by Sunny Simon
It was an exciting week for two of my peers, both received calls “out of the blue” alerting them to exciting job opportunities. Coincidentally neither one was in an active job search. I chuckle and wear my secret grin when we think the gods of serendipity randomly smile on us sending good karma our way. In reality, interesting prospects rarely have anything to do with chance. My explanation is anchored in this quote attributed to Thomas Jefferson. “I am a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.”
I would bet money the two individuals experiencing good fortune earned it. They both employ solid networking strategies in person and online. To prove my point I did a quick search on LinkedIn the “go-to” social networking business platform. My research revealed both have completed profiles, a significant number of connections and some impressive recommendations. Additionally, these ladies understand networking is about sincere reciprocity. Posted on each individual’s profile were numerous recommendations they wrote for others. It is important to mention if I were to call either one of them for help I would get their immediate assistance.
Feeling envious and thinking you want to attract these kismet opportunities? Begin by developing a network composed of people who know and trust you. Building a network is by no means a solitary event. Savvy business people treat networking as a life-long journey. Think of it as a courting process. The initial “connection” is like a first date; a time set aside to meet and get to know an individual. As the courtship continues you develop a friendship, a sense of trust and arrive at the point where you can ask for assistance, required information, an introduction to someone outside of your network, etc. Always be sensitive to the needs of others. Who in your circle is in a job search? How can you help? Whose business can you refer to your friends?
Expanding your network is a continual process. Keep the momentum going by attending both live and online networking events whenever possible. Check-in with social networks such as LinkedIn often. You can correspond with others by reaching out with a quick email or forwarding a link to an interesting article. Warning: do not get overly comfortable with online relationships. Pick up the phone from time to time or arrange a lunch or coffee date. Keep your connections fresh and your outreach flowing and don’t be surprised when a bolt out of the blue strikes you.
Sunny Simon is the owner of Raise the Bar High Life and Career Coaching. More about Sunny at www.raisethebarhigh.com
