meetup for career networking?

March 26, 2009 10:17 AM

Do people here do meetups that focus on career networking?

Having never been to a regular meetup, I guess those might function the same way -- "networking" is a pretty broad activity. But since I got laid off recently I'm thinking how it might be good to meetup with Metafilter people in my area (philly) strictly for the purpose of career search -- attended by people who want to help people get connected with new jobs, and of course people who are looking for new jobs.

So what I'm asking is, is there enough difference between meetups as they currently happen, and career-networking meetups (for lack of a better term), that it would be useful to try to organize one of the latter?

More specifically: anybody in Philly interested in a networking meetup? Separate from the regular one that's upcoming?

posted by stupidsexyFlanders to MetaFilter gatherings at 10:17 AM (19 comments total)

You might wanna check out your local young professionals club too, they can be pretty good for this kind of thing.
posted by no_moniker at 10:31 AM on March 26

The Atlanta meetups are all about Sex, Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll. So if you're a Porn Star, Junkie or Mick Jagger, we'd love to have you.
posted by studentbaker at 11:44 AM on March 26 [2 favorites]

Having worked for one, I can say that you should check out your local technology industry associations. MeFi meetups are good for networking up to a point, but industry associations are almost specifically focused on networking. People who attend events hosted by industry associations know how to network, and will help you connect the dots more easily.

I found my one MeFi meetup to be a great chance to drink beer and eat pizza bread with likeminded individuals - it's more of a social occasion that lets your relax and forget that you need to find a job.
posted by KokuRyu at 11:49 AM on March 26 [2 favorites]

There do exist mefites whose current employment is the result of a meetup, but I wouldn't go in with too many explicit expecations along those lines.
posted by StickyCarpet at 12:35 PM on March 26

Come to the meetup(s). We will take your business card and regale you with bad puns involving The Terminator and/or xkcd. It will be more fun than any official networking event will ever be.

I don't think I've met a Philly MeFite that I wouldn't be happy to help get a foot in the door somewhere, if it is in my power. And I can think of at least a handful who are involved in work that may well overlap my own. So that's a very real possibility.

Contrast that with the official networking events that I've been to: which involved drinking with random people I was pretty sure I had nothing in common with, and whose business cards I took on the off chance that someday I might email them and they might remember me and help me somehow get a job. Not only is it less fun, it's less useful.

Very sorry to hear about the layoff. Come out and play with us. We'll help if we can!
posted by greekphilosophy at 12:39 PM on March 26

There do exist mefites whose current employment is the result of a meetup, but I wouldn't go in with too many explicit expecations along those lines.

Agreed.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 12:43 PM on March 26 [1 favorite]

Atlanta meetups ...So if you're a Porn Star, Junkie or Mick Jagger

Geez, tell everyone next time!
posted by pointystick at 12:47 PM on March 26

Does your career involve drinking a lot?
posted by Artw at 1:29 PM on March 26

Does your career involve drinking a lot?

Not yet.
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 1:50 PM on March 26

I was under the impression that the majority of people that attend meetups WORK for Metafilter.
posted by blue_beetle at 2:31 PM on March 26 [1 favorite]

I want to work for metafilter! So, anyone from metafilter who comes to Glasgow can stay at my house.
posted by By The Grace of God at 3:54 PM on March 26

I heard there was headhunting at MeFi meetups, but I just assumed, well, you know.
posted by FelliniBlank at 4:41 PM on March 26 [2 favorites]

So if you're a Porn Star, Junkie or Mick Jagger, we'd love to have you.

Coincidentally enough, I am all three.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 5:16 PM on March 26

I have always found work and metafilter to be mutually exclusive concepts.
posted by Samuel Farrow at 6:24 PM on March 26

The thing to do, stupidsexyFlanders, considering that Philly is just an hour by train from NYC, is to call a meetup in NYC, as an out of town visitor, then you can at least get the pre-job-interview confidence boost of being an honored guest.

From what I recall you have a pretty good brand recognition, you're the witty good-natured guy, right? NY can get pretty desperate for meetup premises, I'd think you'd be something of a draw.
posted by StickyCarpet at 11:21 PM on March 26

I think you have a better chance of getting laid as a result of a meetup than hired. Still, might be worth a shot.
posted by Eideteker at 4:47 AM on March 27

I have always found work and metafilter to be mutually exclusive concepts.

Especially the next day.
posted by generichuman at 5:35 AM on March 27

A few of us do have jobs. But if you came here looking for work, you are doing it wrong.
posted by b1tr0t at 6:44 AM on March 27

Don't forget http://jobs.metafilter.com/
posted by theora55 at 8:00 AM on March 27