Best Practice: Networking Strategies to Land your Next Awesome Job

As a career Interim CEO/Executive Director for nonprofits, I have a new job every year! Leaders in the field (and their friends) often ask me for advice as they conduct their own leadership transitions. Here is some of the best job search advice others have shared with me and strategies I use to land my next awesome job.

Know what you want to do and articulate it well.

Refine your elevator pitch and be able to tell people what you offer in 60 seconds. Be able to articulate the roles you are looking for, the work and projects that make your heart sing, and the issue areas that most resonate with you. Also know your ideal organizational size and salary requirements. This makes it easy for colleagues to picture you in a position that matches your goals and strengths.

Apply for senior-level roles through executive search firms.

Most C-suite roles are filled through executive search firms. Even if it’s not a perfect fit, consider applying for open roles that are at least close to what you’d like to do so you build a relationship with the search firm and are added to their candidate pool. See my previous LinkedIn article for a list of search firms that conduct searches for executive roles in New York City-based nonprofit . ?

Attend Events with Decision Makers in Your Field

When I was a first-time Interim Executive Director (ED) looking for my next opportunity, a veteran Interim ED passed along this excellent advice. He mentioned he was attending a going-away party for an Executive Director that night. He didn’t know the ED, and he didn’t even really feel like going. But he was going to go just the same and make all the connections he could. Get out there and mingle!

Keep in Touch

Keep your email contact list updated and use it. Save information of new contacts and give them a contact label (i.e. CEOs/EDs, Board Members, Nonprofit Consultants, etc.). I send periodic updates, such as when I have a new Interim CEO/ED gig, am adding a new consulting service, or have launched a new project such as my website ). I also sincerely enjoy sending holidays cards. The absolute best part is receiving responses from colleagues and friends in the field, especially those who I haven’t had the opportunity to see during the year.

Leverage LinkedIn

Post. Then post some more. Like your colleagues’ posts, tag them in yours, and engage with them. Share interesting articles that are related to your field. Highlight your successes (and even sometimes your challenges). Share content that speaks to your values. Let your networks know what you offer and your professional goals. Last, write and post LinkedIn articles addressing questions people ask you often. (Pssst… that’s what I’m doing right now with this article!)

Identify Which Strategies Feed Your Energy

Some of these strategies will resonate more or less with you based on personal preferences. For instance, I've been leaning into attending events. It fills my cup to reunite with colleagues whose company I enjoy and to meet new people in person. However, I've found that having a virtual meeting for networking purposes (especially with someone I haven't met yet) can feel a bit transactional and often drains my energy, so I've cut down on those.

The overarching key is to get on – and stay on – the radars of decision makers who could hire or recommend you for a job. Grow and cultivate your network by leveraging multiple touchpoints. When an opportunity arises for which you could be a good fit, you will be top of mind.

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