You know how important networking is for your career… after all, 80% of positions are filled through referrals.
We are all so busy that it’s easy to push networking to the bottom of our list, but not if you use a BLOCK SCHEDULE to prioritize your time for deliberately reaching out to your network. With a block-schedule,
30-60 minutes can be allocated on your calendar to focus on one specific project---CAREER NETWORKING. Reach out to colleagues from your past and new connections with a focus on relationship building and referrals.
When it comes to a career strategy, time blocking is the way to go and there are countless studies that show how it can maximize your productivity.
WHERE TO START...
Haven’t stayed in contact with your connections recently? Below are a few small action steps to get started today.
Block out time on your calendar for networking.
Draft a message to send to your current network or use our MESSAGING TEMPLATES. Make your message compelling and suggest a mutual time for a brief catch-up conversation because meaningful conversations lead to career referrals.
Go into the conversation with the intention of rekindling a collaborative relationship.
At the right time, ask to be introduced to key individuals in their company or network. Also, be prepared to offer introductions to professionals in your network to reciprocate.
Start connecting and fill your calendar with conversations that grow your network and new career opportunities.
“Time-blocking works because it helps us to focus on getting our work done right then. This is critical, as our brains need constant
focus when we’re at work.”
"When a task gets scheduled, however, you are committing to getting that specific thing completed at a particular time and expect to have it finished when the period has ended. In effect, you’re telling yourself, “This one task is of great importance to me, and I will devote time and
singular focus to it, to the exclusion of everything else.” It is as if you’ve created a meeting with yourself that cannot be interrupted. You prepare yourself mentally for the task and go all in."
