People to Connect With at Every Stage of Your Career
Networking is important for finding a job , mentoring, and moving up the career ladder, but depending on where you are on the career ladder, some connections are more useful than others. Here are the people who will help you the most at every stage of your career.
These relationships take a lot of energy and time to develop and maintain, so focus on where you are and where you want to move on in your career. Communicating with only top management or very experienced people will not always be the most rewarding.
- Just the Beginning : When you’re looking for your first job, or when you’re transitioning to a new job for the first time, reach out to your family and alumni . Both groups are groups you already have a connection with, which helps when you haven’t been working long enough to build a reliable network.
- After three to five years : Ask your former manager for a mentor or trusted advisor as you move up the career ladder to other opportunities. If you are interested in becoming a junior manager, a recruiter can help you find a suitable position.
- Mid-Career : Former colleagues who are now in other companies are a reliable source of referral when you want to change jobs or even change careers.
- Senior : If you are looking for senior open positions, keep in touch with people you have previously managed and for whom you have been a great boss . They can vouch for you and let you know when leadership positions open up in their companies.
While the list above is geared towards the people who can help you the most, remember that professional relationships are a two-way street. None of these people will help you if you only reach out in difficult times, so build these relationships before you need them.
These are the most important people in your network at every stage of your career | Fast Company