Now for the fun part — getting social! This week we’re encouraging you to make connections online and IRL.
+ TASKS
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF LINKEDIN
In addition to having an online resume, LinkedIn offers the chance to connect with people you know and don’t know in a light way. If you haven’t spent time connecting with people you do know, take some time to do that now and build out your “network” of connections. If you go to an event, invite the people you meet to connect (it’s nice to remind them how or where you met in the note).
The other way to “connect” on LinkedIn is to browse the news feed and comment on or like posts by your connections. This is an easy way to say, “I’m here,” and stay present in your network’s minds, without making a specific ask. It also is a great way to see what people in your industry are talking about, and to show others what you are interested in or know something about. If you’re up to it, share articles that are interesting and relevant to the space you’re focused on.
Commenting and cheering on others in your network will help you build an online presence.
MAKE THE MOST OF IN-PERSON EVENTS
Take some time to have your elevator pitch (week four was devoted to this) ready for those in-person parties or events you may be going to. Practice it, tweak it, but say it out loud so people can know what you want to do and be helpful.
FOLLOW COMPANIES ON LINKEDIN, FACEBOOK AND TWITTER
Social media presents the opportunity to do your homework on a company long before you meet them. We love Lindsay Pollak’s (author of REMIX) point on why it’s key to “follow your desired employers on social media.”
Says Pollak: “We live so heavily in the information economy and you want to speak their jargon. Companies spend millions of dollars to put out what they think, and you can speak a company’s language before an interview by following them on social. Being able to say, “I’ve been following you is a critical piece.” Particularly if you’re going to work for a high tech company or one that skews millennial.”
It’s easy to follow the companies you’re interested in on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook, and you can likely follow some of their thought leaders as well.
SET UP MEETINGS
It’s time to start putting all your homework, hard work and prep work out into the world… It’s time to start setting up coffee meetings and informational meetings. The critical piece here is that you have a reason to meet with the people you reach out to and a specific ask of what they can do for you. People are very eager to help, but they need to understand what you need, not figure it out for you.
+ READS
Making the Most of your Iced Coffee Date
What Is an Online Presence—and How Should You Build Yours?
Interviewing For A New Job? You Must Download This App
How to Clean Up Your Social Media During the Job Search
The Give and Take of Networking
Three Networking Mistakes to Avoid
+ ON-DEMAND WORKSHOPS
It’s one thing to know the steps to return to work, it’s another to think through the how of work and the where of work. Career coach Laura Riordan, Ph.D.’s 10 tips will stretch how you think about a return to or a change in your work.
+ GET THE FULL SERIES
Week One: Reconnect with Your Professional Self
Week Five: Getting Ahead of What You Don’t Know
Week 6: LinkedIn, Resume and Portfolios
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