August 12, 2025 • 23 mins
If you’re a mid-career professional feeling stuck in your job, the thought of “networking” might make you cringe. Maybe it feels transactional, forced, or just plain awkward. But when networking is done “right,” it doesn’t feel like networking at all. In fact, it can be fun and energizing.
In this episode of The Mid-Career GPS Podcast, John Neral shows you how to transform networking from an uncomfortable chore into a natural, ongoing part of your career development. You’ll learn how to approach networking as relationship building, so it feels authentic, valuable, and mutually beneficial.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- Why networking is really about cultivating genuine, long-term professional relationships
- How to create a unique professional value statement that clearly communicates who you help and how you help them
- Why you should leverage your existing network before trying to meet new people
- The art of the informational interview—and how one powerful question can open unexpected doors
- Why “give before you ask” is the mindset shift that changes everything
- How to use LinkedIn effectively without posting constantly (hint: engagement matters more)
- Why only 4% of LinkedIn users post regularly—and how to stand out through thoughtful interaction
Whether you’re job searching, looking for a promotion, or simply investing in your professional future, these strategies will help you network in a way that feels natural—and works.
Resources & Next Steps:
- Get a LinkedIn Profile Audit for just $50: johnneral.com/resources
- Join the Mid-Career GPS Membership Community for ongoing career development support: johnneral.com/membership
Keywords for SEO: mid-career networking tips, how to network without being awkward, authentic networking strategies, mid-career job search tips, LinkedIn networking for professionals, professional relationship building, networking advice for managers, career clarity mid-career, informational interviews, job search networking strategies
Ready to give your career the jumpstart it needs to whatever is next? Schedule a $197 Career/Leadership Strategy Session. Click here to learn more about how this transformative strategy session will help you.
Visit https://johnneral.com/resources to:
- Subscribe to my free leadership and career newsletter
- Get The Mid-Career Promotion Blueprint to help you figure out whatever is next for you and your career
- Join The Mid-Career GPS Membership Community.
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Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
As mid-career professionals, you are often
told and I advocate for thisthat your network is your net
worth and you should constantlyfocus on growing and building
your network.
But how?
Let's face it, you are busy,you are tired and for some of
you, networking feels weird.
(00:23):
Networking feels weird.
So in this episode, I'll sharewith you some of my best
networking tips to take you tothe end of 2025 and set you up
for greater success in yourcareer when you learn to
simplify your networking andkeep it very genuine and
authentic.
You want one quick tip Don't bea jerk, let's get started.
(00:47):
Hello, my friends, this is theMid-Career GPS Podcast and I'm
your host, john Nerrell.
I help mid-career professionalslike you find a career they
love, or love the one they have,using my proven four-step
(01:10):
formula.
Networking is a huge componentin building a job search
strategy, but if you arefrustrated with what you are
doing and feel like it is notworking, I've got something to
help you.
I've created a brand new freeguide along with a 20-minute
video training called why yourMid-Career Job Search Isn't
(01:34):
Working the four-step frameworkto build a smarter, faster and
more confident career move.
And recently, one of the peoplewho got this guide and reviewed
it for me.
His name is Mark.
He posted this and I shared iton my website.
He wrote, quote if you've beentirelessly on the job hunt for
what feels like an eternity andare starting to feel truly burnt
(01:57):
out or discouraged, I trulybelieve John Narrell's program
why your Mid-career job searchisn't working.
The four-step framework tobuild a smarter, faster and more
confident career move is thegame changer you've been waiting
for.
It's clear he deeplyunderstands the feeling of being
stuck and, mark, I thank youfor that, because I know through
(02:20):
many times in my career thatfeeling of stuck can get very
overwhelming and when you'retrying to make a move and you're
trying to branch out andimprove your career and improve
your professional trajectory,feeling stuck is never a good
thing.
So it's one of the reasons whyI created this guide and video
training for everybody was tohelp get you unstuck by giving
(02:44):
you some very tangible andactionable things that you could
implement right now, especiallyas we head into the last four
months of 2025.
Okay, and so today's episodehere is all about building a
networking strategy that is verygenuine and authentic to you.
(03:05):
So, right away, what I want toshare with you is that let's
reframe this idea aboutnetworking.
Networking at its core isrelationship building, and at
the top of the episode I said toyou don't be a jerk, or stop
being a jerk, right.
Here's the thing.
A bad networking connection isgoing to be someone who makes it
(03:31):
all about them and keeps it allone-sided.
See, networking isn't about howmany connections you have on
LinkedIn or how many contactsyou have in your email list.
Networking is about building aprofessional relationship that
(03:54):
is genuine and is cultivatedover time.
I am very fortunate that I havewhat I like to consider a very
solid LinkedIn network.
I have over 10,000 followers onLinkedIn and it's not huge or
vast or anything like that.
But here's the thing I couldtake 1% of that list and I could
(04:19):
reach out to anybody who is inthat 1% of my list and I know
they'd respond right away.
I know they would be there forme as much as I am there for
them, because we built theserelationships over time.
See, oftentimes, when you'reunemployed or you're looking to
make that next move in yourcareer, networking can start to
(04:42):
feel very transactional.
We need to reframe that.
Networking is something thatyou're going to do over time and
not just when you're lookingfor a job.
But networking is about giving.
It is about supporting and, yes, there comes a time when you
have to ask.
Okay, there've been a fewthings over the summer that I've
(05:05):
been working on that I've hadto go to my network and ask for
something and ask for apotential opportunity.
But that is only because wehave cultivated this
relationship over time that nowmaking an ask feels very genuine
and authentic at this point.
So many times I have mid-careerprofessionals who reach out and
(05:29):
they're like what do I have todo to get someone to offer me a
job?
And they don't know the person.
There's no trust established,there's no likability and, of
course, when there's no trust,why would somebody even enter
into a potential recommendationor advocating for you to work in
(05:49):
their company when they have noidea who you are?
So networking is a long game.
It is not something thathappens very quickly or
immediately.
You have to take time to buildthose professional connections
over time.
So here's another tip I wantyou to pay particular attention
(06:11):
to.
I have talked about this on thepodcast before.
You need to have what I call aunique professional value
statement.
It is not a pitch.
When we're pitching, we arewanting something, we are asking
(06:32):
for something.
When I show up from a place ofvalue and service, I am looking
to connect, support and, moreimportantly, help you in some
way.
Oftentimes what I say is thatmid-career professionals think
that they've got a pitch likethey're on Shark Tank.
Shark Tank's a great show.
I like it, okay, but if you arepitching to a company, an
(06:59):
interviewer or a potentialnetworking connection or a
potential networking connection,they're going to have their
defenses up.
That's why having a uniqueprofessional value statement
that very clearly talks aboutwho you help and what you help
them do gives the other personan opportunity because of the
(07:24):
clarity you provided them.
It gives them an opportunity toreact and determine whether or
not they can actually help you.
As an example, at the start ofevery podcast episode, I share
my unique professional value inthe introduction, share my
(07:47):
unique professional value.
In the introduction I say Ihelp mid-career professionals
who feel stuck, undervalued andunderutilized show up to find a
career they love, or love theone they have.
My unique professional value iscentered on the transformation
I am going to help you get as acoach, a public speaker, a
workshop facilitator, a host allof those things but a unique
(08:13):
professional value statementneeds to be clear and clean.
When you're networking withsomebody and you say to them I'm
a project manager, I'm afinancial professional, I'm an
educator, what you've done isyou've given such a broad label
that now you've given up commandof your narrative.
(08:34):
Now it's left for them todecide what they think you
actually do, as opposed totelling them.
Oftentimes I never tell peoplewhen I introduce myself that I
am a coach, because it conjuresup a lot of different images
about what coaches are, whatthey do and what their
(08:56):
impressions are.
I remember early on I said tosomebody I said, oh, I'm a coach
.
And they go oh, are you a lifecoach?
I have nothing against lifecoaches, life and I thought, wow
, I've already lost them becausethey've already gone somewhere
that I didn't want them to go.
(09:17):
That's why I created thisunique professional value
statement and it's what I coachmy clients on, both privately
and inside my membershipcommunity, to build and have.
And when you have that, one ofthe best ways to do it you're
going to put it in two placesOne is on your LinkedIn headline
and secondly in your aboutsection.
(09:38):
That way then people get to seein two places exactly who you
are and what you do.
Now, another tip here is let'sacknowledge you already have a
network.
It doesn't matter how manypeople you already have a
network.
It doesn't matter how manypeople you already have a
(09:59):
network.
And so, before you startthinking about expanding upon
your network and pulling so manymore people into it, think of
this Leverage your existingnetwork.
First, do an audit, go throughyour list of connections and
(10:19):
identify the people whom youtrust you are closest to, you
know very well, and these couldeven be colleagues you worked
with on a previous job, butmaybe you've lost touch a little
bit.
You are not starting fromscratch when you are networking.
You already have a networkestablished.
Think about your formercolleagues, your bosses, your
(10:42):
clients, your vendors, yourmentors.
Oftentimes, what I see ismid-career professionals
underestimate the depth andbreadth of their network and
they often overlook reaching outto their existing contacts.
There's a reason why you twoare connected.
Find a way to leverage thatokay.
(11:06):
Now, if you're looking to pullpeople into your network, you
want to maybe connect withpeople within a certain
organization or a certainindustry.
Do not ask for a jobimmediately.
You want to turn somebody offright away.
That's the way to do it.
(11:27):
What you want to do is you wantto invite them to a
conversation and ultimately askthem for some advice or guidance
.
It's one of the reasons why Ilove and advocate so strongly
for informational interviews,because we did them when we were
younger and somehow we forgetto do them as we get older.
(11:49):
Create that informationalinterview and conduct it much
like you would any other kind ofbusiness meeting have an agenda
.
Say to that person I'd love toget your perspective about
working at this company, whatyou enjoy about your field.
I'd love to get your thoughtson where your career field or
(12:11):
your industry is going over thenext five years.
How much is AI impacting yourindustry?
Rather than saying, hey, I'mcurrently unemployed.
Do you have any openings atyour company?
Yeah, I don't know you, that'snot going to happen.
That's nothing more thansomething you want and it is a
(12:35):
pitch and it is a huge turnoff.
Keep in mind, if we show up froma place of value and service
and we show up from a place oflooking for support, in general,
people want to help.
People are more willing tooffer you advice or guidance
that could potentially lead toreferrals.
(12:58):
So one of my favorite questionsI love asking at the end of an
informational interview is whoelse should I be talking to?
It lets them tap into their ownnetwork.
But then I take it another stepfurther and this comes to the
next piece.
(13:18):
If we are truly buildingprofessional relationships,
these relationships must berooted in support and service.
In other words, give before youask.
I've really enjoyed ourconversation today.
Who can I connect you to?
Who's a great connection foryou?
Who's been someone you've beenwanting to meet or talk to about
(13:41):
something professionally?
Maybe there's somebody in mynetwork I can connect you to.
One of my values is aboutconnection.
I love it when I am able toconnect a client or a
professional connection tosomeone in my network and they
just take it and run with it.
In this podcasting space I'vegotten to know other hosts.
(14:04):
I've gotten to know them.
In some cases I've been ontheir show and vice versa, and
oftentimes we'll refer guests toeach other because they're a
really, really great guest.
I will share with you.
At one point I had somebodyreach out to me to be a guest on
the show and they were not agreat fit.
There was some things aboutthem and their story and their
(14:26):
background.
That really wouldn't make thema great guest for this show.
But I knew somebody who itwould and I reached out to them
and I offered to make anintroduction and the potential
guest was very flattered mycolleague, who is a podcast host
.
She was thrilled because shedidn't have to go find somebody.
(14:49):
She knew she was getting apotential recommendation here.
The three of them hit it offokay, it was a couple, and then
the host the three of them hitit off.
It was great, but that'sbecause of the power of
networking.
And so, as we start to wrap upthis episode, what I want you to
remember is this when you thinkabout building your networking
(15:14):
strategy, you are building yournetworking strategy.
You are building a networkingstrategy that is rooted in how
you choose to network.
The rules that you play by arethe ones that feel right for you
.
The way you conduct anetworking conversation, the way
(15:36):
you show up for it, thequestions you ask, when you ask
for certain things or when youdon't, that is authentic to you,
because that is what feelsright.
It is about networking withgreater intention.
So, whether it is a virtualchat, a phone call, a
(15:58):
face-to-face meeting, it's acoffee conversation, it's a
lunch or dinner conversation.
You go to a networking eventwith a hundred people at it.
Whatever it is, my wish for youis that you build a networking
strategy with greater intention.
Networking is not something youdo because you need something.
(16:23):
Networking is something you dobecause you value your career.
You value the connections andthe relationships that you build
, because you are going to giveand you are going to get back
far more than you've given.
That's the power of building anetwork that you are proud of.
(16:46):
It's why we play the long gamewhen we network.
Now I'll leave you with thisbonus tip, and that's this Do
not just be on LinkedIn, useLinkedIn.
So oftentimes people will reachout and they'll ask me how much
(17:07):
should I be posting on LinkedIn?
And if they're a job seeker,what I often tell them is don't
post.
And if they're a job seeker,what I often tell them is don't
post.
You will get far bettertraction by being somebody who
uses LinkedIn to thoughtfullycomment on other people's
connections, and I've doneseveral episodes here around
(17:27):
LinkedIn.
And, very simply, you just goto any search engine and just
type in the Mid-Career GPSpodcast, linkedin, and you'll
get a handful of episodes veryeasily will pop up and when you
learn to use LinkedIn in a wayLinkedIn in a way that serves
you and suits you what happensis is that you're giving value
(17:51):
to other people's posts oradding to people's comments and
things.
The last report I read said thatonly 4% of users on LinkedIn
actively post on a regular basis.
4% that means 96% of people areout there.
They're either on the platformor not, but if they are on the
(18:12):
platform, they're doing morereading, reacting, and if you
really want to stand out and bea great networking connection on
LinkedIn, comment and engage.
And when you comment, engagethoughtfully with a question,
something that will keep theconversation going.
Don't just say, hey, great post, it adds no value.
(18:36):
So keep that in mind.
Figure out a way to useLinkedIn very intentionally.
Now, if you want some moresupport with this, if you want
some help, there are two thingsI can tell you about.
So one oftentimes people feellike they can't play full out on
(18:58):
LinkedIn because they don'tlike the way their profile is
Currently.
Right now, I offer a LinkedInprofile audit.
What happens is is you fill outa form, I go through that form,
I turn on the video, I gothrough and audit your LinkedIn
profile and give you suggestionson how to optimize it.
(19:18):
It is something you do yourself.
You take my feedback andincorporate it or not.
It is a $.
Do yourself, you take myfeedback and incorporate it or
not.
It is a $50 audit.
So if you want clarity in termsof what you should do and how
you should do it, the LinkedInaudit can be a great opportunity
for you, and you can find thatat johnnerrellcom forward slash
resources.
(19:40):
But if you want more help interms of building your
networking skills, figuring outthe best way to approach a
potential networkingconversation, or how to do some
very targeted outreach, be it inyour job search, your
leadership journey or even justexpand on your own professional
(20:01):
development, the place for youto do that is inside of my
membership community.
It is the Mid-Career GPSMembership Community.
You can find it on my website,johnnarrellcom forward slash
membership, and you can come infor $97 a month or 970 for the
year.
At the time of this recording.
(20:22):
You can come in and be a partof a community with like-minded
people and professionals who,like you all, care about
advancing their career.
They care about taking thatnext step, and one of the
greatest things is that you thenget to figure out how to build
your network and build anetworking strategy.
(20:44):
That takes the weirdness out ofit, because you are more
confident and competent in howyou want to build your network.
So check that out.
Johnnerrellcom forward slashmembership.
You go to the website,johnnerrellcom it'll be right up
there at the top.
You can click on the link.
Would love to have you come oninto the membership.
(21:04):
It's a great way to startbuilding your mid-career GPS and
develop it even further.
All right, my friends, ifthere's one big action step from
this episode, it's this Startbuilding a networking strategy
that you can confidently executeupon.
(21:25):
And remember, it is not aboutalways asking for things.
Networking is about building aprofessional relationship with
someone whom you trust, you like, you care about, you are
invested in and you can be asupport for them and they can be
a support for you.
(21:46):
So until next time, rememberthis you will build your
mid-career GPS one mile or onestep at a time, and how you show
up matters.
Make it a great rest of yourday.
Thank you for listening to theMid-Career GPS Podcast.
Make sure to follow on yourfavorite listening platform and,
(22:08):
if you have a moment, I'd loveto hear your comments on Apple
Podcasts.
Visit johnnerrellcom for moreinformation about how I can help
you build your mid-career GPSor how I can help you and your
organization with your nextworkshop or public speaking
event.
Help you and your organizationwith your next workshop or
public speaking event.
Don't forget to connect with meon LinkedIn and follow me on
(22:28):
social at John Darrell Coaching.
I look forward to being backwith you next week.
Until then, take care andremember how we show up matters.
Thank you.
As mid-career professionals, you are often
told and I advocate for thisthat your network is your net
worth and you should constantlyfocus on growing and building
your network.
But how?
Let's face it, you are busy,you are tired and for some of
you, networking feels weird.
(00:23):
Networking feels weird.
So in this episode, I'll sharewith you some of my best
networking tips to take you tothe end of 2025 and set you up
for greater success in yourcareer when you learn to
simplify your networking andkeep it very genuine and
authentic.
You want one quick tip Don't bea jerk, let's get started.
(00:47):
Hello, my friends, this is theMid-Career GPS Podcast and I'm
your host, john Nerrell.
I help mid-career professionalslike you find a career they
love, or love the one they have,using my proven four-step
(01:10):
formula.
Networking is a huge componentin building a job search
strategy, but if you arefrustrated with what you are
doing and feel like it is notworking, I've got something to
help you.
I've created a brand new freeguide along with a 20-minute
video training called why yourMid-Career Job Search Isn't
(01:34):
Working the four-step frameworkto build a smarter, faster and
more confident career move.
And recently, one of the peoplewho got this guide and reviewed
it for me.
His name is Mark.
He posted this and I shared iton my website.
He wrote, quote if you've beentirelessly on the job hunt for
what feels like an eternity andare starting to feel truly burnt
(01:57):
out or discouraged, I trulybelieve John Narrell's program
why your Mid-career job searchisn't working.
The four-step framework tobuild a smarter, faster and more
confident career move is thegame changer you've been waiting
for.
It's clear he deeplyunderstands the feeling of being
stuck and, mark, I thank youfor that, because I know through
(02:20):
many times in my career thatfeeling of stuck can get very
overwhelming and when you'retrying to make a move and you're
trying to branch out andimprove your career and improve
your professional trajectory,feeling stuck is never a good
thing.
So it's one of the reasons whyI created this guide and video
training for everybody was tohelp get you unstuck by giving
(02:44):
you some very tangible andactionable things that you could
implement right now, especiallyas we head into the last four
months of 2025.
Okay, and so today's episodehere is all about building a
networking strategy that is verygenuine and authentic to you.
(03:05):
So, right away, what I want toshare with you is that let's
reframe this idea aboutnetworking.
Networking at its core isrelationship building, and at
the top of the episode I said toyou don't be a jerk, or stop
being a jerk, right.
Here's the thing.
A bad networking connection isgoing to be someone who makes it
(03:31):
all about them and keeps it allone-sided.
See, networking isn't about howmany connections you have on
LinkedIn or how many contactsyou have in your email list.
Networking is about building aprofessional relationship that
(03:54):
is genuine and is cultivatedover time.
I am very fortunate that I havewhat I like to consider a very
solid LinkedIn network.
I have over 10,000 followers onLinkedIn and it's not huge or
vast or anything like that.
But here's the thing I couldtake 1% of that list and I could
(04:19):
reach out to anybody who is inthat 1% of my list and I know
they'd respond right away.
I know they would be there forme as much as I am there for
them, because we built theserelationships over time.
See, oftentimes, when you'reunemployed or you're looking to
make that next move in yourcareer, networking can start to
(04:42):
feel very transactional.
We need to reframe that.
Networking is something thatyou're going to do over time and
not just when you're lookingfor a job.
But networking is about giving.
It is about supporting and, yes, there comes a time when you
have to ask.
Okay, there've been a fewthings over the summer that I've
(05:05):
been working on that I've hadto go to my network and ask for
something and ask for apotential opportunity.
But that is only because wehave cultivated this
relationship over time that nowmaking an ask feels very genuine
and authentic at this point.
So many times I have mid-careerprofessionals who reach out and
(05:29):
they're like what do I have todo to get someone to offer me a
job?
And they don't know the person.
There's no trust established,there's no likability and, of
course, when there's no trust,why would somebody even enter
into a potential recommendationor advocating for you to work in
(05:49):
their company when they have noidea who you are?
So networking is a long game.
It is not something thathappens very quickly or
immediately.
You have to take time to buildthose professional connections
over time.
So here's another tip I wantyou to pay particular attention
(06:11):
to.
I have talked about this on thepodcast before.
You need to have what I call aunique professional value
statement.
It is not a pitch.
When we're pitching, we arewanting something, we are asking
(06:32):
for something.
When I show up from a place ofvalue and service, I am looking
to connect, support and, moreimportantly, help you in some
way.
Oftentimes what I say is thatmid-career professionals think
that they've got a pitch likethey're on Shark Tank.
Shark Tank's a great show.
I like it, okay, but if you arepitching to a company, an
(06:59):
interviewer or a potentialnetworking connection or a
potential networking connection,they're going to have their
defenses up.
That's why having a uniqueprofessional value statement
that very clearly talks aboutwho you help and what you help
them do gives the other personan opportunity because of the
(07:24):
clarity you provided them.
It gives them an opportunity toreact and determine whether or
not they can actually help you.
As an example, at the start ofevery podcast episode, I share
my unique professional value inthe introduction, share my
(07:47):
unique professional value.
In the introduction I say Ihelp mid-career professionals
who feel stuck, undervalued andunderutilized show up to find a
career they love, or love theone they have.
My unique professional value iscentered on the transformation
I am going to help you get as acoach, a public speaker, a
workshop facilitator, a host allof those things but a unique
(08:13):
professional value statementneeds to be clear and clean.
When you're networking withsomebody and you say to them I'm
a project manager, I'm afinancial professional, I'm an
educator, what you've done isyou've given such a broad label
that now you've given up commandof your narrative.
(08:34):
Now it's left for them todecide what they think you
actually do, as opposed totelling them.
Oftentimes I never tell peoplewhen I introduce myself that I
am a coach, because it conjuresup a lot of different images
about what coaches are, whatthey do and what their
(08:56):
impressions are.
I remember early on I said tosomebody I said, oh, I'm a coach
.
And they go oh, are you a lifecoach?
I have nothing against lifecoaches, life and I thought, wow
, I've already lost them becausethey've already gone somewhere
that I didn't want them to go.
(09:17):
That's why I created thisunique professional value
statement and it's what I coachmy clients on, both privately
and inside my membershipcommunity, to build and have.
And when you have that, one ofthe best ways to do it you're
going to put it in two placesOne is on your LinkedIn headline
and secondly in your aboutsection.
(09:38):
That way then people get to seein two places exactly who you
are and what you do.
Now, another tip here is let'sacknowledge you already have a
network.
It doesn't matter how manypeople you already have a
network.
It doesn't matter how manypeople you already have a
(09:59):
network.
And so, before you startthinking about expanding upon
your network and pulling so manymore people into it, think of
this Leverage your existingnetwork.
First, do an audit, go throughyour list of connections and
(10:19):
identify the people whom youtrust you are closest to, you
know very well, and these couldeven be colleagues you worked
with on a previous job, butmaybe you've lost touch a little
bit.
You are not starting fromscratch when you are networking.
You already have a networkestablished.
Think about your formercolleagues, your bosses, your
(10:42):
clients, your vendors, yourmentors.
Oftentimes, what I see ismid-career professionals
underestimate the depth andbreadth of their network and
they often overlook reaching outto their existing contacts.
There's a reason why you twoare connected.
Find a way to leverage thatokay.
(11:06):
Now, if you're looking to pullpeople into your network, you
want to maybe connect withpeople within a certain
organization or a certainindustry.
Do not ask for a jobimmediately.
You want to turn somebody offright away.
That's the way to do it.
(11:27):
What you want to do is you wantto invite them to a
conversation and ultimately askthem for some advice or guidance
.
It's one of the reasons why Ilove and advocate so strongly
for informational interviews,because we did them when we were
younger and somehow we forgetto do them as we get older.
(11:49):
Create that informationalinterview and conduct it much
like you would any other kind ofbusiness meeting have an agenda
.
Say to that person I'd love toget your perspective about
working at this company, whatyou enjoy about your field.
I'd love to get your thoughtson where your career field or
(12:11):
your industry is going over thenext five years.
How much is AI impacting yourindustry?
Rather than saying, hey, I'mcurrently unemployed.
Do you have any openings atyour company?
Yeah, I don't know you, that'snot going to happen.
That's nothing more thansomething you want and it is a
(12:35):
pitch and it is a huge turnoff.
Keep in mind, if we show up froma place of value and service
and we show up from a place oflooking for support, in general,
people want to help.
People are more willing tooffer you advice or guidance
that could potentially lead toreferrals.
(12:58):
So one of my favorite questionsI love asking at the end of an
informational interview is whoelse should I be talking to?
It lets them tap into their ownnetwork.
But then I take it another stepfurther and this comes to the
next piece.
(13:18):
If we are truly buildingprofessional relationships,
these relationships must berooted in support and service.
In other words, give before youask.
I've really enjoyed ourconversation today.
Who can I connect you to?
Who's a great connection foryou?
Who's been someone you've beenwanting to meet or talk to about
(13:41):
something professionally?
Maybe there's somebody in mynetwork I can connect you to.
One of my values is aboutconnection.
I love it when I am able toconnect a client or a
professional connection tosomeone in my network and they
just take it and run with it.
In this podcasting space I'vegotten to know other hosts.
(14:04):
I've gotten to know them.
In some cases I've been ontheir show and vice versa, and
oftentimes we'll refer guests toeach other because they're a
really, really great guest.
I will share with you.
At one point I had somebodyreach out to me to be a guest on
the show and they were not agreat fit.
There was some things aboutthem and their story and their
(14:26):
background.
That really wouldn't make thema great guest for this show.
But I knew somebody who itwould and I reached out to them
and I offered to make anintroduction and the potential
guest was very flattered mycolleague, who is a podcast host
.
She was thrilled because shedidn't have to go find somebody.
(14:49):
She knew she was getting apotential recommendation here.
The three of them hit it offokay, it was a couple, and then
the host the three of them hitit off.
It was great, but that'sbecause of the power of
networking.
And so, as we start to wrap upthis episode, what I want you to
remember is this when you thinkabout building your networking
(15:14):
strategy, you are building yournetworking strategy.
You are building a networkingstrategy that is rooted in how
you choose to network.
The rules that you play by arethe ones that feel right for you
.
The way you conduct anetworking conversation, the way
(15:36):
you show up for it, thequestions you ask, when you ask
for certain things or when youdon't, that is authentic to you,
because that is what feelsright.
It is about networking withgreater intention.
So, whether it is a virtualchat, a phone call, a
(15:58):
face-to-face meeting, it's acoffee conversation, it's a
lunch or dinner conversation.
You go to a networking eventwith a hundred people at it.
Whatever it is, my wish for youis that you build a networking
strategy with greater intention.
Networking is not something youdo because you need something.
(16:23):
Networking is something you dobecause you value your career.
You value the connections andthe relationships that you build
, because you are going to giveand you are going to get back
far more than you've given.
That's the power of building anetwork that you are proud of.
(16:46):
It's why we play the long gamewhen we network.
Now I'll leave you with thisbonus tip, and that's this Do
not just be on LinkedIn, useLinkedIn.
So oftentimes people will reachout and they'll ask me how much
(17:07):
should I be posting on LinkedIn?
And if they're a job seeker,what I often tell them is don't
post.
And if they're a job seeker,what I often tell them is don't
post.
You will get far bettertraction by being somebody who
uses LinkedIn to thoughtfullycomment on other people's
connections, and I've doneseveral episodes here around
(17:27):
LinkedIn.
And, very simply, you just goto any search engine and just
type in the Mid-Career GPSpodcast, linkedin, and you'll
get a handful of episodes veryeasily will pop up and when you
learn to use LinkedIn in a wayLinkedIn in a way that serves
you and suits you what happensis is that you're giving value
(17:51):
to other people's posts oradding to people's comments and
things.
The last report I read said thatonly 4% of users on LinkedIn
actively post on a regular basis.
4% that means 96% of people areout there.
They're either on the platformor not, but if they are on the
(18:12):
platform, they're doing morereading, reacting, and if you
really want to stand out and bea great networking connection on
LinkedIn, comment and engage.
And when you comment, engagethoughtfully with a question,
something that will keep theconversation going.
Don't just say, hey, great post, it adds no value.
(18:36):
So keep that in mind.
Figure out a way to useLinkedIn very intentionally.
Now, if you want some moresupport with this, if you want
some help, there are two thingsI can tell you about.
So one oftentimes people feellike they can't play full out on
(18:58):
LinkedIn because they don'tlike the way their profile is
Currently.
Right now, I offer a LinkedInprofile audit.
What happens is is you fill outa form, I go through that form,
I turn on the video, I gothrough and audit your LinkedIn
profile and give you suggestionson how to optimize it.
(19:18):
It is something you do yourself.
You take my feedback andincorporate it or not.
It is a $.
Do yourself, you take myfeedback and incorporate it or
not.
It is a $50 audit.
So if you want clarity in termsof what you should do and how
you should do it, the LinkedInaudit can be a great opportunity
for you, and you can find thatat johnnerrellcom forward slash
resources.
(19:40):
But if you want more help interms of building your
networking skills, figuring outthe best way to approach a
potential networkingconversation, or how to do some
very targeted outreach, be it inyour job search, your
leadership journey or even justexpand on your own professional
(20:01):
development, the place for youto do that is inside of my
membership community.
It is the Mid-Career GPSMembership Community.
You can find it on my website,johnnarrellcom forward slash
membership, and you can come infor $97 a month or 970 for the
year.
At the time of this recording.
(20:22):
You can come in and be a partof a community with like-minded
people and professionals who,like you all, care about
advancing their career.
They care about taking thatnext step, and one of the
greatest things is that you thenget to figure out how to build
your network and build anetworking strategy.
(20:44):
That takes the weirdness out ofit, because you are more
confident and competent in howyou want to build your network.
So check that out.
Johnnerrellcom forward slashmembership.
You go to the website,johnnerrellcom it'll be right up
there at the top.
You can click on the link.
Would love to have you come oninto the membership.
(21:04):
It's a great way to startbuilding your mid-career GPS and
develop it even further.
All right, my friends, ifthere's one big action step from
this episode, it's this Startbuilding a networking strategy
that you can confidently executeupon.
(21:25):
And remember, it is not aboutalways asking for things.
Networking is about building aprofessional relationship with
someone whom you trust, you like, you care about, you are
invested in and you can be asupport for them and they can be
a support for you.
(21:46):
So until next time, rememberthis you will build your
mid-career GPS one mile or onestep at a time, and how you show
up matters.
Make it a great rest of yourday.
Thank you for listening to theMid-Career GPS Podcast.
Make sure to follow on yourfavorite listening platform and,
(22:08):
if you have a moment, I'd loveto hear your comments on Apple
Podcasts.
Visit johnnerrellcom for moreinformation about how I can help
you build your mid-career GPSor how I can help you and your
organization with your nextworkshop or public speaking
event.
Help you and your organizationwith your next workshop or
public speaking event.
Don't forget to connect with meon LinkedIn and follow me on
(22:28):
social at John Darrell Coaching.
I look forward to being backwith you next week.
Until then, take care andremember how we show up matters.
Thank you.
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