The Secret to Good Career Karma: Be a Connector

My friend Lourdes is a natural connector. When I was a yoga instructor, she was constantly recruiting new students for me and she wasn’t even one of my regular students. She is always thinking about how she can be helpful and you absolutely never need to ask. It is just in her DNA. When I work with job seeking clients, I ask them to take a moment to think about their friends who are natural connectors and encourage them to reach out to them first. So take a moment to think: who are your connectors? Write them down.

Are you a connector?

Would you show up on anyone’s connector list? If you are not sure, think about the last time you connected a friend with someone to help them. It is a gift to be a natural connector, but it is also a skill you can develop. In a world where it seems like support and rights are being stripped away, we need connectors more than ever. Being a connector does not require you to be powerful, popular or rich. You don’t even have to have a career. Stay at Home Moms are some of the best connectors. And grandparents? Don’t even get me started at the magical connecting powers of grandparents. You just need to put in a little effort. Think a little differently. Recognize your power.

In a world where it seems like support and rights are being stripped away, we need connectors more than ever.

How can you develop your connecting muscle?

-Listen to people with the desire to remember

-Ask clarifying questions

-Think about how you can help someone struggling without them having to ask

-Talk to different types of people, get outside of your bubble

-Be willing to get it wrong. Sometimes we think we have a connection when in fact it is not as aligned as we thought. That is ok. It is better to try and miss than to not try at all.

Can introverts be connectors?

Introverts can be amazing connectors. Introverts often have deep conversations with people and this can lead to opportunities to really understand where they need support. It is helpful to be social, and talk to people and this can be a hindrance to introverts who interact with people less often, but it is not a deal breaker. I love to connect people–it is my favorite thing to do! And I consider myself an introvert although, admittedly, a social introvert.

The Best Connection Story

One of my favorite connector stories is about a woman who had a successful business and was reflecting on how she got there. When she was in college her aunt was across the country at jury duty. Her aunt was a natural connector and she understood what her niece was looking for in a career. She befriended a fellow jury duty participant and asked him what he did for a living. She immediately made the connection that he worked in an area that was ideal for her niece. She told him about her niece. One thing led to another and her niece got her dream job right out of college with that individual her aunt had met at jury duty. A lot had to go right for that to happen. The main thing was that the aunt was listening carefully to her new jury duty friend and had listened carefully (to remember) what her niece said about her career interests. And, boom!, she saw the opportunity. A win-win-win. She got to help her niece, she got to tell her new friend about a potential awesome employee, and she got to put goodness out into the world and create career karma for herself.

How can LinkedIn help you be a connector?

One of the easiest ways to be a connector is to keep your LinkedIn up to date so people can see if you are a primary or secondary connection for them. Do you work at the company one of your connections is interested in working for? Can you put in a good word for them? Are you connected to someone who works at a company that your nephew is interested in? Can you make a warm introduction? Keeping your connections up to date can benefit you as well as others.

Are you in need of connections?

-Reach out to your friends whom you identify as “connectors” first.

-Next reach out to people who have the potential to be connectors, but may need a little direction.

-Make it easy for people to help you. Let people know how they can help and send an email follow up with your clear request.

-Brainstorm potential connectors with a friend. Practically every time I meet with a client they have an “aha” moment where they realize they should be reaching out to someone who is “so obvious” but they somehow did not think of them. I swear it happens with almost every client. Think about your community carefully to identify people to reach out to.

-Remember even when you need help, you can still be of service. Continue to connect others. It can feel good to help others when you are needing help yourself.

-Engage with LinkedIn, continually update your connections and your profile, share information that you see with others, congratulate people on promotions, new jobs, birthdays, work anniversaries. LinkedIn is the perfect place to develop your Career Karma.

Learn more about how LinkedIn can help by signing up for my training program Beyond the Profile!