What Connections Are You Creating?

What Connections Are You Intentionally Creating?

When was the last time you had a professional networking conversation?

No matter where you are on your career journey – managing through a recent job loss; navigating a career pivot; or pondering a “what’s next” pathway - if professional networking is not a regular practice, you are missing out on, what could be, the most enlightening and effective part of your career transition experience.

Meeting and connecting with other professionals who may have traveled a similar path; shared a similar experience; or blazed an unknown trail can offer valuable guidance, lessons learned, and meaningful insights to help you find your way through the present and create your future with greater clarity, confidence and conviction.  

Networking allows you to learn more about the pathways of others in roles you aspire to attain; experiences and connections in companies you admire; and industries you would like to explore.  Discovering places and spaces that align with your mission and purpose, core values and beliefs helps to further inform the choices you make and the forward actions you take that best serve you in the moment in which you are living.

No amount of technology can replace the benefits derived from making a human connection. Simply submitting your resume (assuming you did everything needed to get past the Application Tracking System) is a passive attempt, at best, to be considered the next best candidate for whatever opportunity you seek, particularly if you are a mid-to-senior level leader.

When you allow someone to experience your “essence” – the unique qualities, attributes and spirit that distinguishes you from others – you have the opportunity to create a more meaningful and lasting impression that will keep you top of mind for when that next best fit role becomes available.

So, what connections will you intentionally create in the coming weeks? Influence your career transition energy, improve your holistic well-being and overall life satisfaction by creating more human connections and watch the small investment of time pay big dividends toward your long-term career growth.