Whether you are determined to find your dream job or looking to make strides in your current career, by now you should have developed and maintained a solid, strategic network.
Have you taken a close look at your network lately?
Do you find yourself only attending events and making connections with colleagues and peers who are just like you?
Are you feeling like you are just talking to your own clones?
While it is important to recognize that everyone in your network will have something valuable to offer in terms of personal insight, career advice and connections - you are doing a great disservice to your personal/professional growth and development if your network is not diverse.
A broad, diverse network should have individuals who are:
-- Friends
-- Relatives
-- Neighbors
-- High school/College/Graduate school alumni
-- Professional advisors like lawyers, accountants, insurance agent
-- Current/former work associates
-- Former professors
-- Entreprenuers/consultants
-- Church/religious affiliates
-- Sorority/fraternity associates
and much, much more. If everyone in your network knows each other, just think about all the new, exciting and creative ideas and energy that you are missing out on.
What you can do today
-- Identify upcoming events, reunions and conferences you can attend to expand your network
-- Think about key individuals that are missing from your circle and start making efforts to reach out to them or others connected to them.
-- Take the time to learn more about people in your network, so that you can be a source of new introductions/referrals for them.
-- Volunteer for projects or work-related activities that move you beyond your comfort zone and expose you to new people.
Related posts:
Are you paying in forward with your networking?
