Tapping into the Career Opportunities Market – Build a Strong Social and Professional Network

Social and Professional Networks and “Opportunities” – what is the relationship?

Once a year, I intentionally immerse myself in at least one learning space and event filled with lots of new people. My goal is to share my knowledge and expertise while allowing these to be challenged and enriched by other fresh perspectives. I also aim to build meaningful, long term career relationships with at least five people, thus expanding both my network and the opportunities potential that may grow those relationships.

I often hear people say, “if only I would be given an opportunity” or “if only I had an opportunity”. Translate the word “opportunity” into your own vernacular or local context for it to really be relatable 😊.

Reflecting on this and on the idea of career networking, I have come to see that we need to expand our understanding of what “opportunity” really means. Career networking is not just about just finding a job; it is about opening many other “possibilities that can support both our professional and personal growth. By doing this, we truly honour the power and value of our social and professional networks.

What then are “opportunities”?

Opportunity is defined as “a time or set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something.”

Synonyms for this words are insightful. These are: a chance, a break, a prospect, a window, a turn, a go, and an opening.

What do people mean when they say, “I just need an opportunity” in the context of career development?

When an individual says: “I need an opportunity”, they mean:

“I just need a set of circumstances that makes it possible for me to do something.”

The “something” I leave you to define but note that it is not limited to a job in the broad definition of a career as the sum of all the paid and unpaid roles you take on throughout life.

The Opportunities Market – What are the set of circumstances or opportunities that people yearn for?

Self-Coaching Tip – The list below is not exhaustive; you can adapt it and add your own opportunities or set of circumstances that you need to move closer to achieve your life and career goals, which together form your career plan. These are examples of opportunities that people often seek through their Social and Personal Networks:

• Leads or Connections – for job openings (remember the Hidden Job Market); for consultancy or gig contracts; for long-term business contracts; to get information that is not open to many etc
• Contacts – to people, to spaces, to associations e.g. professional ones where further connections are made, to other networks e.g. alumni groups, online communities on social media platforms, chat groups such as WhatsApp and Telegram where social bonds defy distance and time etc
• Resources – here the list is long, it includes people, money/financial investment, time as a resource, knowledge, practical tangible inputs, technology etc
• Expertise – we live in a knowledge economy, where access to and free use of certain expertise will not only shorten your learning curve, time to your own competence, delivery time and it can also open up many possibilities for you and your goals.
• Information – access to information is the difference maker in many situations. It determines how we respond and plan our actions, as well as our strategies. For example, industry or labour market information about the industries that are flooded and those with job openings in the next 5 years influences job search actions and education plans.
• Learning – there are various ways we learn through, with and from others. For some people, the opportunities they seek may be learning opportunities e.g. from a mentor, an advisor, a coach, an expert in the field etc, or being connected to learning spaces and funds such as scholarships.
• Location – this is critical as both physical and relational proximity makes a huge difference in the set of circumstances or opportunities you can access or leverage.
• Support – this can be social or professional support that takes the form of boosting your confidence, giving you feedback, providing a different perspective, providing inspiration and fresh ideas, emotional support etc

Reminder of the 15 Roles that should be in Your Social and Professional Network

1. Connector – a person with a lot of linkages with other people to connect you to.
2. Boundary Spanner – a person who links unconnected networks with yours.
3. Peripheral Specialist – not really connected to others but brings specialised knowledge that others  in your network and you may need.
4. Expert Practitioner/s – experts in your sector or field of interest; they are usually organized into a Community of Practice / Professional Association.
5. Mentor – someone who has achieved what you want to be that you turn to often.
6. Coach – thinking and accountability partner walking with you to achieve goals in a timebound and outcomes-based relationship.
7. Advisor – someone you turn to for specific social or professional advice.
8. Sponsor – a key decision-maker who sits at the decision-making table. He/She is the one who “carries your ideas and papers” into the room and pushes for your interest in an opportunity, position or resources.
9. Champion – your promoter in various spaces and to others. They market you, what you have and can do. They raise your profile and brand.
10. Inspiration partner – who you turn to for ideas and they inspire you to generate ideas or stimulate your creativity. 
11. Accountability partner – someone whose role is purely to keep you on track in terms of set goals or commitments made. 
12. Peer collaborator – someone you can count on for collaborative projects and mutual accountability. 
13. Friend/s – those very close to you providing emotional and social support. They are quality and vakue adding relationships not quantity. 
14. Family – those very close to you who support you unconditionally.
15. Social group member/s – close connections in your social groups.

10 Tips on How to Develop your Social & Professional Network

1. Prioritise relationships that matter by identifying mutually beneficial connections and intentionally seek to include them in your network.
2. Identify mutually beneficial relationships and seek these out to be in your network.
3. Be clear on how to add value, what you need and negotiate terms.
4. Check in regularly and share updates.
5. Follow, like, and comment on their work, especially online.
6. Invest time in the relationship, there is no substitute for this.
7. Be generous. Share resources that you have as well. Be a value addition.
8. Connect your network members or recommend them.
9. Celebrate others. Profile, support, and champion the work of people in your network.
10. Express Gratitude. Always thank those that have helped or supported you as acknowledgement deepens relationships. 

In closing, your social and professional network is one of the most powerful assets you can cultivate. It holds the potential to unlock opportunities that align with your goals and values. However, the true strength of your network lies not in its size, but in the quality of your relationships, the depth of your connections, and your level of investment in them. 

REFLECTION QUESTION

What kind of opportunities do I want to attract and what am I doing today to nurture the relationships that could make them possible?

JOIN THE COACH ENNIE & ECLC CAREER GROWTH COMMUNITY

Gain access to tools, tips, and a supportive space to explore your values and discover how they align with your life and career journey.

Join the WhatsApp Community here:

https://chat.whatsapp.com/CI1MEbdzX2G0zMvsZHNvdq

Once inside, join groups that are tailored for your journey:
1. Career Planning, Development and Management

2. Leadership Development and Team Building

3. Wellness-Centred Life Planning and Personal Management

4. NGO Workers: Career Coaching and Advice

5. Job Search and Employability Support

Written by: Ennie Chipembere Chikwema

Coach, NGO Institutional Development Consultant and ECLC Director

E-mail: ennie.chipembere@eclcglobal.com

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ennie-chipembere-chikwema/

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/EnnieCareerCoach

X: @EnnieChipembere