Every week, NETSHARE hosts Ask the Coach, a phone-in coaching session with leading career management experts. Here is an excerpt from this week’s session with career transition coach and career management consultant Randy Block.
A common fear among those who are working is that if they start networking, their bosses will suspect them of “looking.” What if you boss spots you on LinkedIn networking with another company, or even a competitor?
As Randy told callers this week, relax! LinkedIn is the place to be. Everyone is there (or anyone you probably care about). LinkedIn now has more than 100 million members, and only 25 percent are actively looking for a new position. The other 75 million are building their professional network for other purposes, although many are probably passively looking for greener pastures as well. There are a lot of people out there worth connecting to since they, in turn, can connect you to their professional networks and help build your personal network.
Even if you are not actively looking, you need to be nurturing your personal network. Start by reaching out to the first connection. Make yourself known. Once you start each step becomes easier. Just remember that with all your networking activities, be transparent and authentic. You want to build a solid base from which you can build your business network, and that you can tap for new career opportunities in the future, so make sure those in your network know you and your personal brand.
Build your online presence by commenting in the LinkedIn forums. Comment on the blogs, or even start your own blog. Be sure you are branding your expertise in a way that you show you know your stuff, and in a way that will attract the kinds of companies you want to work for. And don’t worry about your boss spotting your online activity. Tell them you are building your professional presence so you can do a more effective job. It’s true, after all. Social media is here to stay, and all professionals are engaging.
If you can, engage in a face-to-face meeting once a week. Check out local meet-ups, meetings of professional associations or the Chamber of Commerce, or meetings of local business groups. Make connections and be social; break the ice and talk about sports, local business conditions, whatever works to forge the connection. Once you connect you can deepen the relationship over lunch or coffee. In turn, your new contacts will Google you, check out your LinkedIn profile, and your blog, and if you have laid the proper foundation, they will understand your personal brand.
Now you aren’t just an e-mail address or a resume or online bio; you are seen as a three-dimensional contact with a unique value proposition. That will be to your advantage when the time comes to change jobs.
