What are the most effective ways for a nurse to network when seeking a career change?

1 Identify your goals and target audience

Before you start networking, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and who you want to connect with. Do you want to switch to a different specialty, work in a different sector, or pursue higher education? Do you want to find mentors, peers, or potential employers? Depending on your goals, you will need to tailor your networking strategy and message accordingly. For example, if you want to work in public health, you might want to join relevant associations, attend events, and reach out to experts in that field.

2 Update your resume and online profile

Another important step for networking is to update your resume and online profile with your current skills, achievements, and interests. You want to make sure that your resume and profile reflect your career aspirations and highlight your value proposition. You also want to optimize them for keywords and readability, so that they can attract the attention of recruiters and hiring managers. A good way to do this is to use a resume builder or a profile review service that can help you create professional and effective documents.

3 Use multiple channels and platforms

Networking is not limited to one method or medium. You can use multiple channels and platforms to expand your network and reach out to different people. For example, you can use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook to follow, comment, and share relevant content, as well as join groups and communities related to your interests. You can also use email, phone, or video calls to initiate or maintain contact with your connections. Additionally, you can use online or offline events, such as webinars, workshops, conferences, or meetups, to meet new people and exchange ideas.

4 Be proactive and genuine

Networking is not a one-time activity or a transaction. It is a long-term process that requires proactivity and genuineness. You need to be proactive in reaching out to people, following up, and providing value. You also need to be genuine in expressing your interest, appreciation, and feedback. You don't want to be seen as spammy, pushy, or self-serving. Instead, you want to be seen as helpful, curious, and respectful. A good way to do this is to ask open-ended questions, offer assistance, and share relevant information.

5 Seek feedback and referrals

One of the benefits of networking is that you can get feedback and referrals from your connections. Feedback can help you improve your skills, resume, or interview performance. Referrals can help you access hidden opportunities, get recommendations, or bypass the application process. However, you need to be careful and respectful when asking for feedback or referrals. You don't want to ask too soon, too often, or too much. You also want to make sure that you have established rapport and trust with your connection before making any requests.

6 Keep learning and growing

Finally, networking is not only about finding a new career, but also about learning and growing as a professional. Networking can help you discover new trends, insights, and resources that can enhance your knowledge and skills. It can also help you develop new relationships, perspectives, and opportunities that can enrich your career journey. Therefore, you should keep learning and growing from your network, as well as contribute to it. You can do this by taking courses, reading books, listening to podcasts, or writing articles related to your field.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?