From Network to New Opportunity: A Journey of Gratitude and Growth | Insider Tips for Career Transitions

A thank you to my network and some advice for those seeking their next role. While it’s not news that there is power in your network for finding your next career move I wanted to share my recent experience and perhaps in it, there is some advice that may work for others.

First, I’ve always valued but also curated my network. I connect with people I know and trust, people I’ve enjoyed working with or respected, or people who have been a part of conversations, posts, conferences, or written books where I felt there were future conversations between us that could be had or perhaps just their work that I would want to follow. While I can’t say this is a better path than simply connecting with anyone, I found value in this approach because when the time came for me to lean on my network, I was immediately contacted by folks who sincerely wanted to help and/or work with me again. I wasn’t flooded by recruiters, not that I’m not connected with any but that I’m only connected with the ones I know and trust.?

Second, surround yourself with positive people. We all have friends, family, and professional connections with folks who may be glass half empty, but when you looking for your next career move, surround yourself with the half-full folks. With every career shift I’ve ever made, even the ones I didn’t intend to make or were forced into, they were always for the better. So when you find yourself in this position, immediately put yourself in a positive, excited attitude and emote that with every person who reaches out to you, as they too want a positive next step for you.?

Third, stay engaged with those who offer help. I posted being open to work immediately, perhaps before I got off the phone with HR. What came next was an outpour from my network wanting to help. But don’t just say thank you and leave it at that. Engage with those folks, share what you're looking for, and share the companies you are applying to, if they have something for you don’t wait for them but ask to set up a phone call. Remember these folks all have jobs and are busy, so feel free to reach out if you don’t hear from them.?

Fourth, don’t forget about your local network. While everything above is about your virtual network, professional groups, and associations, you should also have local networks and professional groups you are a part of, if not search for some and join them. When you’re looking for your next role be your salesman. Find out what events are happening, sign up, and go. Reach out to contacts to see who wants to have coffee or lunch. My calendar was fuller searching for my next role than when I was working at my last.?

And finally, embrace and be open to change. A mentor advised me to write my Unique Value Proposition (Your Stories + Your Themes + Your Unusual Combo = Your Unique Value Proposition). It’s not only a great exercise, it's great to revisit this often as it will change over time. It also will help you see that with every next step, there are new stories, new themes, new skills, or experiences you could only have gotten at that company, that may change what you do next. Ultimately no experience is a wasted experience, they all add up to your unique value proposition that will help define where you will shine next.?

To close, I could have flooded this post name-dropping, and while I didn’t do that you all know who you are. Thank you to those who reached out. Thank you to those who gave positive encouragement. Thank you to those who helped make connections. Thank you to those who had coffee or lunch with me. Thank you to those who set up interviews. Thank you, mentors. Thank you referrals.?