Here at Gateway Career Management we understand the value of a career network, especially for tapping into the hidden job market and the hidden candidate market.
A career network, as with all networking, has two sides:
- It is the network of contacts important to you in your career
- It is also the people who value your input into their careers
Some people are natural networkers. They find it easy to meet lots of new people, remember who they are and quickly find connections and mutual contacts. Malcolm Gladwell in his book The Tipping Point calls these people ‘connectors’ describing them as:
…a handful of people with a truly extraordinary knack of making friends and acquaintances.
We can’t all be like these people, but what we can do is identify one or two and make them part of our network – this gives us access to a wider network of contacts.
Practical Steps to Build a Career Network
Here are actions you can take today to build a better career network:
- Use Linked In
- Sign in, or join if you’re not already a member
- Connect to Peter Wilford at Gateway Career management and you’re already starting to build your network
- Search for current work colleagues and send an invitation to connect
- Attend an event relevant to your profession
- Find out what local events are taking place for your professional association and book in
- At the event , talk to at least three people – that will be easy, the organisers will make sure you’re looked after and introduced to other attendees
- After the event make sure to contact at least one person. For example, send some relevant information, send an answer to a question, send an email thanking the organiser or invite an attendee to connect on Linked In.
- Prepare a mini profile or elevator speech – in 30 seconds, explain who you are, how you can help and what you’re looking for. Practise this (out loud).
If you need to build a better Career Network, then why not find out how: book a free, no obligation Gateway Career Consultation today.