Whether you realize it or not, you are always “on.” People are reading you, sensing you, feeling you. And, based on how you make them feel, they will either lean in or back away. It’s human nature.
We are constantly being reminded of the importance of networking. Making connections and building relationships is the single most important thing we can do to keep our careers healthy and vibrant. It’s who we know! And, it’s how we show up that matters.
Even very casual contacts can be quite powerful in terms of linking us to new ideas and opportunities. As we expand our circles and meet new people we learn about different information, resources, and companies.
We all need a keen awareness of being “on” before we step out the door. Even a trip to the mailbox and a chance encounter with a neighbor offers the possibility of meaningful connection that could lead to an interesting opportunity.
Success can seem like sheer coincidence and happenstance. In reality, people who understand that they are always “on” are more likely to turn seemingly random encounters into meaningful connections. The goal is to continually grow our circles and then work to take key relationships deeper.
To hone your sense of self-awareness, consider how you present yourself in different settings and situations. Are you showing up in the best ways possible? Do people tend to lean in or back away? Are you someone that others would feel comfortable recommending to a hiring manager or referring as a business resource?
I recently inquired about a training program offered by a local entrepreneur. By the time I got off the phone, I no longer wanted to enroll. Rather than engaging me about her unique offerings, the business owner spent most of the call complaining about how hard it has been to make a decent living in this town.
I backed away. I decided to spend my money with a different provider. She not only lost out on my registration but on referrals I may have made. I doubt she realizes that her negativity is what turned me off.
What about authenticity? Are we supposed to pretend that we are “doing great” when we are depressed or down to our last dime? Being “on” is not about faking it. Meaningful connections can only form when we are genuine and real.
I am not advocating that people stuff their feelings but there is a time and a place to share our deeper fears and concerns. If you are a trying to build a private practice or launch a business, hire a coach or create a support network of trusted colleagues to help you through times of discouragement. If you are a job seeker, process setbacks and frustrations in the safety of a counseling setting or with close family members – not with a recruiter or at a networking event. If you are not ready to be “on,” then stay home.
Successful people know how and when to be vulnerable. They reveal mistakes and share challenges in a way that builds bridges rather than burns them. It is generally considered unattractive to speak negatively or blame outside forces such as a horrible boss, our age, or the state of the union for our situations.
For all these reasons and more, I truly believe that every single minute of our lives is an interview. Like it or not, we are always “on.” Set an intention to show up in the best way possible. You just might be the perfectly placed stepping-stone in someone else’s career journey. And, the very next person you meet could be the best thing that ever happened to you!
Here is what clients are saying…
“I enjoyed working with Carrie. I felt comfortable with her from the very beginning; she’s very warm, supportive, and easy to talk to. She helped me retool my resume and linkedin profile after taking care to learn about my experience, skills and desires. I highly recommend working with her if you have the chance.”
Going in for meetings with Carrie was the best thing I could have possibly done for my education and career. With her tremendous help I was able to figure out what I wanted to do and how I needed to go about my career. I can’t possibly thank her enough for her crucial role in jumpstarting my career and getting me headed in the right direction.
Carrie was an informative, supportive and thoughtful guide during a time of career refinement. She served as a sounding board in assessing benefits and challenges of positions, reviewed application materials, prepared me for interviews and debriefed and supported decision-making. The mock interview coaching sessions were incredibly valuable to me.
As a recent graduate with my master's degree in biomedical sciences, Carrie and Pink Sky Career Counseling were immensely helpful in the process of landing my first "real" job. I was at a loss for how to apply for a position to start my career in such a specialized field. With little to no work experience, Carrie was able to help formulate my resume, cover letter and references, and manage my LinkedIn page as well as provide general career counseling. Thanks to Carrie's help and guidance I recently accepted an intraoperative neurophysiologist position for NuVasive in Minneapolis, MN. I could not have done it without Carrie's help. Long story short - I highly recommend Pink Sky Career Counseling for any career counseling you may need.
Not a day goes by that I don't thank Carrie in my mind on the way to my new job. Calling her was one of the best things I ever did for myself. Carrie is very intuitive, connected in the community, genuinely caring, and a master of her craft. Of course if you sign on for this, you have to dig deep and do things that are outside your comfort zone to get to where you want to be in life. But she held my hand all the way till the end and beyond. I cannot thank or recommend her enough.
I highly recommend Carrie. She did an amazing job helping me with my resume and providing valuable guidance in my job search process. I ended up being offered a great new job and wouldn't have gotten there without Carrie's assistance and support.
Carrie is amazing, I had a position open that I didn't know about until 4 days before it closed, just before the weekend. She went above and beyond to get it accomplished for me. I highly recommend working with her.
Carrie was fantastic to work with. She listened to what I was wanting and she produced a excellent product, responses to my resume increased and just recently landed a great job!