Here's how you can utilize professional relationships to uncover job opportunities as an industrial engineer.

As engineers, we used to think that our technical skills are the most important things. I don’t want to say that it’s wrong but just count networking amongst those tech skills.

Network is a great ally for all professionals at all levels. Getting to know people and professional profiles can shorten some steps and we can also better understand market trends.

In my experience, networking is fundamental, what I learned is that we have to understand that the world is very dynamic, and that's why I know that we always have to be willing to help. Proactivity is gold when we talk about networking.

An important point about networking is that it doesn't last forever. You may be recognized today in a certain subject by people in the same field, but if you don't nurture your contacts, remind them that you are active, in a few years your image will begin to dissolve in people's minds. In addition to establishing new contacts, nurturing a healthy network is essential.

Professional mentoring can be the first step to developing and seeking opportunities, mentoring opens our minds and makes us better professionals. Choosing a mentor is elementary, look for people who initially work with you, or a teacher, remember you will have many mentors throughout your career.

Mentoring is in fashion, and that's precisely why finding someone to guide you is starting to become challenging. The internet is a sea of traps and fake gurus. We need to effectively understand the past of the people we admire and seek guidance from, and understand their real essence beyond beautiful speeches.

Alumni networks are a goldmine for industrial engineers seeking to expand their professional circle. Universities often facilitate these networks, providing a platform for graduates to interact through various events and initiatives. By actively participating and even taking on roles in organizing these gatherings, you can forge stronger connections with industry peers and stay abreast of emerging career opportunities. This proactive approach to alumni engagement is a strategic move for career advancement.

A presence on LinkedIn today is essential to position ourselves professionally in the market, and the discussion groups related to our daily topics are the center of influencers and decision-makers who may be interesting to us. It is easy to find these groups, but being inside is not enough, we need to interact and relate. This is what will generate value.

Life is made of win-win relationships, when we just want to win, we certainly lose, so building professional relationships goes far beyond what we imagine. Generosity is elementary, remember the world of work is dynamic, always help people, regardless of where they are.

We need to collaborate with customers and work partners, help them by showing a real interest in their success, always without expecting anything in return. If we don't expect reciprocity, we don't feel bad when it doesn't arrive (which eventually happens), but in most cases gratitude will be a seed that can bear fruit in the future, directly or indirectly.

There are various job opportunities within industrial engineering space and taping into the benefits of networking can help you get referrals for jobs, which can be a tremendous asset in making an impression on a potential employer. Your connection likely has already established a relationship and trust with influential people within the company, so their recommendation can go a long way! A great way to network is to attend industry events and meetups. This helps you learn more about your field and meet like-minded professionals. Look for events that focus on your interests or skillset, such as conferences, workshops, or networking happy hours