Running Into Success

How Networking can help land you your next job

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?

The Power of Networking

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.

Finding Your Tribe

The first step to networking is finding groups that are right for you. There are all sorts of networking groups out there, from industry-specific organizations to social clubs. Here are a few tips for finding groups that are a good fit:

Think about your interests. What are you passionate about? What industries are you interested in?
Do your research. Look for groups that align with your interests and goals.
Start small. Don’t feel like you have to join every group you come across. Start with one or two and see how you like it.
Be yourself. Don’t try to be someone you’re not. People can tell when you’re being fake, and it’s not going to help you build genuine relationships.

Leveraging Your Network

Once you’ve found a few groups, it’s time to start leveraging your network. Here are a few tips:

Be active. Attend events, participate in discussions, and volunteer your time.
Be helpful. Offer to help others in your network. This could be anything from giving someone career advice to introducing them to someone else in your network.
Ask for help. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from your network. This could be anything from getting advice on your resume to getting an introduction to a potential employer.
Follow up. After you meet someone, be sure to follow up with them. This could be a quick email or a LinkedIn connection.

Networking in Action

Here’s an example of how networking can help you land your next job:

Let’s say you’re interested in working in the tech industry. You join a local tech meetup group. At one of the events, you meet someone who works at a company you’re interested in. You chat with them about their work and ask them for advice on how to break into the industry. They offer to introduce you to a few people at the company.

A few weeks later, you meet with one of the people your new contact introduced you to. They’re impressed with your work and offer you an informational interview. During the interview, you make a great impression and the person offers you a job.

Networking is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes time and effort to build relationships, but it’s worth it. If you’re serious about finding your next job, networking is a must.

Additional Tips

Here are a few additional tips for networking:

Be prepared. Have a clear elevator pitch ready. This is a brief summary of who you are and what you’re looking for.
Be confident. Believe in yourself and your abilities.
Be patient. It takes time to build a strong network. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results immediately.
Have fun! Networking should be enjoyable. If you’re not having fun, you’re not doing it right.

Networking is a powerful tool that can help you achieve your career goals. So get out there and start building your network!

Conclusion

I hope this blog post has given you some helpful tips on how to network your way to your next job. Remember, networking is a marathon, not a sprint. So keep at it, and you’ll eventually reach your goal.

In addition to the tips above, here are a few other things to keep in mind:

Your network is always growing. The people you meet today could be your colleagues or bosses tomorrow.
Networking is a two-way street. Be willing to help others in your network, and they’ll be more likely to help you.
Networking is an ongoing process. Don’t just network when you’re looking for a job. Keep in touch with your network throughout your career.

I’d love to hear from you. What are your favorite networking tips?

Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Happy networking!

-Your Running Recruiter

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