Getting the best out of your career network – Part 2
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Last time we looked at who you need in your career network, to make sure you have the right people in place to help and support your career. But having the right people is just a start – you need the right tools and tactics in place to get the most from them.
To quote Jerry Maguire – here’s how to help them to help you!
1. Get your priorities right. While you’ll need to ask people to help you, your number one priority is building a relationship that others value and find helpful. It’s a two-way process, and it’s important not to let that slip from your mind. How are you helping others, every day and every week? How are you keeping in touch and aiming to help them? If you haven’t spoken to someone for 18 months – it’s much harder to reach out for help. Keeping in touch with people is a legitimate way of spending time at work as it makes you more effective in gathering information and getting things done.
2. If you’re looking for your next role, be clear about the kind of work you’re seeking. At the minimum, you’ll need to know what skills you want to use, and the kind of contribution you want to make. Ideally, you’ll have roles in mind to illustrate this (though it will also be useful to hear other people’s thoughts on roles you might not be aware of). The people in your network can only help you if you are able to tell them what you’re looking for, and what help you need.
3. Let people know when you are looking. You can do this informally, in casual conversations – just letting people know that you are starting to think about your next job or project, and the thoughts you have on this. Start conversations with others – ‘How are you doing?’ and see if you can help them. They will naturally reciprocate – and this gives you a chance to alert them to your plans. If you let people know when you are looking, you’re more likely to hear of opportunities at the right time.
4. Reach out through your network. Spend time thinking about who you know, who could give you insights and help. Also consider who you would ideally love to talk to, across the organisation. While you may not know all the people you’d like to talk to, you’re bound to find someone you know who could put you in touch. Ask them to phone or email the person, to ask if they mind speaking to you. This means that you have a warm contact with the new person, and it’s much easier to ask to meet for a coffee or lunch.
5. Pass on credit where credit is due. Make sure that when you speak with a new contact you let them know why the person who introduced you thought it was a good idea. Often this is because the introducer thinks highly of the person, and values their knowledge and insights – this is good to pass on. When you have a helpful conversation – make sure the introducer knows how valuable their help was.
6. Think about your current development needs. Your career network is not all about looking for your next role. Is there anyone in your network who could help you to address areas where you know you need to build understanding and experience? Your career network is part of ‘the university of life’ – and it should include a ‘Faculty’ – a set of knowledgeable people with great skills, who you can learn from. Do you have a world class Faculty? Do you make best use of them, to learn and improve?
TAKE AWAY
As you start to develop your career network, make sure you build the right quality of relationships, and are seen as positive, helpful and interested. When you need help from people, prepare well and give them the information they need to help you.
To quote Jerry Maguire – here’s how to help them to help you!
1. Get your priorities right. While you’ll need to ask people to help you, your number one priority is building a relationship that others value and find helpful. It’s a two-way process, and it’s important not to let that slip from your mind. How are you helping others, every day and every week? How are you keeping in touch and aiming to help them? If you haven’t spoken to someone for 18 months – it’s much harder to reach out for help. Keeping in touch with people is a legitimate way of spending time at work as it makes you more effective in gathering information and getting things done.
2. If you’re looking for your next role, be clear about the kind of work you’re seeking. At the minimum, you’ll need to know what skills you want to use, and the kind of contribution you want to make. Ideally, you’ll have roles in mind to illustrate this (though it will also be useful to hear other people’s thoughts on roles you might not be aware of). The people in your network can only help you if you are able to tell them what you’re looking for, and what help you need.
3. Let people know when you are looking. You can do this informally, in casual conversations – just letting people know that you are starting to think about your next job or project, and the thoughts you have on this. Start conversations with others – ‘How are you doing?’ and see if you can help them. They will naturally reciprocate – and this gives you a chance to alert them to your plans. If you let people know when you are looking, you’re more likely to hear of opportunities at the right time.
4. Reach out through your network. Spend time thinking about who you know, who could give you insights and help. Also consider who you would ideally love to talk to, across the organisation. While you may not know all the people you’d like to talk to, you’re bound to find someone you know who could put you in touch. Ask them to phone or email the person, to ask if they mind speaking to you. This means that you have a warm contact with the new person, and it’s much easier to ask to meet for a coffee or lunch.
5. Pass on credit where credit is due. Make sure that when you speak with a new contact you let them know why the person who introduced you thought it was a good idea. Often this is because the introducer thinks highly of the person, and values their knowledge and insights – this is good to pass on. When you have a helpful conversation – make sure the introducer knows how valuable their help was.
6. Think about your current development needs. Your career network is not all about looking for your next role. Is there anyone in your network who could help you to address areas where you know you need to build understanding and experience? Your career network is part of ‘the university of life’ – and it should include a ‘Faculty’ – a set of knowledgeable people with great skills, who you can learn from. Do you have a world class Faculty? Do you make best use of them, to learn and improve?
TAKE AWAY
As you start to develop your career network, make sure you build the right quality of relationships, and are seen as positive, helpful and interested. When you need help from people, prepare well and give them the information they need to help you.