2022 – February 05
Key Takeouts:
- Talk to Family and Friends
While you may not want to work with your friends and family, don’t overlook them as a networking resource. There may be people in their network that, under other circumstances, you might not be able to connect with. So, don’t be shy, and take advantage of this unique opportunity.
- Attend Networking Events
Online or in-person networking events help get you in front of industry leaders and let you meet key players to make a lasting connection. You may very well meet a potential hiring manager—or even find your next mentor—at one of these events as well.
- Get Social
Social media may not be your thing, but it can be one of the easiest ways to grow your professional network. And of course, the best professional social media platform is LinkedIn.
Having a fully optimized LinkedIn profile is important for many reasons, but it’s only one part of your networking efforts. Join some LinkedIn groups and thoughtfully engage in discussions. Providing helpful advice demonstrates that you’re someone other group members want as part of their network. Over time, that connection could benefit both of you.
- Connect With Former Coworkers
- If you left your previous position on good terms, consider connecting with your former coworkers, or even your boss. If nothing else, you can catch up on old times and find out what’s new and exciting with your old company. If they’ve moved on, you never know who or what they know, so it could be worth it to reconnect.