What do you do if you're transitioning careers and need to build a new professional network?

Take your time. There will be expectations, but you don't need to start running. Take time to build your knowledge base. You will stumble upon questions every now and then, write them down and later connect with someone who can answer them for you. Apart from mentorship and insights, connect with people who can share relevant resources with you. Basis your initial understanding, share your ideas with people in your network. See if it had been implemented by someone, if not, what was the challenge. Invest time in these relationships, do not make them only transactional.

Start by listing at least 10 contacts that can support you in this transition. This support can be 1)mentorship from those who know you best or those who have recently made career changes and can give you perspective on what to expect 2)contacts in the field that you want to move into to that can help source opportunities or counsel you on the best options 3)people you may not know but that you want to connect with (LinkedIn is a great way) that can provide guidance

Transitioning careers can seem scary/uncomfortable, but try to see it as an opportunity to learn/work on something new/different and build new connections. Leverage your existing network, colleagues, and friends who can introduce you to industry people and guide you. Online platforms such as LinkedIn help build visibility. So update your profile, talk about your aspirations, look for relevant groups to join, and search for people willing to mentor and in the field you wish to be in. Focus on building genuine relationships, not just increasing your connections.

Too many of the senior professionals I work hate networking! I learnt my networking craft at @BNI whose ethos of 'Givers Gain' transformed my networking style. I always start with 'What can I offer or give?' as I consider my engagement in networking. The simplest offer is to make the conversation all about them. A conversation about them is mainly about listening and understanding. To support the new world my clients want to enter, they need to identify what they can give: is it knowledge, experience, skills, insight, wisdom, connections or empathy, challenge, fun? You must develop multiple touches with the person you choose to draw into your network. Each should be about offering and giving value. Build permission to ask for help!

A valuable advice I was given by my mentor when I started my career in @dalecarnegie was “Make sure your reputation walks through the door before you do”. The positioning and profiling on platforms such as LinkedIn is not a one off post - it is built all throughout!!! So building our CV or online persona is a lifelong activity!

I did this about 2 years ago and just started talking to people, all people, not just those connected to my new career. It was amazing how many folks had connections, friends, etc. in my new field and could help me expand my reach. Join network groups too!

Start by deeply understanding who you are, look at your career journey, be clear about your unique strengths and the value you can offer. This will empower you to confidently network even amidst uncertainty about your destination.

One of the most important components of your profile is your headline. It accompanies every post and comment you make. So take the time to craft your "elevator speech" that clearly states who you are and what you excel at doing.

Online Platforms: Update your LinkedIn profile with your new career objectives, skills, and experiences. Ensure your profile is complete and reflects your current aspirations. Resume/CV: Tailor your resume or CV to highlight relevant experiences and skills for your new career path. Focus on transferrable skills and accomplishments. Networking Bios: Prepare short, engaging bios for networking events or online profiles that succinctly describe your background, career transition, and goals.

Schedule 5-10 minutes each day to react to your connection's posts and add insightful comments. Make a consistent plan to share an industry-relevant resource once a week. A little time and effort each day can go a long way.

LinkedIn: Join relevant groups and follow influencers in your new field. Engage in discussions, share relevant articles, and connect with professionals who share similar interests or are influential in your target industry. Twitter/Professional Forums: Participate in Twitter chats, forums, and other online communities related to your new career. Share insights, ask questions, and build relationships with industry peers. Blogging/Content Creation: Start a blog or contribute articles to platforms relevant to your new career. Sharing your insights and experiences can help establish your expertise and attract connections.

Groups & influencers: Follow groups, companies, influencers related to your new field; this will help you become and stay current on topics, and will get you recommendations for free webinars where you can learn new information quickly as well. Comments & shares: If it adds to the discussion and is aligned with the image you want to project, comment, react, or share posts for your network or select connections / groups. Overall -> as you meet people on LinkedIn, look at their profiles, think about how you might be able to help them. Send a quick message or introduce them to someone if you think that might help them. This sets you apart.

Bring value to others, make sure you are read thoughtfully other peoples perspectives and have fun. Following people that are already relevant in that area is a good thing for you to do.

Engage actively in online communities and forums relevant to your target industry. Participate in discussions, share valuable insights, and ask thoughtful questions to establish your presence and expertise. Connect with professionals in your new field and seek informational interviews or mentorship opportunities to expand your network and gain industry insights.

Conferences/Workshops: Look for conferences, workshops, and seminars related to your new career. Attend sessions, participate in networking breaks, and don't hesitate to introduce yourself to fellow attendees. Meetups/Networking Events: Join industry-specific meetups or networking events in your area. These gatherings provide excellent opportunities to meet professionals in your field and expand your network. Webinars/Virtual Events: In the age of remote work, many events are now conducted online. Participate in webinars, virtual conferences, and online networking sessions to connect with professionals from around the world.

Attend industry-specific events such as conferences, workshops, and seminars related to your new career path. Network with professionals, participate in panel discussions or workshops, and exchange contact information with like-minded individuals. Stay updated on upcoming events and leverage them as opportunities to expand your professional network in your desired field.

Attending events in person can be a game-changer when it comes to building professional relationships. Whether it's industry conferences, workshops, or meetups, these events offer valuable opportunities to connect face-to-face with peers and leaders in your field. Set clear goals for each event you attend, whether it's to learn, network, or seek out specific contacts. Remember to be authentic in your interactions and follow up afterward with personalized messages to solidify those connections. Here's to meaningful networking and future collaborations!

Engage in volunteer work within your target industry or related organisations. Offer your skills and expertise to contribute meaningfully to projects or initiatives. Volunteering not only allows you to gain experience and network with professionals in the field but also demonstrates your commitment and passion for your new career path.

Engaging in volunteer work related to your new career field is not just about giving back; it's also an excellent way to expand your professional network. By offering your skills to relevant organizations or projects, you not only demonstrate your commitment but also have the opportunity to collaborate with professionals who share your interests. These experiences can lead to meaningful connections and recommendations that can propel your career transition forward. Plus, it's a rewarding way to make a positive impact while building valuable relationships.

For me it’s about being a better person by being a supportive coach. Take care not to steam roll your workmates checking on their growth and progress. Listen to their cues when the students are ready then the teacher can appear.

Foster relationships with professionals in your new field by reaching out for informational interviews or coffee meetings. Be genuine, express interest in their work, and seek advice or insights. Follow up with gratitude and maintain regular communication to nurture these connections over time. Building strong relationships is key to expanding your network effectively.

Build your identity in your natural market. Touch base with everyone you know and make sure they know exactly what you do. Ask for introductions specifically with the type of client you do your best work with.

It is 100% proven that fostering relationships works best. I have been fostering meaningful relationships with people from the industries in which I am interested or the areas in which I want to work next. It has helped me immensely so far, and now I have a strong network of people backing me up. However, it is a two-way street. I always try to add value by suggesting a helping hand or doing volunteer work for them to create and maintain those meaningful relationships.

In today's organisational landscape and wider society, two critical challenges loom large: the erosion of trust and the imperative to adapt our current work approaches to address the evolving needs of organisations and communities facing complexity and uncertainty. Recent research underscores a shift in focus from the conventional pillars of judgment and dependability towards relational trust as the linchpin of effective trust. At the heart of relational trust lies the concept of mutuality, a way of building strong relationships. To achieve this find points of mutuality with the new relationships, and in no time at all these relationships becomes trusting! It is a fast way to integrate yourself into a new network and eventually lead it

Are you transitioning careers? Here's how to build a new professional network for success! Identify Your Target: Determine the industry, role, or community you want to connect with and tailor your networking efforts accordingly. Utilize Online Platforms: Leverage LinkedIn, professional networking groups, and industry events to connect with like-minded professionals and expand your network. Attend Networking Events: Attend industry conferences, seminars, and workshops to meet new people and establish meaningful connections. Building a new professional network while transitioning careers can be challenging, but with a strategic approach, you can expand your network and open up new career opportunities.

We are governed by our worldviews and biases. The worldview is our collective understanding as to how the world works. I am a humanist. I fundamentally believe in the ability of humans to rise to any challenge. What is your worldview? This worldview filters the information you process (conformation bias). I become unaware of views that do not support my worldview. So my brain limits the information that is available. This then creates biases. Ask the question what do I bias towards and what do I bias away from? These are great questions to open your worldview to other voices and views. To support this journey you need to start a reflective journal, to anchor your insights and to demonstrate that your worldview is opening up.

One thing that is paramount to accept is that it WILL TAKE SOME TIME. After all , we unwittingly create a certain impression on others with whatever we have already been presenting ourselves as. In fact when I saw this article inviting my perspective I was almost stunned cos it's probably something that I am dealing with first hand right now. I am a multi biz entrepreneur who is trying to talk about and generate quality leads for my 3 businesses and trying to build my CSR at the same time. The bigger complexity- the verticals are like chalk and cheese. So I gave first worked on my mindset to be ok with people wondering to a great extent and be consistent with my varied communications but by establishing clear contexts in each. Let's see...

Planning strategic networking is a key step in any career transition coaching. I invite coachees to start with their existing network and encourage them to talk a lot about where they are transitioning, both online and offline, in order to engage their existing network in identifying new, meaningful contacts. Someone always knows someone and most people are happy to connect trusted contacts. Once you have a list of potential people to talk to, prioritize them according to their strategy value to your new professional field. Then gain some practice by reaching out to 2-3 new contacts with low priority before engaging with the high priority contacts. Lastly, remember investing in and listening to new contacts before asking favors!

Building a system that helps you consistently reach your goals is what will allow you to continuously assess if you are on the right track when it comes to expanding and growing your network.