We often tell our kids “don’t talk to strangers”. This did not bode well with Job searching. Job searching is about talking to strangers. They come in the name of recruiters that you know them on the phone for the first time, or hiring managers for job positions that you have never met before, or people that are introduced to you because they work in some companies that you are interested in career opportunities?
How do we shape up the “talking to strangers” skills and comfort level?
There are many techniques in Career Transition Services on how to network, and how to connect, with emphasis on social network and professional network; some even with the scripts on what to say, and what to write to increase chance of a response?
After a few years, would we start to see these types of “networking” electives offered in school?
oliviatamccue 
This is an interesting topic. When we grow older, we actually need to acquire the skiill of getting used to talk to strangers, this starts from the days of kindergarden interviews – small kids are being asked to present themselves in order to get a place – i find that sometimes quite amusing. So, maybe the training has started even before schooling.
thank you Ceci for the sweet reply!..
i enjoyed reading your posting – you do Chinese typing ! I am impressed – could not do that myself. I have not read any book from that author – I did come across her books in the bookshop but i found her nickname deterring. after reading your comment, i am thinking to try reading one and then can share with you 🙂
Chinese typing is very challenging, esp. with free phonetic software. I am looking for better tools for that. The author has an interesting story, where she was in some stressful jobs at financial industry; then she had a family and stayed home; she then picked up her hobby in writing and some story plots she has been writing about. Her writing style has improved quite a bit in every series – practice makes perfect.
practice always help in all cases. i had lunch with my Team on my first day of block leave, as there was simply no time that fitted everyone and I wanted to have the Team lunch while i still could – before breaking the news of having to let one member go.. During lunch, i mentioned this new author and my secretary was not impressed by her thinking her nickname has done her more harm than good. Interesting perspective – but then consistent with her character.
i may pick up a book of hers from the city hall library and see for myself – gee, it must be decades since my last visit there!!
By the way, I have booked some tickets for the 2013 Arts Festival – first time I did this for a change and get some new experience in my routines. I will only find out if I am successful in getting all or some of the porgrammes.