Career Coach Corner: Get Your Network in Good Working Order

Years ago I worked with a client named Greg.  He was a talented writer and editor and he worked for an international business news service.  Over the course of his career he had worked in some of the biggest cities in the world--New York, Chicago, Hong Kong--and on any given day, he interviewed titans of industry, financial moguls and business leaders who were his story subjects and sources.  Yet when I asked him to tell me about his network, he shook his head and said, "Vickie, I don't really have a network."

"Greg!" I cried, nearly falling out of my chair.  I was thinking of his sources, his fellow writers and editors, his circle of friends and colleagues around the world.  "You not only have a network… you have a… a… " I sputtered, finally blurting out, "a 'Golden Rolodex!'"

Now, the term "Rolodex" may seem a bit outdated (although you can still find them in office supply stores) but it's a great metaphor for the names and contact information of the people in your life.  Whether you still use a paper system like a Rolodex, collect and store contacts in your smartphone or use a computer database like Outlook, the key thing is you need to have a way to retrieve that information and connect with people.  Then you need to know how to keep that network alive. 

In the 14 years I've been coaching people through career transitions, I've marveled at how nearly everyone I work with underestimates the power of those connections with people they already know.  Somehow, when folks think about networking, they think about making new contacts instead of honoring--and leveraging--the ones they have!

Think of it: how did you get your last job?  The majority of people learn about a job lead from someone they already know.  Maybe it's someone from within your professional association, a person you used to work with, a friend from church or a fellow parent on the sidelines at your child's soccer game.  When you're on a mission and share about that mission with the people who are in your "Golden Rolodex," your chances of success multiply. 

This Saturday, August 13, I'll be leading a workshop called "Building Your Golden Rolodex: How to Network for Results!" to help people unleash the power of their network to achieve their career or business goals.  The event will be held from 9:00 to 11:45 a.m. at the Illinois Institute of Technology's Rice Campus, 201 E. Loop Road, just north of Butterfield Road.  This workshop is for anyone who's up to big things: making a career transition, getting a promotion, staying viable in today's changing job market or building a business.  

Whatever our career objectives, we need our Golden Rolodex to be in good working order to succeed.  If you're on a mission, don't forget to share about your mission with the people who know you and love you!  They want to help you succeed--and so do I.

Click on "Building Your Golden Rolodex: How to Network for Results!" for more information about the workshop or to register, or visit  www.choicesworldwide.com. Thanks to the workshop sponsors: The Wheaton Chamber of Commerce, the Illinois Institute of Technology, Community Bank, Laso Corporation, Huck Bouma Law Firm, Finny Rajchel of State Farm Insurance and Rich Ferrari of Edward Jones.

Vickie Austin is a business and career coach and owner of CHOICES Worldwide based in Wheaton.  She treasures the gold in her Golden Rolodex and invites you to be part of her network.  You can connect with her at vaustin@choicesworldwide.com or call her at 630-510-1900.