DallasBlue offers networking help through LinkedIn University with classes such as LinkedIn 301:Branding & Marketing, LinkedIn 203: LinkedIn for Jobseekers, and others for both beginner and expert networkers.

We also provide personal consultations in person or over the phone as your Executive Coach. Our experience and expertise goes beyond branding, marketing, and networking to provide the support you need both in the short and long-term, including motivation, strategies, programs, execution, progress tracking, and mental health and balance.

Here are our top executive networking tips.

1. Build your personal network. You likely neglected this when working 80 hour weeks on 3 continents when you were employed. Be sure to build and reconnect witth this vital base.
   
   
2. Brand, Brand, Brand. It's like retail where the only thing that is important is location, location, location. You're not going to be partying like it's 1999 for a while. Those insane boom years are gone. Sure, you might luck out and hear from a recruiter seeking a sales pro with 15 years experience at Oracle selling to the mobile industry in Latin America ... which you did. But are you going to wait for that call?
   
   There are tens of thousands of executives just like you. How are you going to compete? How will hiring executives find you? How will you stand out in the crowd?
   
   
3. Create personal "products".  Packaging your talents into products is a fundamental part of personal marketing and branding.   Such products include research, surveys, blogs, newsletters, etc.  Tis always better to give than receive!
   
   
4. What is your opportunity scope? Are you looking for a full-time established position? Will you accept part-time consulting work? Are you interested in providing sweat equity at a startup or smaller company? Are you looking for partners to form your own company? The more flexible you can be, the more potential matches you'll find.
   
   
5. Develop a strategy. Online networking is no different from offline. You need to plan how you're going to get that next job, including targets, networking paths, and communications vehicles. What are target industries and companies? Who are the key people that can help get there - including friends, strong connections, recruiters, area and online hubs, industry authorities, organizations and networking groups, etc.
   
   
6. Just do it! A proactive, multi-pronged and phased job search includes both making new online connections and meeting people in person.