Regardless of how you start your career, you need to be in the right frame of mind to fully enjoy the experience. Also, you need to have a lot of energy to be able to keep up the drive to try new things and also when you are faced with obstacles.
For some, this could be challenging because it may require trying to engage with people we don’t know. Considering that many of us were taught as children not to talk to strangers, this takes on a whole new meaning when we apply it in our adult lives. Instead of seeing this as a negative experience filled with anxiety about the possibility of being rejected or ignored, it should be seen as an opportunity to learn from others. Every person we come across can teach us something: a new skill, a different point of view you hadn’t considered, even how not to do something.
Many people tell me when doing a job search that they don’t know how to start approaching “these strangers.” There are a few methods, but the best way to start is with your personal network. When was the last time you asked a friend or family member to recommend a plumber, electrician, hairdresser, etc.? Now try asking these same people to introduce you to those in their network who can offer advice (not a job!). Your mission is to build relationships with those outside of your circle of contacts who can provide you with valuable information on different industries, functions, market trends and business issues. Keep in mind that knowledge is power, so the more information you can gather, the more you can make informed decisions if this is the right strategy or path to take.
Of course, LinkedIn can also help you grow your contacts, but you need to approach it the right way. You can ask those connected to you to do an electronic presentation, but you can also reach out to others, especially those in your LinkedIn groups. This could be a group of alumni from the university or an association. By having something in common with these people, it’s easier to approach them and ask to connect (please mention how you’re connected when you send an invite). Once your invitation is accepted, you can request a brief call to introduce yourself and ask them for their opinion on a topic or advice. You are NOT asking them for a job.
Building your network is critical in today’s business world, but it requires a great deal of energy and stamina. Knowing that you want to communicate with x people a day can be tedious, but it’s very rewarding when someone is willing to connect with you and provide information on a particular topic. As my father always said “talk is cheap”; in other words, you can always ask, the worst you’ll hear is “no”. Take advantage of that opportunity and you will be surprised how many people are willing to help you.