Networking – YOU’VE Got to Drive It!

If Jimmy jumped off a cliff, would you follow him?

It’s become a well-known, and well-worn, fact that your 1st or next career opportunity will be driven by… you! How to take the initiative and create the career in technology, or any field, that you aspire to is under your control.  I would think that would be comforting. The work you’re doing – whether for compensation, experience or the pure joy of gaining knowledge. The associations, technical groups and committees in which you participate. How you represent yourself and your disability – if it’s evident or you choose to disclose – will say a lot to a prospective employer about your confidence, passion and the value you expect to bring to a role. If you’re still not certain that we’ve left the days of 3 references and a hard copy resume behind us – let me assure you – we have. They’re gone. It’s a brave new world.

You’re Never in too many Networks

I recently introduced one of our consultants in transition to a very tenured professional in the technology field for the purpose of helping him strengthen his network and secure invaluable mentoring. The mentor was an officer of a well-respected professional IT association with a focus in the area of interest of our consultant and had, in fact, proposed to me that he’d welcome an opportunity to mentor in the field. Music to my ears. The two were introduced, there was a brief window of mentoring, and I had occasion to chat with our consultant/candidate some time later. I asked him whether he’d joined the association, expecting that he would have done so as a natural extension of the developing relationship. He seemed a bit confused and uncertain how to reply, noting something related to a modest fee, school obligations, he didn’t know that was MY expectation or related. I pressed a bit, but ultimately let it go, realizing that it wasn’t MY issue.

Networks Thrive on new Members

What I think I found most challenging and frustrating in this scenario was the lack of drive and common sense from a bright person. I try to step back, put myself in another’s shoes, and not judge, but this was a poor decision – or lack of decisive action – on the part of this candidate. He had a great shepherd into a quality organization, robust opportunity to learn, grow – AND NETWORK – but found a rationale not to take advantage of it. If cost of membership was really the barrier he could have implored some relief – it’s done all the time and the requester is not looked down upon, but respected for his interest and passion to be part of something. If the self-imposed barrier was time/day conflict with education, participate as you’re able or grow into the group as your circumstances change….but make a move! Here’s our IT Knowledge Abilities Network (ITKAN) link on Linked In to start.

Knowledge is Free

Personally, I am excited that we have migrated to a more natural and sophisticated approach to career development and transition. Knowledge is all around us – much of it at the modest cost of an internet connection, or for that matter the cost-free effort to secure a library card and access the Internet… or even the tried and true stacks of reference books if that’s your preference. Speaking for the IT industry, the number and breadth of groups and associations is dizzying to the point that, if you’re not well networked or working on it, you must be working on NOT networking.

Inertia, Inertia, Inertia

We are a society of support and self-improvement. You aren’t confident speaking in public? Join Toastmasters. Your disability creates communication challenges? Educate yourself to the myriad assistive communication technologies available and reach out to service providers to support your knowledge of and access to these critical tools for your success. You have fallen behind the technology adoption curve? Surf the Internet, review open source sites, and on and on. You want to design web sites or games? Do it. Hone your programming and development skills by offering to build sites for a community organization, your place of worship, the local Rotary, or for yourself – YOU, Inc.

Set your own Course

Traditional recruiting and placement is on the wane. I say good riddance. Research on professional satisfaction has for years indicated that we’ve allowed ourselves to be directed by others, sold ourselves and our employers into roles that we either aren’t suited for or really aren’t passionate about, and more often than not sent out cover letters and resumes galore in a near catatonic approach to “getting a job,” any job. Isn’t it time for you to help shape your own future and cultivate that genuine network that will support your drive to add value and grow as a professional for a lifetime? Remember when mom or dad used to ask, “If Jimmy jumped off a cliff, would you follow him?” Well, I think we’re at that cliff. Maybe it’s worth taking a step back and charting your own path.

Tagged as: Networking, Recruiting