Job Tuition

Maintain Connections to Advance Your Career

January 17th, 2007 by Andrew

This is the final part in our series on jobs vs. careers. Be sure to read Part 1 and Part 2.

So far we’ve talked a lot about focusing on your career vs. the individual job in which you are working. We’ve looked at applying this concept to the jobs you select. Now, it’s time to understand how to apply this to your career connections.

Keep networking

Everyone understands the importance of networking. It’s the key to getting the job you want. It’s how you reach more clients, make more sales, and earn that next promotion. Sure, you have to work hard, but you also have to network with the right people.

You can’t stop networking just because you’re in a job you like. Focus on the bigger picture: your career. If you settle into your current job and stop networking, your career will suffer.

So what do you do instead?

Most importantly, maintain your current network. Don’t stop networking. Keep in touch with your contacts. And also, expand your current network. Think about where your career might take you next and start networking in that direction. Lay the groundwork for your next job with the connections you make today.

Don’t burn bridges

Hopefully this goes without saying. However, I’ll say it anyway. Don’t burn any bridges. This is definitely part of continual networking to help your career.

Just because you don’t like your current job or had a run-in with a coworker, you should be sure to keep everything professional. Every job and professional you encounter should be an addition to your career and your network. But if you burn the bridge, that doesn’t happen.

This is not to say that you should love every job you have in your life. But you should definitely see how it fits into your career. Also, every supervisor you have should be able to provide a decent recommendation about the quality of your work. If that isn’t the case, make sure it’s not your fault.

Think “career”

Since that’s the mantra for this series, it’s worth saying one final time. Whenever a job opportunity comes your way, evaluate it in terms of your overall career. Don’t sabotage your career by burning bridges. And always keep up your network. If you keep the forest in mind, you’ll do much better with each individual tree.