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Continuing on from the article in The McDermott &
Bull Recruiter, Issue 7, “Building a Network That
Will Serve You For Life”, in this article we will
address how to use your network to help you find
your next opportunity. You have now built a network
of solid relationships that can aid you in finding
that next opportunity, but does your network know
how they can be helping you? Having a network is not
enough; it’s what you do with your network that will
determine how effective it will be in leading you to
your next opportunity. This article will address how
to use your network to get introductions into target
companies, how to expand your network through your
network, and how to communicate effectively while
continuing to strengthen your relationships.
People that you have built relationships with want
to help you. They just don’t always know how, nor do
they have the time to think about how. Therefore, if
you want help from them, you must tell them exactly
how they can be helping. Get specific with your
network by developing a list of target companies
that you can either e-mail to or talk about with
people in your network. Chances are that many will
be able to provide you with a contact at one of the
companies, valuable insight into a company or a
suggestion on other companies that you should add to
your list. Do the homework for your network. By
creating this list you aren’t just asking your
network to keep you in mind for opportunities that
they hear of, you are expanding your network through
theirs.
Many fear that having a target list will limit their
network to helping them only in those specific
companies. Your list doesn’t have to just include
target companies. It could also include companies
that you know are currently hiring for your position
or a list of service providers who you feel could
introduce you to your next opportunity. For example,
if you think that in your next opportunity you would
like to work for a start-up company, then you should
be building your contacts in the VC community. Build
a list of VC’s with whom you would like to start
networking and ask your network for contacts into
those specific firms. Again, the point of building a
target list is to help your network help you.
When communicating with your network, have a message
that is clear and precise. A common mistake with
senior executives is that they have built skills in
several functional areas and try to market
themselves as an expert in all of them. For example,
telling your network that you are looking for a CEO
role, but would also consider a VP of Marketing, VP
of Business Development or COO roles could be
confusing. The more specific you are with your
network, the more they will be able to help you.
Know your strengths as well as your goals of what
the next position looks like and create a clear
message.
Finally, create a plan for how you will continue to
communicate with your network. This plan will serve
you not only while you are in transition but also
when you are employed and faced with the challenge
of balancing work and relationships. Have a touch
strategy for how often you would like to communicate
with your network. Whether it is through personal
meetings, by e-mail or over the phone, staying top
of mind with your network is always important. With
every touch, look for ways that you can help those
that are helping you. Networking is a two way
street. If one party is constantly taking from the
relationship and not giving back the connection will
not last. Nurture your relationships.
The people in your network that you have built
lasting relationships with want to help you reach
your business and career goals. Make sure that your
communication strategy is empowering them to do just
that. |
