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Best practices building a professional network?

Veteran

Robel Ramirez Pooler, GA

Just retired from the army, all of my professional friends and network are military, i am looking for ideas on how to develop a professional network?

31 August 2018 21 replies Networking

Answers

Advisor

Lisa Holton Litchfield Park, AZ

Hi Robel, if you have LinkedIn please feel free to link to me Lisa Holton. I’d encourage you to connect with our military recruiters as well. Their names are Chip Hawkins and Liz Brew.

27 September 2018 Helpful answer

Advisor

Tim Feemster Dallas, TX

I think you have gotten great advise from Teri, Robel, Jerry, Dave, Jacqueline and others. I would like to add a couple of elements. Dave mentioned the Chamber of Commerce in whatever city you are in, I would suggest the Economic Development office as well. They typically have workforce and jobs teams. Next LinkedIn is your main networking social media platform. Before you post your resume on any job boards, read this book- "Rites of Passage at $100,000+" by John Lucht. It details many elements of the job search with lots of research, examples and good tips. Beware of the job boards and contingent placement folks as you may end up with a "price on your head" inside companies you try to network into directly. Read the book available for under $25 in paperback & $20 via Kindle. I keep a copy of the hard cover book on my desk all the time.

Advisor

FRANCIS TEPEDINO, ESQ. San Diego, CA

Get some business cards with your name, e mail, etc. You will need these for meetings and associations to keep people knowing who you are, and how to contact you.

Good luck.

Advisor

Kevin Trosine Oviedo, FL

Great advice from all! I can speak firsthand regarding the Toastmasters experience, its awesome and you'll meet people from all walks of life. I've been a member for 16 years and learn something new at every meeting! Check it out here; https://www.toastmasters.org/

Advisor

John Sinnott Providence, RI

Look for Boards to get involved with, attend all those Rubber Chicken lunches and Dinners and mingle. It will be a little frightening the first few times, but you'll start recognizing the same people at these events and get to know them.

Advisor

Gerald Mannikarote Houston, TX

Hi Robel,
I think you received a lot of great info already. Maybe you could also look at the resources my team has published on LinkedIn on the Digital Selling Conference page. We interviewed Houston's #1 LinkedIn Expert and Influencer and he gave some great strategies. You can see the video on the LinkedIn page or on YouTube. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Warm regards,
Jerry

Advisor

Christine Pouliot Big Lake, MN

Much of this depends on what you want to do next. If you are looking to join a business, check out your local Business Journal events. I have found these to be a great source of connections in the business world. Key is to find out where "your people" hang out and go there.

Advisor

Teri Graves Littleton, CO

Hi, Robel...I would like to suggest a couple of approaches. First, if you are an alumnus of a university or college, become active in the alumni association; alumni are poised to help each other through transitions and can have far-reaching networks. The other approach is to take a look online of the various professional organization which span many job disciplines and consider joining one or two of those which are the best fit. In addition to networking events, these organizations often do volunteer projects which increase your exposure to others and provide a vehicle for getting to know others and showcasing your skills and personality.

Advisor

Andy Bergin Greenwich, CT

Join Toastmasters - Google says they have one in Pooler and they meet on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM. It sounds hokey but they attract a diverse set of professions and it might be a good place to start since it's a supportive environment. I can help you craft your first speech if you want - contact me andy@speakingvirtually.com - I know COOs who go to Toastmasters just to sharpen their speaking skills. They also have locations across your state. Your leadership bio is impressive. Thanks for protecting us all these years.

Veteran

James Harper Cave Creek, AZ

For those of you out there in the Intelligence Community we offer a course at the FBI and at many federal agencies called Best Practices for Community Collaboration. It is an Unclassified course but has many tips which could have wide appeal. Harvard Business Review May 2016 "Learn to Love Networking" by Tiziana Casciaro and "The Essence of Collaboration" by Randy Pherson are articles that provide a good place to start.

Advisor

Brock Renshaw Tampa, FL

You’re a natural and you may not have known it.

By asking the question you’ve recieved 11 responses thus far. That’s 11 more professionals in your network by simply asking a question.

Well done.

Is there a city and sector that you’re going for? You can ask your current network through social media who lives there, works in that industry, or if they know anyone who does.

I’m also a fan of finding a head hunter who can help you get a look by prospective businesses.

If you’d like, drop me a line at brock.alan.renshaw@citi.com and we can discuss further.

Best of luck
Brock

Advisor

Jacqueline Contreras, CPRW San Antonio, TX

I agree with everything previously posted, but also recommend using Michael Quinn's LinkedIn Cheat Sheet (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ultimate-linkedin-cheat-sheet-michael-quinn/) to build your profile. Follow him on LI to read a new tip every day about how to expand your network to find your next career.

Here's another page you can use to find VSOs who are willing to help, https://www.cheatography.com/xfaith/cheat-sheets/transitioning-servicemembers/). Obviously, ACP is on the list. :)

Advisor

Rob Bedell Santa Monica, CA

Hi Robel,

First, thank you for your service. Next, as some people said, LinkedIn is one of the best way to expand your professional network. Search for people in the industry/industries you are interested in getting into and send a note, something like. "Your profile caught my attention today. Congratulations on your success. I like networking with other successful professionals. I look forward to getting to know you better." Then once you connect with people, send them a short note saying thank you for connecting and if there is anything you can help them with, to please let you know. Then after a week, send one more saying you think there are a lot of areas you have in common and ask them to meet for a cup of coffee.

I have used this strategy and it has grown my network a lot over a couple of months. The key is doing it every day. If you need any more help with it, connect with me on LinkedIn and I will help get you going.

Rob(ert) Bedell

Advisor

Paul Fallace Baltimore, MD

Best Professional strategic networking book out is Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi. Buy the book and read it through once then read it a second time taking action on the items he suggests. It will change your approach on networking and job search. Covers Linked It, How to make cold calls warm, How and when to email people to get responses etc. Great resource.

Advisor

David Aron Washington, DC

Let your current network (the military folks you mentioned) know that you are leaving the military and [full in the blank with what you're hoping to get our of an expanded network]. You didn't mention why you wanted to expand your network. Presumably, you're looking for a job - there's no point to an expanded network for its own sake unless you're just friendly. Let your network know with some specificity what you're looking for, and ask them if they might know of someone in their networks who might be willing to speak with you about your search, give you some suggestions in that regard, etc. You never know who your network knows. I agree with one of the other commenters that Linked In is great. Once you're connected to someone there, you can usually see their connections and ask for an intro. I also agree with another commenter that you don't asj directed fur a job when you're networking. You just ask for advice and suggestions and for intros to others who may be willing to speak with you. Also, think outside the box. I got my first job out of school by making cold calls to people in my high school alumni directory. I also considered paying window washers to put my resume on the outside of the World Trade Center (pre-9/11). I figured that would have made the news and generated at least one or two calls. Luckily, I got a job before having to try that! Good luck!

Advisor

Dave Falzareno San Antonio, TX

Visit the Savannah Chamber of commerce, or find a few nonprofit organizations you want to support and go volunteer. Join some committees as an officer such as the VP of Membership, and mingle. Print up some business cards and hand them out. Go golfing as a single and get paired up. Volunteer at a PGA event. If you want to be a Marketing Manager, join the American Marketing Assiciation...and so on. Smile and engage.

Advisor

Douglas Lavelle Chatham, NJ

If you do not have already, create a LinkedIn account. Glad to assist with that. If so, start building a network there of a goal of 500+
There are more avenues for sure, but thought accomplishing a clear objective would be helpful. Glad to discuss more with you and lend assistance. Many thanks for your service.

Advisor

Jerry Welsh Middleville, MI

Seek out local trade associations, many have lunches and like new members. Also check out Informational Interviewing with civilian career managers/directors etc. Be sure to indicate you are a service member seeking assistance in researching the supply chain career and am looking for a professional to speak with. A lot of good articles on the Information Interviewing process, key is you are not looking for a job, your are looking for assistance in learning about your career. Good Luck, both areas usually produce information and people.

Advisor

Paul Dyksterhouse Oceanside, CA

I regularly mentor job seekers and have written this checklist to reference. https://sites.google.com/site/bestcorpscom/individual/network

Advisor

Jenna Lucree Savannah, GA

LinkedIn and Meetups. Meetups are great even if socially oriented only as you will meet a diverse group of people. Congratulations on your retirement and deepest thanks for your service.

Advisor

xxxx xxxx San Antonio, TX

Sir,

This is the start. My name is Richard Buck. I am USMC vet. I have ben out now for 22 years and have been working in consulting. I work for EY. The best thing to do is go to a lot of organization events. Also create a LinkedIn account.

Here is my contact information

Richard Buck
Rb2018tx@gmail.com

SEMPER FI

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