The process of transitioning from an unsatisfying position to a career you love requires complex problem-solving. By now in our work together, you know what you want, you’ve got a strong LinkedIn profile, and we’ve developed some great language for you to communicate your personal brand and value to potential employers. Now, you’re ready to start connecting with people in your future field. In other words, you’re ready to network!
For everyone who groaned or cringed, try this reframing: networking is not a problem to be solved (or a pain to be avoided, or a hardship to endure). Networking is a place to learn. It is an opportunity to indulge your curiosity about the exciting world that you want to enter. You are not networking to get a job but to learn more about who is doing things you find interesting. It’s meeting people to discover their path and their passions and to connect with them on the basis of your common interests.
You have nailed your personal brand. You understand and can articulate the problems you’re interested in solving. Now it’s time to find others who want to address those same problems. You start with people: people who are eager to share their experience, their opinions, and their contacts so you can begin to have your questions answered. And don’t limit yourself to people and events within your present industry! Why? Because skills are transferable and new opportunities that allow you to stretch, add value, and grow professionally may occur in unexpected places. Networking is about reaching out and spreading the word.
You'll love these articles I’ve found. Follow their concrete tips, and even introverts can survive networking!
Lori Bumgarner, “How to Write Networking Emails that Will Get Responses”: beautiful place to begin
Dorie Clark, “The 3 Ways to Ask for Job Hunting Help and Get It”: practical and actionable advice on how to reach out
Michael Thompson, “59 Conversation Starters to Get the Most Out of Networking Events": how to jump into networking with a plan
Hunter Walk, “How This Anxious Introvert Handles Large Events”: advice and practical solutions to survive (maybe even enjoy!) the experience
I also highly recommend two excellent books on networking. I wrote about my favorite take aways from each in my blog recently.