Zak Parker
It may seem like the most simple strategy, but typically it’s the most effective. Find someone in a career you are interested in (utilize LinkedIn) and ask if you can learn more about them and their career. Never approach someone and ask for a job or a hook up to a job. That puts people on the defensive. Always start with learning in mind. Come to the meeting curious, genuine and authentic. Ask questions to help you learn about their career trajectory, how they ended up in their current role and more about what they like, what they find challenging and what advice they’d give someone interested in the role. Chances are they will want to learn more about you and then you can explain how you are exploring career options and want to learn from people who are actually performing the careers. If they connect with you and think you’d be a good fit in their company they might actually hook you up-which is the best case scenario. Worst care scenario, you had coffee with a new person.
Contributors: Sarah Collins from Collins Career Coaching
