How can you use your industry contacts to find job opportunities?

Staying engaged through networking events, LinkedIn, and professional gatherings is my practical advice. However, even better if you are proactive in expressing your career goals, seeking advice, and leveraging connections for informational interviews. Stay visible and maintain a genuine, reciprocal relationship to tap into potential job leads.

I’ve found that joining as many industry-relevant groups as possible has been incredibly helpful. From meeting new contacts, becoming part of Slack channels to learn about opportunities and meet others, to scheduling coffee chats across the world - there’s nothing more important than community!!!

Finding a job is hard. Securing a job you want to do is even harder. In this current climate, it is brutal and competition is fierce. But I genuinely believe more than ever that reaching out to your full circle of contacts, connections, friends, family and especially cold outreach is powerful. I have been blessed to have been head hunted many times in my career because of my reputation. But I have also opened doors that were unknown because I was bold enough to knock and put myself forward bravely. Industry contacts are great but I would look beyond your blackbook and seek to also make new connections. I have built powerful relationships starting with just an honest cold invitation to connect on LinkedIn. Be bold, Be human, Be genuine.

As you reach out to your contacts/network, consider how you might be able to help them. Show genuine curiosity about what's going on in their lives, and you will likely find they are just as ready to offer support in return.

Not to forget the most impactful way of expanding your network: produce a steady flow of content. This could be insights that you post, learnings or your original thoughts on topics that matter to you. I recently got laid off, so I started sharing my challenges and fears, how shame plays an important role in unemployment and how to counteract. These activities not only helped me get recommendations for open positions, people also sent me job offers that they came across. And it contributed greatly to growing my network by 20% over a 3 month period with 8 sequential posts on the topic of unemployment.

Its important that you dont come across as only interested in yourself and what this person can do to help you. That is a one-way relationship and they dont usually work out well. Once you know what you are interested in, get curious about that subject, share your thoughts and also ask questions. People will be willing to answer questions and as those relationships prosper you can think about asking a favour, and ideally they might propose to help you before you even need to ask!