Building Someone Else's Network - MAC079

Back in Episode 029 (https://www.managingacareer.com/29), I talked about how to build your network.  In that episode, I suggested that you can attend meet-ups and conferences to expand your network.  And then, through the connections you have, you can find ways to get connected to others that can help you learn and grow.

But networking isn't just about how other people can help you.  It should be a reciprocal relationship.  With the state of the job market right now and so many professionals finding themselves laid off from jobs they may have had for years, now is the perfect time for you to use the resources and connections you have to help others.

Spend time going through your list of connections on LinkedIn and see who has the "Open To Work" banner enabled or who has recently posted about looking for a job.  Do you remember how you're connected to them?  Do you remember what they know about or what they do?

Reach out to each of the people on your list.  If it has been a while since you've connected, spend some time catching up.  As you reconnect, provide them with emotional support.  Remind them of the things that you liked about interacting with them.  Play up their strengths.  Losing a job is stressful and demoralizing.  Being available to talk and boosting their confidence can go a long way to helping even if just to lift someone's spirits.

If you have experience with the hiring and interview process, you might also offer to review their resume and LinkedIn profile or to provide interview practice for them.  It can be difficult to know why you aren't getting jobs when you just hear the "no".  By offering to give them constructive feedback, it can help them break past the screeners and possibly even land a job.

If there are people in your connections that have the "Hiring" banner up or have recently posted openings at their company, offer to provide introductions to contacts that they do not know.  By becoming a connector, you are reinforcing your value to both parties.  Not only does this help them now, but it will help keep you in mind when they have other opportunities in the future.

Not everyone you are connected to has an "Open To Work" or "Hiring" banner on their profile.  When you see good or interesting job postings, share them on social media.  If someone is unhappy with their job and is secretly looking, it will bring the jobs you post about into their focus.  They may even reach out to you allowing you to be able to provide some of the other means of support.

You can also share the profile of someone looking for work and highlight their strengths.  The benefit of a network isn't always the direct connections.  Sometimes it's the friend of a friend of a friend that winds up having the solution to the problem.

So, to recap.  If you want to strengthen your network, you should look for opportunities to help others and not just look at your network as something to use.  Taking actions to help those in your network will have payback in the future when you really need it.  With the current state of the job market, this is a great time to invest in your network by helping others find a job.  Offer emotional support.  Help them with the application and interview process.  Be a connector.  What you will find is that if you help someone find a new job, it can build some very strong connections.  It can also lead to new connections for YOUR network.

Networking is a two-way street.  It's one of the reasons that I started this podcast.  I invest my time in creating each weeks' episode because I want to share the things that I've learned throughout my career and offer content that helps you on your own personal journey.  Word of mouth is one of the strongest methods for spreading the word because it builds on the trust that you already have created.  If you found this episode -- or any other episode -- to be helpful, share it with your network.  Help me grow my audience through your network.

Are you looking for a career coach? If you reach out to me via the contact form, I will arrange an introductory session where we can talk about your career goals and how I can help. If we're a good fit, we can schedule regular coaching sessions.