Do you know who you know?
ByWhen you need a solution to a problem, who do you go to? A family member, friend, neighbour, or perhaps your online communities?
The web has opened up the idea of who is an expert, and even who is available for advice.
If you’re thinking about a career transition, it makes sense to let the whole world know what you’re looking for. (Of course, first you have to define what it is that you want. If you need help with that, I’m available.)
That means contacting everyone you know with a brief description of the career move you’re looking for. And don’t forget to ask how you can help them — to reap the rewards of networking you must focus on what you can give, not what you can get.
So, who do you know? I’ll bet there are a whole lot of people who you don’t think of on a regular basis but might be able and ready to help you. Take a large sheet of paper and draw a circle in the middle — that’s you. Then draw lines out from the circle for each area of your life. These could include school, current work, sports groups, recreational groups, online communities, extended family — you get the idea. There are no bad contacts. You never know where your next lead will come from. And, it’s just polite to give everyone equal courtesy when you contact them or meet new people for the first time.
So take advantage of who you know and who they know. You never ‘know’ where it might lead!