Establishing a strong professional network will ensure you are prepared for a career change at any time. If you are currently looking for a new role, networking is even more important, and it is never a bad time to reassess what kind of connections are important to you. After all, you never know when positive feedback or a referral could come in handy. Whether you are considering a career change, looking for a new job or loving your current one, here are a few methods you can use to keep your professional network strong.
Review Your Existing Connections
Every home needs a strong foundation, and this holds true in networking as well. You most likely know a few people, whether they be current or former colleagues, who would be willing to help you build your network. Reaching out to existing contacts is important no matter how stable your employment may be. You never know when you’ll want to move on to exciting new opportunities, so strengthening your existing connections is key.
Attend Networking Events
When you work in a specialized industry, whether it be consumer products, life sciences, food & beverage, or the chemicals industry, you can find useful trade shows and conferences that provide valuable opportunities to make new connections. If you are new to your industry, there are often workshops you can attend to sharpen your knowledge and skills. There are also local meet-ups and organizations like executive recruiting firms and executive search firms that hold networking events; however, don’t limit yourself to in-person events. LinkedIn is a great tool for making connections and discussing industry trends with over 740 million users.
Follow Up with Your New Connections
Making new connections is good, but there’s still more work to do. If you met a contact at an executive recruiting firm for example, make it a point to keep the conversation going the next morning. Put that stack of business cards you got to good use by sending emails to your new connections, letting them know you enjoyed meeting them. Keep the door open for further conversation by making sure they know they can reach out to you if they ever need assistance. If you promised to send a resume to an executive recruiter you met, don’t forget to follow through as well.
As you grow your network, every connection is valuable. Get connected with an executive search firm or executive recruiting firm if you are looking to land a new role. Executive recruiters know what hiring managers are looking for, and can be a useful resource as you take the next step in your career.
Trust the Top Executive Search Firm to Help Build Your Network
At Penta Search Group, we specialize in connecting qualified candidates with roles in the skilled and specialist field of supply chain recruitment. We bring our unique blend of extensive recruitment expertise, deep market knowledge and unrivaled service to source, select and secure talent across multiple sectors and functions. Operating across North America and Europe, our service and results speak for themselves.
If you are interested in leveraging our connections to find your next role, we will provide the expert support you need. Tap into years of supply chain expertise and discover the Penta Search difference today.
