a profile with a photo that doesn’t scream “early 1990s;” no need to flaunt my age—it’s hard enough to get dates as it is.

Blind dates - Testing the fine line between googling and stalking

I can’t believe I let my friend, C, set me up on a blind date tonight.  Ugh.  I hate these, but I vowed to actually make an attempt at a social life this year.  And when she called last weekend claiming she had the perfect man for me, I caved.  Even though “perfect” in her world means single and breathing. 

Maybe I can find a picture of him online and avoid having to make eye contact with every guy who walks into the bar.  I try very hard to stick to just that basic information when I Google, but sometimes I can’t help myself. Isn’t info that he made political donations to a right-wing extremist important to know before inviting him out to cocktails with my liberal, “we put the ‘L’ in left,” girlfriends?

And while I don’t care much about age, as I’m now considered a “mature single” myself, it just starts off on the wrong foot if he tells me he’s 46 and I find out he runs half-marathons in the over-50 category. Sometimes it’s worrisome that I’m no longer sure what the guy has told me and what I found out for myself.  But, my friend, C, assures me that I haven’t crossed over the line into stalking. (I’m following them online, after all, not hiding in the bushes outside their houses.)  Besides, if this was a business meeting, you betcha I’d be Googling!