How can you use Business Networking to change careers?

In my experience while networking with prospected peers keep open mind. Don't just try to connect with people with whom you feel comfortable for example: if you are from a particular industry and in technical department, you surly can go well along with technical peers and try to avoid sales or other domain representatives. But it may limit your connection diversity. It good to have diverse connection from various domains, it helps you to understand thing from different perspective than you own. So when in an event or gathering open for networking try to get support of your peers to get introduced to their peers from different vertical or domain.

My so-called career choices were literally not well thought out; they just sort of happened! An ad in a Sunday Boston newspaper 30 years ago from Fred Pryor Seminars got me started on international corporate training. I spent nearly 5 years with them, then decided to start my own company in the same field. I loved everything about it, so when a friend asked me to help her with her book and make sure the grammar was correct, I said, "Sure!" and thought little more about it. A year later, she asked me to edit her second book as I had done previously. Wait. What? Edit? I thought I was just helping a friend, but that one word opened up a whole new area that I hadn't considered, but that I love, that fits me perfectly.

Networking is about building relationships, not just collecting contacts. Approach it authentically, and you’ll increase your chances of successfully transitioning to a new career. 💥You need to start by understanding your strengths, passions, and the direction you want to go. This clarity will guide your networking efforts. 🚀

I made a career transition 5 years ago and it all started by reaching out to my connections on LinkedIN who were doing similar work 5, 10, 20 years longer than me to learn what had worked and what hadn’t worked for them. It was by launching a business & seeing various paths that made me realize I wanted to do something completely different. By networking with professionals in various fields and meeting with a career coach, I was able to identify the right change for me.

It is important to have a clear idea of the career path you want to take, but it is also important to be open to other paths along the way thag could make you more suitable for your end career goal.

Keep your profile updated is crucial. But it’s also important to Google yourself and see what’s out there on you! Your online presence and digital footprint takes time to build, however can be destroyed in the click of a post or a rogue article that you didn’t realise is out there.

If you’re not 'visible' you‘re 'invisible', these days. Your personal brand depends on having a good online presence. Make sure your LinkedIn is up to date and optimised. If you have a website, makes sure it looks modern and is easy to use. We have this idea that you have to have everything 'ready' to change direction, but in reality you don't. If you know enough, can get a few endorsements and present yourself in a professional way, start moving in that direction!

If you do not have an updated LinkedIn and are not regularly networking, you are missing out on the hidden job market that is roles not posted yet.

Building an online presence where people can understand your value is crucial in today environment. It's not about becoming the next influencer or guru, just keep your profiles and pages in order so who is looking for you can get up to date information.

Here are some tips for updating your social media and online presence when wanting to change careers: Update your LinkedIn profile to reflect your desired career change. Outline relevant skills, highlight past experiences that translate, and make sure your summary clearly captures your new career goals. Expand your connections on LinkedIn to include more people working in your target industry. Reach out and explain you are looking to transition careers and ask to connect. Update the bio/description on other social media accounts like Instagram to indicate your intended career pivot where appropriate. The goal is crafting an intentional, strategic online personal brand centered around your career change aspirations.

For online networking look up the major employers in your career choice area. Prepare your own “elevator pitch” of who you are with an explanation of what your career aspirations are including what you bring from your previous profession. Identify others in the roles you aspire to and reach out to connect with them (practice your elevator pitch) and ask how they got started in the industry and if they have any advice.

Knocking “new doors” will open new avenues and bring in new perspectives/ learnings. Focus on continuously expanding your network of interest but also maintain the existing ones so you don’t get in touch with them only when in need. I make it a point to also respond to those who reach out to me and help where I can.

Utilizing business networking for a career change involves prioritizing quality connections over quantity, often best achieved through confidential peer groups or mastermind sessions. These settings provide a secure space for sharing ambitions and challenges, allowing for the exchange of diverse insights and experiences. Such environments foster meaningful relationships that can unlock new opportunities, offer mentorship, and support a seamless transition into a new career. Emphasizing authentic, valuable interactions within your network is key to effectively navigating a career shift.

I don’t have too much to say except for two possible areas that this can be achieved. Firstly, once you have identified the route you would like to shift to, find associations and organisations that specialise in your area of intended movement. This could include organisations that offer continuous professional development in a specific field. Secondly, find a genuine, collaborative network where people and businesses are not trying to sell to each other but rather focus on creating opportunities for each other through collaborations, synergies and referrals.

What's that saying, your network is your net worth? And many of us are definitely working to expand our net worth, right? The best time I spend every week is engaging my network through introductions, new connections, and content sharing. I never look at this as "non money-making activity" either. In fact, I highlight this on my calendar because I know the return is worth the input of my time and talent.

Nurturing relationships is not just about reaching out when you need something. Make a point of being proactive, be in touch to see how things are going, offer help without being asked, support when needed, listen, connect relations to others when you see the chance etc. This builds trust and loyalty and long lasting relationships.

Having a solid network of others that you continue to develop relationships with is key. I recommend networking groups as well as being involved in local chambers and groups that peak your interest. If you have a need for a different job, these are perfect people to reach out to to discuss who they might know in the industry that you’re looking to find a job in. maximizing your network always helps in so many ways

I view my role in the community as a connector, a relationships broker and concierge. I love matching people with things to do, places to eat, business connections, and as an advisor on how they too can make an impact in whatever causes they are passionate about. If you can add value to others and share resources, what goes around, comes around!

While it's never too late to start networking, you gain the most leverage by nurturing relationships before you need them Networking should not just be about what others can do for you. Take a genuine interest in people, understand their aspirations and challenges, and make introductions where you can add value. Help others first without expecting anything immediate in return. If you focus on building real rapport and being a connector, your network will be there when you need it the most.

It's 2023. Everyone's in a hurry and want instant gratification. This only works when it comes to Instagram, not business relationships. It may take years before you have something to offer/ask for help. Patience is key and that means, you put in the effort over time to make sure the person 'Trusts' you, so that when the time comes you can ask for help. Would you really give your time to someone random and stake your reputation on them? No.

These days, the “who” you know can be everything. Respectfully tap into the “who” you know to open the door & then handle the “what” you know to land the job & slam that door shut! Applications are no longer enough. A strong resume is no longer enough. Proven talent, feedback from prior work, etc. are the key these days in this current market. The respectfully part is also key - don’t take it personally if a loose connection won’t go to bat for you. Don’t hound people either, respect boundaries & be positive.

I join specialized groups of talents, inside and outside my current organisation. This helps me reinforce my reputation and learn valuable insights, sharing my own experiences

Reden, reden, reden wenn man was sucht oder braucht. Das ist der einfachste Weg. Oft wird man gefunden und wenn man selbst in der Lage ist zu geben oder andere zu vernetzen, dann darf man ruhig mal aktiv werden. Es macht Spaß und lohnt sich!

I join industry-specific groups, both online and offline. Participating in discussions and contributing valuable insights helps me establish credibility. For example, I share my experiences in managing remote teams, a skill increasingly valuable in various sectors.

L’astuce est de bien connaître les avatars de notre Marketing du Bouche à oreille. Exemple : notre avatar client, nos avatars prescripteurs ou partenaires. Cela nous permet d’être plus précis dans nos demandes si on connaît parfaitement son écosystème de réseautage.

I have found by nuturing relationships from all walks of lifes and careers, plus genuinely wanting to help others. Often years later the fruits of the labor have happened for me personally. When you truly network you want to build relationships that stand the test of time. You never want to hear how you have walked over others to get to where you have climbed. You want to be know as someone who has help others gain great achievements.

Personally I believe certain things don't need to get you an instant ROI. You can invest years in a relationship and never see a real return, especially if you are true at building it. Often "networking" is used just for fast, personal gains, while it should actually be an every day skill where, 90%+ of the times bring you nothing directly/immediate.

Results are often hard to measure, deep bonds are built over time. Being involved and connected with people you enJOY spending time with is the best result!

Actually, I disagree strongly with this. Networking with SMART goals? Review achievements? Really? Networking increases your Social Capital. This means you position yourself in your network to your own personal benefit AND to the benefit of the people in your network. You are a vital part of a "living system" that moves through life organically. I cannot see how this can be measured or expressed in a formal way (SMART goal, ect.). I am afraid, this is KI generated nonsense. Just go with the flow. It might be that you find a job that helps you pay your bills. But it can also well be that you need to help out a friend or community in need. In your network, you really can't plan success in the way it is described.

Evaluating your results is something that many people don’t take the time to do. Not only are your monetary investments in sponsorships valuable but also your time. Don’t under estimate how time spent on a prospect or project can result in wasted dollars. Stop, look back at where your focus has been, and calculate the return. Ask yourself if it’s wise to continue down the same path or if a new course of action is needed.

Este año logré un cambio de carrera que anhelaba desde hace mucho y no encontraba fácil hacerlo. Sin embargo, decidí probar algo distinto esta vez y funcionó: ✨ Tenía mi carrera objetivo identificada, así que el siguiente paso fue trabajar en mi marca personal ✨ Comenzar a conectar con personas creadoras de contenido de valor, saliendo así de mi caparazón ✨ Aumentar mi presencia en línea interactuando con contenido afín a mis objetivos ✨ Comencé a crear contenido de valor desde mi posición, compartiendo experiencias y saberes Todo ello me ayudó, significativamente, a canalizar e incrementar mi presencia en el ámbito deseado y lograr aprovechar la oportunidad de ese cambio de carrera.

Speak about your goals. Everywhere. You never know whos has the key in his network to your goals. You will be surprised how helpsful people are. Enjoy.

Having a solid network of different professionals and business owners allows you to get a foot in the door to many career and pr collaboration opportunities that you can't even imagine.

Finding and connecting people with similar interest can open plenty doors for achieving your aims. Put together your ideas to get a bigger and more colourful picture.

Always start with building genuine relationships. We all have trust in authentic relationships by offering support, sharing insights, and actively listening to others' experiences. I also suggest that you ask for advice, not just for opportunities. This approach is often more well-received and can lead to valuable insights and connections. Finally, you must stay persistent and patient! It takes time to transition careers. So, remain constant, be patient, and consistently build your network to achieve success.