The Proactive Job Search Series: Part 3 of 4
If you’re someone who considers your network to be teeny tiny or if you’re asking the question – what the f*ck is a network – you’re not alone. There is still time to build one so that you can be proactive about your job search or building a career on your terms.
You may not have a network if you:
Are a recent graduate and early on in your career.
Have worked for a single company for your entire career.
Have worked for companies and institutions that are more focused on jobs and tasks rather than relationships
Haven’t had time for conversations outside of work and family relationships.
Recently moved to a new town or city.
Wherever you are is a fine place to start. Self judgment or a focus on what you “should have done” is not helpful for moving forward.
We start with compassion.
So take yourself off the gazillion job postings and let’s focus the time you DO have on building out your professional network.
If you have a small network, here’s where to start:
Connect with your alumna networks from the schools you’ve attended. Do they have local in-person or virtual events you can go to? Are there other alumni in your field who you can connect with on LinkedIn or for a coffee?
If you have kids in school, get to know the other working parents. What do they do? Where do they work?
Find a networking group or meetup that relates to an interest or part of your identity. For example, I have clients that belong to local working mother groups or groups for marketing professionals or teachers. Also, some of my Queer clients belong to LGBTQ+ professional groups like Out Professionals or Lesbians Who Tech.
Find one or two people who are connectors (like me!). There may be someone in your life who LOVES to bring people together, make introductions and play professional matchmaker. Have a chat with this person and see who else they may be able to introduce you to (people in your industry, at companies that interest you, who’ve made similar transitions). These are what I call high impact conversations because you walk away with 5 or 6 new introductions. FYI – this is part of what I offer clients when they’re working with me. I like to introduce them to people within my network who are often very generous with their time (Thank you, network!).
Once you have spent some time expanding your network, then I would begin applying to roles that are connected to these people within your new and growing community. #teamYOU
Next week, in our final email of the Proactive Job Search Series, we’re going to discuss small wins and how to know when you’re making progress – before you actually land the new job.