You have 24 hours to jump start your career…GO!
Your career journey is a marathon, not a sprint. Since you will travel a long road full of twists and turns, you may underestimate the importance of each step. When you examine a successful career, you’ll find that there were thousands of steps along the way that alone seemed simple, but once connected formed an intricate journey. What you do today matters, because today’s actions will lead to tomorrow’s results. The key? Keep moving and connect! Here are some things you can do TODAY to jump start your career.
Schedule an informational interview! Informational interviews are a great way to not only build your network, but also gain firsthand knowledge from a professional in a field that interests you. In about an hour you can conduct research to identify someone to interview, craft and send a professional email asking them to participate, and generate some great questions to ask. Don’t be afraid to reach out. Remember, this is a learning experience for you so make the most of it. On the flip side, the professional you contact will be doing you a favor, so make sure you ask professional questions, be considerate of your interviewee’s time, and follow-up with a proper thank you.
Sign up to get involved! The bad news is no one is going to just knock on your door and offer you a job. The good news is anytime you interact with someone, it can possibly lead to a job. That’s why it’s important to get out there, connect, and gain experience! You never know who is in a position to hire, or can refer you to someone that can help. Plus you can gain skills along the way. One way to build your network is to get involved in activities that interest you. You’ll have fun, meet new people, and quite possibly take a step forward on your career journey. Jump on your computer, research organizations and events that interest you, then right away send a message to contact organizers about how you can get involved at the next meeting, event, or activity. (Need some ideas? Try professional or social organizations, www.meetup.com, community events, or volunteer causes!)
Send your friends an email! Share your career goals. Let them know a little bit about what kinds of opportunities you are interested in, how you are qualified, and then thank them for keeping you in mind. They may not be able to offer you an opportunity, but they can identify people in their own networks that may be able to help. They can also keep an eye out for positions that may be of interest to you. Keep it professional and offer your thanks in advance. The wider your network, the greater chance you’ll find people to connect with that can help you along your career journey.
Guess what? All of the suggestions above are ways to network! Are you surprised? They aren’t scary at all, right? Now, what should you take away from this post? Do something today! Close this window (right now!) on your computer and follow just one of the suggestions above. Do a little research, make a decision, and take action. Then tomorrow or the next day, try another one. How will your efforts today shape your career? There’s only one way to find out, so go for it!
