Written by: Michelle Schafer, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
The ongoing pandemic continues to create a thick layer of stress for a lot of people. Job-seekers are feeling the brunt, too, as looking for work in a pandemic poses unique challenges. Are you embarking on a career transition, and feeling stuck in your job search? If so, there are several activities you can engage in to move your search forward. One of those activities is networking remotely.
Often when I speak to clients about networking and reaching out to talk to organizations (cue the eye rolls and blank gazes), the main complaints I receive are:
I recently moved to a new city/community and don’t have anyone to ask
People are too busy and will have no time for me
I don’t know anyone in ABC sector or who works at XYZ company
Looking “through” the network versus “at” the network
When I was restructured from my HR job in financial services 16 years ago and wanted to get into the non-profit sector, I started looking “at” my network and found there was only one person I knew who had worked in a non-profit. Talking to just one person was obviously not going to help me find work. I didn’t realize then that I was missing many opportunities to grow my network – instead of looking “at” my network (to see who worked in non-profits), I needed to look “through” my network to find new potential connections working in my area of interest.
Each person in our network is likely connected to hundreds of people – and any one of those individuals can be of assistance. I needed to think about who my friends and colleagues were connected to that did work in this sector, and who could help me explore possibilities.
Being intentional about the search
Looking for work is an intentional process – you will be far more successful in proactively targeting the organizations you are interested in instead of waiting passively for a posting to appear. This is especially true now, as people are being hired through network referrals with no job posting. So how can you uncover those “hidden” opportunities? Here are some ways to do this:
List all the companies you would be interested in exploring opportunities with – ones that align with your own values and “non-negotiables” (or dealbreakers). During COVID-19, companies have demonstrated those values in real time through how they support their clients and employees. Pay attention to how these values “show up.”
Brainstorm a list of all the people in your network who can help – this may start off as a very short list. Consider all the sources – family, friends, friends of friends, former colleagues, parents at your child’s school/sports team, stylist, people you volunteer with, alumni, accountant, people at the gym – and the list goes on
Identify individuals who could get you in the door to the organizations you want to explore – and what new possibilities are revealed when you look “through” the network. Each person in your network likely knows anywhere from 50-200 people – tap into these sources.
Ask for an online meeting or phone call – for some, asking for the meeting with someone they have never met is more fear-inducing than actually conducting the meeting. An email containing information about who recommended you, how they can help (eg, provide information about an industry, what their organization is like as a place to work or the career path they chose to enter the company) and a brief capture of skills/experience can support you with making the ask.
Remind yourself of the three principles of networking: ) It is just a big word that means “having conversations” (and we do this every day – talking to someone behind us in line at the grocery store, or meeting a new neighbour); 2.) People love to help (this is so true especially today!), and 3.) People love talking about themselves. Put on your “curiosity hat” and make it all about the other person by asking some thought-provoking questions to gather information which will inform your job search. Have your “pitch” ready to talk about yourself when the time comes.
Ask for a new connection at the end of the meeting – ask and you shall receive. Not asking is a missed opportunity to grow the network and get connected to someone you would not have otherwise met.
Send a thank you at the end of the meeting that includes something relevant or interesting they learned in the meeting. People love to help – and they also love to know specific ways they helped.
An ongoing process
Watching your network grow is rewarding – and takes a lot of work. Networking is not a linear process; stewarding the relationships and keeping them fresh takes time and effort. Thankfully, social media such as LinkedIn can help with this. Stay in touch with your network – let them know when you “land” and share articles that may be of interest. You will likely need to tap into that network again one day.
Michelle Schafer, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Michelle Schafer is an International Coaching Federation Certified Coach and Facilitator, specializing in career transition and leadership. She is the owner and founder of Michelle Schafer Coaching, empowering people to achieve career fulfillment. Michelle has personally experienced two significant career transitions through restructuring and has reinvented herself for new careers both times. She deeply understands the physical, emotional and mental impact associated with a job search. Michelle is passionate about people and inspired by their progress, working with clients at all levels of an organization and across sectors including federal and municipal government, high tech, not-for-profit and financial services. Michelle offers coaching 1:1, in groups and recently was certified in the foundations of team coaching with the Global Team Coaching Institute.
