How to Build a Purposeful Network
You’ve had it. It’s time once and for all to take a hard look at your career and get moving!
Then… you take a look at your network. If you’re being honest with yourself, it’s not very good. It’s kind of like goldilocks and the three bears; some are too low-level, some are too high-level, and very few are just right. If this is you, I know you’re asking yourself, “How do I build a network composed of the right people who are doing the work that I want to do?”
This question is especially important if you have a network that isn’t very good or if you’re trying to make a big career change by moving into a new industry or role. If you want to change careers (and honestly, who doesn’t these days?) it’s likely that you don’t have enough people in your network who are going to help you get there.
Upping the importance of your network
So, how do you start traveling in the right circles? The good news is that its way easier than you may think! During my career, I changed industries five times and made 11 major job changes from sales to audit and everything in between. How’d I do it? It wasn’t magic, it was my network.
For those of you already in the Career Winners Circle, you understand when a fundamental shift in thinking happens and you become the CEO of your career. You go from treating your network as an afterthought to treating it like a blood source. It is the fuel that keeps your career alive. When you have this shift in thinking, you start to intentionally build your network versus picking people up along the way.
Let’s face it, most of our networks are made up of people we pick up along the way. We hang onto the good ones, get rid of the schmucks, and move on with our busy lives. We then wonder why our network isn’t there to serve us when we need it most. I want you to think about building a community with purpose and intention, one that is designed to help you make the impact that you want and have the influence that you need to reach your career goals.
Steps to improve your network
When you change your mindset and build a purposeful network, amazing things will happen for you. Here are two ways on how you do just that:
Step 1: create a strong plan. When you do this, you’ll know exactly what you’ll need from your network to get you where you want to go. When a lack of useful people in your community creates holes in your network, work to fill them in by joining virtual communities where these people are hanging out. Pay attention to what’s being said and become part of the conversation.
Step 2: leverage the power of LinkedIn and ask your first-level connections to start introducing you to those level two and level three people that you need. The important thing to remember is that you need to make networking a lifestyle, not a project. I hate to tell you, but networking does not have an end. It’s something that you will need to uphold to sustain your career. And, as the CEO of your career, you should be able to do so. When your network sucks and you’re pivoting to a completely different role, it’s normal to feel like you don’t have anything to work with.
If you don’t have a rock star network that is going to take you where you want to go, I have a challenge for you. I’m hosting a challenge called 5 Days to Shift Your Career Into High Gear, with one of the days focusing on how to build the rock-star network that you need. You’re not going to want to miss this!
Click this link to get on the waiting list for the challenge we have starting in January. I am looking forward to seeing you in the career winners circle.
Get started today!
Book your free 20 minutes strategy session with Tammy by clicking the button below.
Keep Learning
Find more remote job hunting strategies over on our YouTube Channel.
Tammy Alvarez is a visionary who catalyzes leaders to level up their performance for themselves and their businesses. Her spirited “Break all the Rules” approach blends decades of C-Suite experience on Wall Street with a pragmatic, results-based coaching style that helps business professionals create a big impact and love every Monday morning again.
About The Author
Tammy Alvarez is the CEO and Founder of the Career Winners Circle. A coaching firm that helps ambitious leaders in financial services and STEM industries rebuild vibrant careers without compromise, land new roles in 4-5 months, earn 20% more on average, and never hate Mondays again. Tammy has started the #RemoteCareerRevolution so every knowledge worker can have a voice and benefit from gaining access to the tools and resources they need so they can have a vibrant career and lifestyle. Click here to learn more about the Remote Career Revolution.
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