Career Tips: How To Leverage Your Network
You've built your network, now what? Now you need best practices for USING that network. Much like any other relationship, your professional connections should be nurtured and cultivated over time. Here are our top 3 tips for doing just that.
1. Stay Connected
If you trade information with a new connection or create a new LinkedIn contact the easiest way to start is with a simple follow up. Let them it was great to meet them, you enjoyed talking about (insert something specific and memorable- kids, dogs, and career challenges are great here!), and you’d love to stay in touch. Try to keep a cadence of check ins on at least a quarterly basis. This creates a more genuine relationship, so it is more natural if you need career help later down the line.
2. Pay It Forward
If you have the opportunity to offer something, do it! It can be something as simple as answering a question they post online, to connecting them with a colleague of yours, to offering an extra ticket you happen to come across for a professional event. Look for ways to add value for others and it will (almost) always circle back around.
3. Ask With Class
If and when the time comes that you need a favor ask over lunch or schedule a virtual happy hour. Spend time catching up first and then introduce your situation and ask for advice so that your colleague can offer a level of assistance that THEY are comfortable with. For example, rather than asking someone to push your resume to the top of the pile you can ask for resume tips and keywords of interest, guidance on interviewing with someone in their organization, or numerous other ways to get where you want based on what you have to offer.
