How do you advance your administrative assistant career using your network?

1 Identify your career aspirations

Before you reach out to your network, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve in your career. Do you want to move up the ladder in your current field, or switch to a different industry or function? What skills and qualifications do you need to acquire or improve? What are the challenges and opportunities in your desired role or sector? Having a vision and a plan will help you focus your networking efforts and communicate your value proposition to potential mentors, sponsors, and employers.

2 Build and maintain relationships

Networking is not just about exchanging business cards or sending LinkedIn requests. It is about building and maintaining genuine relationships with people who can support your career development. This means being proactive, respectful, and helpful. You can start by reaching out to your existing contacts, such as colleagues, managers, clients, suppliers, alumni, or friends, and expressing your interest in learning from them or collaborating with them. You can also expand your network by attending events, joining associations, or volunteering for causes related to your field. The key is to be consistent, follow up, and offer value in return.

3 Showcase your skills and achievements

Your network can help you discover new opportunities and get referrals, but you also need to demonstrate your skills and achievements to stand out from the crowd. You can do this by creating a professional portfolio that showcases your work samples, testimonials, awards, or certifications. You can also update your resume and online profiles with relevant keywords, accomplishments, and metrics. Additionally, you can share your insights, opinions, or tips on social media, blogs, or podcasts to establish your credibility and authority in your field.

5 Be flexible and adaptable

Finally, you need to be flexible and adaptable in your career journey. Networking can open many doors for you, but it can also present unexpected twists and turns. You may encounter new trends, technologies, or demands that require you to learn new skills or adapt to new situations. You may also face rejections, setbacks, or changes that challenge your resilience and motivation. You need to be ready to embrace change and seize opportunities as they arise. Your network can help you cope with these changes and support you along the way.