Here’s a question from K.G.:
I am crazy busy w/my job. I know I should continue to network (online and in person) but finding the time at the end of the day is a real challenge. At work any kind of online networking is impossible. I come home from work and it feels I used up all my brain-power for the day. I am also in a new relationship which requires some of my time as well.
Appreciate any suggestions you may have.
I’ll take this in bits…
>> I am crazy busy w/my job.
I was too, before I got let go. I didn’t do any “career management” while I had my job because I naively thought the company would reward me for hard work and loyalty. My suggestion is to do something… obviously not a 40 hour a week job search, but do stuff every single day (more on that below).
>> I know I should continue to network (online and in person) but finding the time at the end of the day is a real challenge.
It sounds like you come home from work and then think “okay, what can I do to network tonight?” What if you got plugged into some networking events (you can easily ask around – ask job seekers what events they recommend) and planned for them ahead of time – that way, you know next Tuesday where you’ll be, and can plan for it.
Perhaps more important, what networking can you do at work? I’m not saying to network as a job seeker, but network with your peers. Have lunch with different people. Reach out to new people in your office, or even outside your office. Become well-known, and develop a strong brand.
Networking and branding are not exercises limited to job seekers who have plenty of time … they are career management strategies that should be done ALWAYS. So have fun meeting more people at work…
>> At work any kind of online networking is impossible.
DO NOT DO ONLINE NETWORKING AT WORK. I’d say, in general, LinkedIn is okay, but even that can be scrutinized as a job search tool (which I disagree with). Just stay away… and even be careful how you phrase things in emails, since those can be monitored also.
>> I come home from work and it feels I used up all my brain-power for the day.
I know the feeling… as per above, either different planning or networking and branding at work… and save your evening time for something else, especially if your brain-power if used up.
>> I am also in a new relationship which requires some of my time as well.
I know the guy you are with and I think he’s a pretty cool dude!
What do you guys think? What else would you add?
K.G. & Jason,
Good question and good advice. I loath the word “Networking” but I haven’t found a suitable replacement word. I try to talk about having a circle of friends and this holiday season I’ve been calling them angels (call me a softie).
My favorite quote, one I use all the time by JFK is simple yet powerful. “The best time to fix the roof is when the sun is shining.” You’re employed and you have a new dude and the holidays are here.
People accomplish great things when they set goals and then break them down into manageable accomplishments. I’m not going to climb the 7 tallest mountains in the world today, nor am I going to summit Everest in 2011 but I can make a simple decision to walk every day.
You get to the top of Everest one step at a time and I suggest you do the same with your personal career management. Get off the hamster wheel cage and set some easy to achieve goals. One for this week, one for next week and so forth.
One step, one shingle, one nail and soon you have a new roof.
Happy Holidays,
Brad
Awesome Brad, Awesome.
Softie 🙂
Good Advices 🙂