Transition Tip: Networking

Are you on LinkedIn?

Of course you are...because you're reading this. But chances are, you're using it wrong.

Most military people I know who are on LinkedIn treat it as a source of professional news/intel and less as a social networking platform. In the near term, it doesn't matter. But...in the long term, the difference is HUGE.

WHY

Ask enough successful people, and one thing starts to resonate: The best opportunities are ones that find you...not the other way around. Unlike a resume or bio, networking relies on reputation...and reputations are built over time with your proof of value; your digital footprint is a critical part of that. Networking is how to build and communicate your professional reputation (aka your brand).

THE PROBLEM

Professional networks aren't built overnight and people generally think about it WAY too late in the game. Don't do that.

Basic math: Most military transition advice recommends starting building your plan 1-3 years before your anticipated separation or retirement...but it takes ~3-4 YEARS to build a solid professional network that is useful enough to start reaping benefits.

[personal note: I have been on LinkedIn for 8 years, thanks to a chance encounter with a retired military acquaintance at a conference who chastised me for not having an account.]

HOW TO DO IT

As the saying goes,?the best time to plant a tree was 30 years ago...and the second best time to plant a tree is now. Here's how to do it.

1. START WITH YOUR PEERS: Look up and connect with your co-workers, teammates, and friends who operate in your professional niche. Then, view their profile and look at the "people also viewed" section (right side on desktop/bottom on mobile). The ones that have "2nd" after their name are second-order contacts. Connect with them. After you've done this enough, if you click on "My Network" (top on desktop) you can see people who share your background (employment, school, etc.). Start connecting with them too.
2. DO SOMETHING: Now that you have an audience, start interacting with them. The three ways to do this: 1) post content, 2) share content someone else posted, and 3) reply to content from your new connections. Most people dip their toes in the water replying to content, that's fine. But eventually, you'll need to do elements of all three. Notice I did not say "liking content." While technically it's doing something, it does almost nothing for networking. I consider this filler in between the 3 ways mentioned above.
3. FIND TIME: "Be active" goes without saying. Here's the best way to do it: Post, share, or comment at least 3 times per week. I throw a recurring calendar reminder to myself, just in case LinkedIn falls out of my crosscheck. For obvious reasons, the worst times to post on LinkedIn are generally weekends, Monday mornings, and Friday afternoons. For those same obvious reasons, the best times to post are Tue/Wed/Thurs in the late morning through early afternoon.
4. BE VALUE-ADDED: There's a term in business called "value destructive." Don't do that on LinkedIn (remember what I said about reputation?). Save the politics, memes, and cat photos for another social media platform. The same goes for anything ad hominem--be engaging about topics (professional), not the individual (personal). You can still be contrarian without being unprofessional.
5. BE YOURSELF: So.....what do you have to offer your professional network? PLENTY! There are 8 billion people walking this planet, but only one of you. No one else has the same set of experiences, education, and insights you have. That's your value proposition.
6. RESULTS: Where to start? Think about your value....then work your way back up the list I just laid out. Be value-added, find time, do something, and start with your peers. Be persistent, and it will start paying off. You'll know it's working when you start seeing people connecting with you--not the other way around!

CONCLUSION

Leverage your network smartly and treat it like a plant--always try to give more than you take. When the time is right, and you're ready to tell the world you're looking for work, your network will be ready with support, tips....and unadvertised opportunities!

The irony of writing an entire Transition Tip about getting on LinkedIn...on LinkedIn...is not lost on me.

This is partly why I wrote this as an article, not a post. Copy the webpage URL and share it with those who may need it.