April 1, 2015

How To Take Initiative for Career Networking

I regularly meet job seekers and others who will search in the near future. Often they ask for help but are not specific or persistent, which causes missed opportunities. On the other hand, I sometimes encounter people with skills in this area that would add value to any team. Here are some tips on how you can take initiative for career networking that will make you stand out among the pack.

1. Pick a field and be specific about your goal. Sometimes job seekers will ask to help them find any job. They don’t have an answer for what their perfect job would be, and they haven’t thought about a specific target for their search. Unfortunately it is almost impossible to help these people because they are not specific. For example, if you asked me to introduce you to someone who works at the Heritage Foundation because you are interested in a development job there, I could do it now. That is totally different than saying you are “open to anything,” “keeping all options on the table,” or “want experience in many fields.” I can’t help with that. If you actually are unsure about your goal, narrow it down to two or (maybe) three fields and organizations.

Specific ask: “Will you help introduce me to someone who works in development at the Heritage Foundation?

“Unspecific ask: “Will you please help me find a job? I’m open to anything.”

2. Ask for informational interviews.

3. Be consistent and send regular reminders. Successful professionals are busy and receive large volumes of email, calls, inquiries, etc. Even after you have an informational interview, keep sending a regular update that includes your resume every two weeks. Specifically list the jobs you want and remind the recipients how they can help you. Peter Redpath describes this as the “every other Friday email.” Read this post for details. This is not an imposition and is not viewed as such. Rather, it shows you are persistent.

4. Always look for ways to provide value. Whether you are formally interviewing or networking for your current role, look for ways you can help others. You won’t always be able to help, but a reputation of being helpful and empathetic toward others can go a long way. Sometimes you will help and the small favor from you might be a big boost to someone else. One example might be to ask what the gaps are for the organization. An organization might say their website needs some improvement but they don’t have time or resources. You follow up and introduce the organization to your friend who can code well and is looking to volunteer! This is a win for you, your friend, and the organization.

Job seekers who show initiative stand out among the pack and are more attractive to employers. If you follow the above steps and show initiative in other ways, your employer knows you will probably behave the same way in your role and bring a lot to the organization. Go do it!

Roger Custer is executive director of America’s Future.

Roger Custer

Roger Custer previously served as Executive Director of America's Future from 2011-2017.