You’re looking for a new job and your career coach says you need to ‘network’.
If you’re not sure exactly what you want to do or don’t know where your skills could fit, that can make networking scary. Here are a few suggestions:
✨ Boil down your top skills. “I’ve got a broad set of skills that I have developed over my career, but where I think I can do the best work is with (you fill in the skill areas, eg, marketing strategy, logistics and ops, building engaged teams…etc.).
✨ Prepare well. Research the person with whom you’re meeting and their company.
✨ It’s ok to have questions about your direction. “I’ve been in one industry for a while, so I am doing this exploration to get a better understanding of where my skills are most valued in other industries.”
✨ Have an answer for “How can I help you?” “I’d love more names of people to talk to.” “I was hoping to understand where my skills fit in a company like yours.” “With your knowledge of the industry, what advice would you give someone in my situation??” “How could I best become a candidate for a job here?”
✨ Simplify and make it easy for people to help you. Listen.
Other career coaches out there- please add your advice! 🙂
Thanks to Rebecca M. Knight and for great advice in the attached article.
“…(don’t) go in cold. After all, your goal is to come across in a way that inspires others to help you. So do your homework.”
https://hbr.org/2016/02/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-an-informational-interview
