There are many challenges in career networking but the one I hear most is "I have a lot of people in my network, but it's been so long since we've spoken that I'm embarrassed to reach out. I don't want to contact them now that I'm looking for a job. It's too
self-serving."
My answer is that with the right preparation, intention and curious mind, you can do this! You MUST if you want to find opportunities out there!
So the answer to the question is for you to shift your way of thinking and reach out with a different intention. Your new intention is to reconnect, not to ask for a favor. Discover what that colleague or peer is doing in their career now. Prepare
for the call by thinking of a resource or a person you can introduce---before you meet.
Your first action is to reach out with a sincere message that
demonstrates your intention of catching up.
In the past, our clients requested guidance on writing the letters they can use to reconnect for a call with their network, so I created templates.
...and I'm making them available to you.
You'll be surprised how most of your connections will be ecstatic to hear from you and set the time aside. You'll go into the call prepared to help, exchange and with curiosity. Naturally, they will want to do the same. It can be very rewarding for
both.
"The change in mindset has been immense...and has given me more energy back. I’m now looking at other areas to really see how I can change (my perceived) negatives into positives and to see how I do something as actually being beneficial."
