Hey you! It’s your friendly neighborhood running recruiter, back with another blog post about the intersection of running and career development. Recently, I was out on a run with my usual Thursday run group, and I got to chatting with someone about what they do for work. As I shared my own career path, it hit me: how many business deals or job opportunities happen on a run?

Networking is often overlooked, but it’s one of the most effective ways to find your next job, especially if you are looking to pivot in your career. It’s all about building relationships with people in your industry, and it can lead to all sorts of opportunities, from informational interviews to job offers.

Imagine this: you wake up late for your big race. No time for coffee, barely enough time to lace up your shoes. You’re at the starting line, heart pounding, muscles tight, and you launch into a full sprint. How do you think that’s going to go? Probably not great, right? You’re setting yourself up for injury, exhaustion, and a less-than-stellar performance.

Now, picture this: you roll out of bed, throw on your interview suit (wrinkled, because you forgot to iron it), and log into your Zoom call. No time to review your notes, no time to gather your thoughts. You’re thrown into the deep end, trying to answer tough questions while your brain is still in sleep mode. Spoiler alert: that interview is going to feel like a marathon you’re running without training.