I've always been a fan of taking stock at the end of the year. And the best career building resolution for 2019 is to make an effort each week to strengthen your network of professional contacts that can be helpful if you're unexpectedly in the job hunt. Moreover, with more job openings than there are people actively in the job market, you may decide it's time to actively explore new career opportunities.
Nationwide, 70 percent of all jobs are gained through networking; the percentage is even higher for middle management and more senior positions. Simply put, networking is the process of building alliances and helping others become more successful.
Effective networking can lead to everything from new ideas and new strategies to a new job or a board seat. However, successful networking requires self-confidence and the ability to stretch your thinking to find common ground with people you may not know well.
[SAVE THE DATE: 2019 Military and Veteran Networking Forum]
Begin the year by making a list of the 50 most important people in your extended professional and personal network. This list should include thought leaders in your field and people who can help identify potential job opportunities or industry trends. Resolve to reach out to one of these individuals each week. Skip networking during vacation and the year-end holidays, but for the remaining 50 or so weeks of the year, make a connection each week to strengthen your relationship and exchange ideas with one member of your extended professional network.
Sharing information is a good way to reach out and increase your visibility. Offer ideas, resources, and staffing recommendations. E-mailing interesting news stories with relevance to their profession is an excellent way to strengthen a connection. The best approach is to treat networking as a two-way street: The more you give, the more you will receive.
If you're lucky enough to have a job you love, open yourself to the idea of helping others who are less fortunate. Be supportive, return calls, answer e-mails, accept LinkedIn network connections, talk to strangers at meetings and professional symposia, and refer your contacts to the career building tools at MOAA's Career Center. Veterans and military spouses should also check out LinkedIn's military and veteran landing page for important resources available to the military community.
A final thought on resolutions: Character is revealed in the ability to carry out a good resolution long after the excitement of the moment has passed. Happy New Year!
Jim Carman is a former Navy captain and graduate of the MIT Sloan School of Management who serves as MOAA's Vice President of Council/Chapter and Member Support.