How to find a network

[Anonymous]

I’m a first-gen college grad and have kind of built my career the scrappy way… figuring things out as I go, learning on the fly, a lot of trial and error. I thought I was doing SO well getting myself through college but now I can clearly see that I just didn't know what I didn't know- I went to the cheapest state school I could find, had to work 35 hours per week with a full class load so I didn't have any extraciriculars/networking time in school. I got a psychology degree not understanding the lack of career possibilities (in my LMC 18yo brain - just going to college and getting any degree = success). Went into $100k debt for that which I will have paid off next month after 10 years.

In my current role, I’ve been really lucky. Leadership has pulled me into rooms I probably wouldn’t have had access to otherwise, and I’ve learned a ton just from being around those conversations. My CEO just told me "I check to see if you're on meeting invites and if you are, I know I can skip and things will move forward correctly". But it’s also made me realize how much of the next level seems to come from relationships outside your company too. Candidly, I want to job search but obviously can't use my current leadership for that. My work reviews are always GREAT, I've gotten so much recognition from customers even multiple essentially saying "why are you working here?". But again, my employment contract has a non-solicit + non-compete so I feel like I can't leverage customer relationships either. I just feel like I can't breathe. It feels like I get all the internal and external signals that my work is top notch, but I can't figure out how to translate it up to a growth opportunity.

I've never had health insurance from a job or other benefits outside of PTO/small 401k match - which I couldn't contribute much too because of the loan repayment and OOP health insurance. It's been such a defeating cycle.

So I’m curious from those of you who are further along: how did you actually find the people who opened doors for you or helped shape how you think?

And more tactically… how do you do that if you don’t come from a built-in network? Is it weird to ask someone for a coffee or a quick call? What makes that feel worth it on your end vs. a random ask?

[Anonymous]

Go to professional groups outside of your organization. Bring business cards. Connect with people on LinkedIn afterwards. Ask questions and pay attention. Figure out what's interesting and happening in your field and where there's growth. Learn about those things. LinkedIn, blogs about your field, whatever.

Absolutely you can ask people for coffee, but it'll be more useful to you if you're not just generically asking for career advice but you have specific questions and you've done the research to figure out if they're the right person to ask those questions.

[Anonymous]

First of all, this is wonderful praise and hope you celebrated it: "I check to see if you're on meeting invites and if you are, I know I can skip and things will move forward correctly." Second of all, if you're 30s or younger you're going to be fine applying to jobs on accomplishments/resume alone. But your network can also be vendors you work with right now, people you meet at a networking event (whatever your industry, find a networking happy hour in it by searching online.). A big comment: I'm surprised you're not getting employer-paid health insurance and I'd get that starting next job onward. You save thousands if not tens of thousands. It's really a must-have - for regular check-ups, emergencies, and if you think you want to be a parent later on.

[Anonymous]

You don’t know what you don’t know. The key to networking is to have something that makes people want to spend time with you. Pick up a hobby like pickleball and become really good at it. Golf is another option if you can afford it. Once you’re skilled, go to places where other professionals and executives spend time. For example, you can play at local pickleball venues in Annandale, public parks with pickleball courts in McLean, or the Capital One HQ pickleball courts in McLean, across from Wegmans. If you’re a strong player, others will invite you to join them. From there, you can build your connections. Remember, much of networking happens outside the workplace. I’ve met many important people through pickleball, and I was hired by Capital One last year because I happened to play with someone at Dill Dinkers. He turned out to be a VP at Capital One and helped me get a job there.

Best of luck to you.

[Anonymous]

I hope you don’t sell yourself short. Everything you have accomplished so far is impressive.

For the next step, join an industry or professional group relevant to your goal position. Volunteer for a committee and go to events where you see the same people over time. You could also sign up for a mentoring program. Share that you are seeking advice on next steps to advance your career.

You’ve done a lot of hard stuff and you can do this too!

[Anonymous]

Is there not opportunity for promotion where you are?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You don’t know what you don’t know. The key to networking is to have something that makes people want to spend time with you. Pick up a hobby like pickleball and become really good at it. Golf is another option if you can afford it. Once you’re skilled, go to places where other professionals and executives spend time. For example, you can play at local pickleball venues in Annandale, public parks with pickleball courts in McLean, or the Capital One HQ pickleball courts in McLean, across from Wegmans. If you’re a strong player, others will invite you to join them. From there, you can build your connections. Remember, much of networking happens outside the workplace. I’ve met many important people through pickleball, and I was hired by Capital One last year because I happened to play with someone at Dill Dinkers. He turned out to be a VP at Capital One and helped me get a job there.

Best of luck to you.

This is so ridiculous but probably true advice. Not sure if it will work if you are LMC (I am too), you tend to have very different life experiences (I remember two guys I know comparing favorite resorts in Cancun or which airline has the best airport lounges).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hope you don’t sell yourself short. Everything you have accomplished so far is impressive.

For the next step, join an industry or professional group relevant to your goal position. Volunteer for a committee and go to events where you see the same people over time. You could also sign up for a mentoring program. Share that you are seeking advice on next steps to advance your career.

You’ve done a lot of hard stuff and you can do this too!

Start applying to jobs like a madwoman.