80% of jobs are found through networking your network
Whether or not you are currently engaged in a job search, networking is a fundamental activity that should be embraced for numerous reasons. With time at a premium for most working adults, adding more to an already full schedule may feel like another obligation. It’s true that unless there is a clear intention and purpose, attending an event with a general notion of making contacts is unrealistic. It requires a plan and a purpose.
We recommend the 3-3-3 approach as a minimum goal for any event:
Choose a minimum of 3 people to connect with more than superficially. Listen. How might you help them
Collect 3 – business cards from people you spent time talking to
Connect– within 3-business days and follow up with another time to meet.
Networking doesn’t always mean carving out hours to connect and make introductions. Technology has created unlimited opportunity to reach out on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, alumni and special interest groups along with many other sites. You can renew relationships with former colleagues, research new interests or connect with people who are doing interesting things. Joining organizations that are not related to your area of expertise brings you into contact with new people, who don’t know you as someone from a prior role. This is especially helpful in a transition period where you may be looking at a career change.
Attend an innovative industry function as a guest to see if that demographic could potentially be a good fit. An added bonus is learning more about aeronautics, public relations, marketing or perhaps community theater. Be curious! You never know how you might be a resource for someone else. Likewise, you can also develop broader connections and learn something new in the process.
However comfortable you assumed you were with a job change, it may morph into overwhelming anxiety that was never anticipated. This makes it the ideal time to engage the support of a career coach with experience in helping professionals achieve better, faster, results. At KICKSTART Your Transition we can help as we offer a broad range of services to fit your needs
©MWeisner2020