Establishing Connections That Matter – Why Your Network Matters
Shane Baldacchino
Director Of Cloud & Platforms @ V2 Digital | Ex-Microsoft Chief Arch | Ex-AWS | Ex-SEEK - Technologist, Builder, Leader, Author, Keynote Speaker, Storyteller & Big Nerd - 6x AWS Cert + 9x Azure Cert
A bit off-topic from my usual posts, and hence it's not on my blog. Whilst I am usually talking about flipping bits, we can often forget the people side of this business.
How can you build a career in tech that is more than just a sentence or a paragraph? - Peter 'Dr Pete' Stanski
How strong is your network? I am approaching 25 years in the tech industry (the grey hairs are coming) and the feeling/vibe I get today is unlike any other time. In the ever-evolving landscape of big tech where a lot of downsizing has taken place (you could argue it's more of a right sizing exercise) the job market has become fiercely competitive, particularly towards the upper end.
In my personal circle, two friends (both lost roles from Tesla & Slack in GM / VP roles) took time to find those next roles. They say pictures speak 1000 words, and I can't seem to find a better way to describe 2019 to 2024 than this reel
It’s your network that counts in these harder times when it’s not as simple as fishing in a fish farm. Whilst I am yet to announce where I am soon to land, it was my network that opened doors. Colleagues from Amazon, Microsoft and people at Google, SEEK‘ies and all the other companies I have interacted with. The impressions you leave matter, regardless of if you are dealing with developers to CxOs, they all matter.
Those chance encounters are where you build your network. From the co-workers you forge relationships with, to the battle scars formed keeping a production website online at 3am. These are the relationships that matter.
In 2022, I met Josh Hill at a pub where I was speaking on the side lines of NDC and whilst I knew of Josh on LinkedIn, it was good to see his brand in person.
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Some time passed and towards the end of last year, after speaking with various CTO / GM peers, I made the mental decision to move on, and I reached out to Josh. Over the next 3–6 months we caught up numerous in times in person, both in Melbourne and Sydney assessing the market and a viable path forward (sit tight for a while was his honest response).
I am writing this post to pass on advice, but primarily to give a shout-out to Josh and his good behaviours, because the reality is Josh has probably spent 20–30 hours helping me without a gain. In this world of fast qualification, transactional relationships and short term goals, it's refreshing to have people like Josh spend time fostering and building relationships.
We need Josh's of the world to set the bar high. It's a long game. Can you play this game? If I need to hire for my team in the future, who will I call? Who will I recommend?
For those early in your career reading this, build those relationships, be selfless, vocal and give back, because you never know where you will end up.
Do the right thing to help out, go the extra yard, because it's your brand, and you are in control.
Shane Baldacchino
Director & Founder of UCentric | MBA Qualified, International Recruitment Leader, Advisor, Board Member
8 个月This is a great message Shane. I also appreciate you giving your recruiter a shout out. They’re crucial connections to have in your career.
Data & AI | ex: Google, Amazon | MBA (AGSM) | Technologist & Strategic Foresight | Early stage startup investment
8 个月Nice writeup. Best of luck Shane! Universe return back the good deeds, will continue to do so :). Its just we couldnt decipher (yet) all the dimensions of the equation of universe.
Thought Leader | Business Builder | Chief Technologist (CTO) | Ex-Amazon, Ex-Microsoft | ~20K+ Connections
8 个月Thanks for the call out Shane Baldacchino on my old phrases like the careers ones... "How can you build a career in tech that is more than just a sentence or a paragraph?"... and to remind our old friends and new ones, that it is not just the sentence, the paragraph or the chapter in your career book that you need to think about. Get out of the local maximum, and think about the role you want to play in the global maximum. The tech world is way too small so think BIG! ??
Chief Technology Officer at LAB3 | HashiCorp Ambassador | MAICD
8 个月Love this Shane Baldacchino! Great switch up, and best of luck with what comes next. Also, well done Josh Hill, people and purpose are two words I love by and nice to see someone in the recruitment field who shares this passion.
Executive Technology Recruiter - Startup Advisor & Career Consultant
8 个月Shane Baldacchino thank you for the kind words and shout out. It was my pleasure to play a small part in your journey. It’s a two way street, I’ve always enjoyed our catch ups I look forward to more of them and I’m super excited to see your continued success in your new venture!