Reinventing Your Career? Why Building your Network is Essential

Are you considering a complete career change? You’re dissatisfied with your current role and although you’re viewed as successful, you sense that your definition of success may have changed.  Perhaps climbing the corporate ladder in your current career path is no longer as attractive as it once was, and you crave a career more aligned with your values and best strengths. So how do you discover what that looks like?

Read on to discover why growing and leveraging your network is such a critical component of successful career reinvention.

I’ve coached many professionals through this type of transition and almost always, their networking activities play a key role in finding their next opportunity.

There are three main reasons why networking is so important:

Reason 1 - Exploring Possibilities

Many people choose a new career path, invest significant time and money in gaining new qualifications, only to find that this career path isn’t for them. They chose this new path based on their perception of what this work would be like, without researching the reality of what the work involves on a day-to-day basis, with someone who is doing the work. By simply reaching out to people who are already doing the work you think you’d like to do and asking thoughtful questions, you could avoid making costly detours on your route to your ideal career.

Reason 2 – Researching Companies

Once you’ve completed your research and have clarity on the career direction you wish to pursue, you can start to research the companies you may wish to work for. These may be companies in your local geography, or in a city you’d consider relocating to, or a company that is open to remote work. Look at their LinkedIn Company Page and their website to learn more about them. Look at their jobs page (if they have one) and reach out and invite a few of their employees to connect on LinkedIn. If they accept your invitation, ask for a quick 8 - 10 minute zoom or phone call to help you understand more about the company and the corporate culture.

Job hunting tip: If you find a company that you really want to work for, you can express an interest and forward a resume to the HR team, even if there aren’t currently any openings that are a fit for you right now. That way, you’ll be “in the hopper’ when something does come up. They may even like your resume and experience so much that they meet with you. Sometimes they may end up  deciding to create a new position just for you and you have immediately eliminated the competition. This happens more often than you think, especially in companies that are growing fast.

Reason 3 – Build Relationships to Unlock Opportunities

Commit to continue to expand your network with others working in the companies you want to work for, or in the field you’re interested in. You’ll be surprised how willing people are to talk to you if you tell them you’re doing some research and would like their advice. Consider liking and commenting on their LinkedIn posts before reaching out.

Job hunting tip: Often openings aren’t handed off to recruiters until they’re been posted internally. Employees are one of the best referral sources for good candidates, since they know the company and are unlikely to recommend anyone who wouldn’t be a good fit, as it would reflect badly on them. Some companies even pay referral bonuses to employees – maybe you could be one of the candidates they refer.

Uncomfortable with networking?

I hope I’ve convinced you how critical networking can be in your job reinvention. If networking is something you struggle with, consider joining the Connect & Thrive Community for the opportunity to complete the Networking for Success online course and the chance to practice your networking skills in weekly live calls.

Interested in more personalized support? I work 1-on-1 with a limited number of highly motivated professionals who are committed to creating change and living a much more fulfilled life, both personally and professionally. It all starts with a Coaching Clarity Call.