Landing your “Dream Career” doesn’t come with a fool proof
plan of execution. Many people wonder from job to job, trying to figure out how
to get that “next break” or somehow expect the CEO of a major company to hand
over keys to their corner office and a flex spending account. But in the “real world” that simply doesn’t
exist. However, there is one effective
tool that most tend to overlook, or do not know the power in using them. We’re not talking resumes and cover letters,
we’re talking forming relationships. Not
just knowing someone, but it’s all about who knows you.
Let’s first look at using your resume. When it comes down to it, your resume is just
among 100’s of 1000’s that float in cyberspace, waiting to get read, reviewed,
selected and hopefully get a chance for an interview. Relying on resume submission online ONLY, is
a recipe for frustration, feelings of defeat and most times, a long wait in
line. All you are doing is sending your
resume to people that you don’t know, and more importantly, do not know
you. That’s why building relationships
with influential people in your industry is key to making career power moves.
Believe it or not, we all have people in our lives that know
other people that know people who could be the next big step towards obtaining
that dream career. It’s been said we are
all only separated by six degrees or steps (or fewer), from any other person in
the world. It has been tested and proven
to be pretty accurate. So if this is the
case, you could possibly be only two to six people away from getting the career
of your dreams. To look at this further,
take a look at an excerpt from a book titled, “The 5 best tools to find your
Dream Career.”
“As I came to the end
of my college years, I began to realize that a direct-mail, mass-marketing
approach wasn’t working. I recognized
that people hire people, and that my resume was probably one of hundreds, if
not thousands, sent in response to any given ad….I realized that I didn’t have
the relationships I needed to even get on the radar screen of anyone in the
sports industry. .. I had to build more effective relationships with the right
people…I made a decision that was the start of putting into practice what has
become (my) philosophy…I couldn’t expect (my dream career) to come to me, I had
to pursue it—and pursue it daily.”
As the author states, getting your dream career will take
YOU pursuing it DAILY. It is not a hobby to do this, it is your JOB.
So taking it serious, is a part of your job description, and making it
happen is your daily duties. To get you
a head start, I’ve listed below three (3) tasks you can do to build the power
relationships you need:
1. Find contacts through people you already
know—get advice and get them to introduce you to them. Know how to identify people who can
assist you, and get some face time. Ask
if they are willing to mentor you.
(Sometimes, people have requirements for finishing their degree
plans—Doctorate, etc., and could mentor you, or just have a passion to do so.)
2. Research people in your industry and
region. Find out who are important and influential people in your
particular career industry (hospitality, mental health, etc.), that would be a
tremendous value to you.
3. Contact associations/organizations for
networking sessions. Local organizations
have monthly, and sometimes more frequently, meetings, or networking
opportunities where you can meet and mingle with people in your area, that have
careers with companies you may be interested. Find out on their websites, or
even better, call and talk with the most knowledgeable person in most organization,
the Exec assistant or Receptionist.
(More on that in another article).
Get the scoop on when/who to talk to, and best way you can get in front
of the contacts you need.
Tip: Your contacts need to know your commitment
and follow up is always vital.
As you start to use these simple tasks,
you will find it easier to accomplish.
Don’t be intimidated to meet and talk with the influential people you
will need. They are people just like you and I, and most times look for opportunities
to assist eager and determined individuals.
I hope you can see the importance
of building relationships versus utilizing resumes only. Having a value-based resume is a great
starting tool to use, however it’s the relationships and bonds you cultivate,
that will make all the difference.
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