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9 Tips to Help You Move into a New Career

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What is one tip you have for someone looking to launch into a new career?

To help you launch into a new career, we asked career coaches and successful entrepreneurs this question for their best insights. From finding your transferable skills to talking to those who know you, there are several tips that may help you break into a new profession.

Here are nine tips to help you move into a new career:

  • Find Your Transferable Skills
  • Don’t “Fake it Until You Make it”
  • Turn “What I’ve Done” Into “What I can do for You”
  • Start Building Your Network Early
  • Write Down Your Then, Now, and Next
  • Research, Listen, and Network
  • Upskill to Prepare to Launch a New Career
  • Ask for Help
  • Talk to Those Who Know You

Find Your Transferable Skills

It doesn’t matter if you are going from a pastry chef to an astronaut, every job, every volunteer experience, every class taken, has provided you with a skill that you can bring to another sector of your life. Find those skills from your past experiences and highlight them on your resume and cover letter. If you are having trouble finding these transferable skills, try reviewing job posts you are interested in and see what skills are listed on the job posting that you have. A lot of the time a little creativity is all you need.

Bryor Mosley, Southern New Hampshire University

Don’t “Fake it Until You Make it”

One strategy that a lot of people employ when wading into a totally new area is to fake it until they make it. In other words, they pretend to know a lot more about the industry and role than they do in reality. In my opinion, this is a terrible technique for breaking into a new vertical and gaining the trust of new team members. It is a much smarter play to own your lack of expertise and show some humility, while at the same time expressing your passion to learn and gain experience.

People, especially managers, will respect you more for being humble and genuine than feigning expertise. Most people are smart enough to be able to see right through a phony. Plus, when you try the “fake it till you make it” approach, it just takes one tough question or misstatement to expose you. Don’t run the risk – just own your inexperience and be cool about it.

John Ross, Test Prep Insight

Turn “What I’ve Done” Into “What I can do for You”

A good starting point is your resume. Rewrite it as a skills-based document instead of a chronological listing of your previous experience. Consider a personal website where you introduce yourself with a YouTube video. Create short video case studies highlighting your problem-solving prowess that will help you succeed in your new profession.

Your goal is to reinforce the fact you have the skills to succeed in a new career and previous job titles aren’t significant. Finally, mentally prepare yourself to be looked at like you’re applying for your first “real” job because that’s how many prospective employers will see you.

Joshua Chin, Chronos

Start Building Your Network Early

Having a professional network in your new industry before you make the transition will give you access to more opportunities when you’re ready to make the switch, and your resume is likely to get more serious consideration from hiring managers if you’re referred or recommended by someone connected to the company. This is often a big hurdle for those switching careers since they don’t have experience in the industry, which can make it a challenge to compete with applicants who are already established in the field. You can kill two birds with one stone by attending workshops, conferences, trade fairs, or certification courses that help you gain the skills and knowledge you’ll need in the new industry while making connections with other professionals.

Archie Payne, Caltek Staffing

Write Down Your Then, Now, and Next

The space in time when you are on the brink of launching into a new career is incredibly special. It is a pivotal point where you have this rare view of where you’ve been, where you are now and can see a wide view of what could be next. You have both the benefit of hindsight (to learn from), the benefit of aversion (to understand what isn’t working), and the benefit of motivation (to understand what drives you and what you really value).
This window is temporary, and it’s unlikely that you’ll remember it all when you make a decision and are 1 year into your new career. 

So, write it all down. Write down answers to why you did what you’ve done already, what worked, what didn’t, and what you learned. Write down how you feel right now, what sensations arise for you when you think of change, and what feels important to do differently. Write down what you want to take with you for your next chapter and what outcomes you’d love to achieve. Take stock, and enjoy reflecting on your journey in a year!

Hannah Ray, TAKE Coaching Amsterdam

Research, Listen, and Network

Launching into a new career is an exciting endeavor! Some folks are prone to jumping headfirst into unknown territory while others refrain from making impulsive decisions. Know ‘why’ you’re desiring to pursue a new career. Map out questions you have pertaining to this transition and the type of work you expect to be performing in the future. Conduct your own research. Do not blindly rely upon third-party resources from people to companies painting a picture of your desired career. 

Engage actively in this learning process by engaging in online and offline forums, network with people in those respective career paths, talk to headhunters representing roles in that respective career sector, weigh the pros & cons of this career choice, connect with institutions (academic & professional) that can share more information; etc.  Remember we live in a world where the majority of the population is in “sales mode”. It’s important that you exercise sensible judgment when making this important decision.

Sasha Laghonh, Sasha Talks

Upskill to Prepare to Launch a New Career

Upskilling offers a significant advantage in the modern labor market. Launching a new career is hard. The barrier to entry is often difficult to overcome and this is especially true for individuals who have spent a considerable amount of time in a career they would like to leave behind. These individuals could have plenty of experience but it may not be relevant to another industry.

Employers are mostly considered by this fact. Individuals should want to obtain new skills before they enter a new career for a better chance of success. Getting more formal education can be expensive, but other methods are available. Bootcamps are available for a variety of information economy skill sets such as marketing, coding, sales and graphic design. Upskilling presents a significant advantage for individuals who are looking to enter a new career.

Sean Doherty, Box Genie

Ask for Help

There’s going to be a lot to learn as you begin your journey into a new career. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from a manager, coworker, or anyone else. Reach out to other professionals in your desired career on LinkedIn and other business networking platforms—be sure to briefly explain why you’re looking to make a transition and ask well thought out questions—it shows that you are proactive, resourceful, and an effective communicator.

Dan Gray, Kotn Supply

Talk to Those Who Know You

With many companies making layoffs right now, the time is perfect to launch into a new career. Daunting, scary, and something you’ve always wanted to do. The best ideas during times of RIF and redundancy have come out of layoffs. Explore what you are passionate about and where your knowledge is or what you want to learn about. Engage with that space. Contribute and learn. Ask questions and network. 

Talk to those who know you well. Family, friends, and colleagues from past and present. Ask them what your strengths are, and what you are great at. Don’t ask what they think about you – just what they feel your strongest self is. Know what you ‘want to be famous for’.  Follow it with energy and passion. The rest will follow.

Duncan Evemy, DE Talent Consulting

Terkel creates community-driven content featuring expert insights. Sign up at terkel.io to answer questions and get published. 

12 Creative Ways To Stand Out On LinkedIn

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What is your best tip for a creative way to stand out on LinkedIn?

To help you stand out on LinkedIn, we asked CEOs and social media managers this question for their best ideas. From correlating your banner picture to your profile picture to being your unique self, there are several creative tactics you can try to help you stand out on LinkedIn. 

Here are 12 creative ways to stand out on LinkedIn:

  • Correlate Your Banner Picture To Your Profile Picture
  • Complete The Summary Section
  • Keep Work History and Role Descriptions Easy To Follow
  • Ask for Recommendations
  • Promote Others’ Content
  • Add Industry Terminology
  • Post Regularly in The Feed To Boost Visibility
  • Tell a Unique Story in Your Bio
  • Use Visuals
  • Be Creative With a Concise and Commanding Headline
  • Create a Personal URL
  • Be Your Unique Self

Correlate Your Banner Picture To Your Profile Picture

Many people understand the importance of having a professional profile picture, however, when one clicks on their profile their banner picture generally does not correlate to the profile picture. This is often a missed opportunity to really get your LinkedIn profile recognized. Make sure the Banner Picture matches in terms of color schemes with your profile picture, to provide a unified overall feel. This really makes you stand out from the crowd.

Mogale Modisane, Power Tools Blog

Complete The Summary Section

I have noticed that many people skip the summary area, but it’s a terrific place for you to tell your own story, so don’t use it to simply list work responsibilities. Your summary should be brief and to the point, describing your previous experiences and present job responsibilities. Highlight specific accomplishments that you are proud of that indicate your abilities or progress toward your goals. It’s best to think of it as your elevator pitch. You just have 30 seconds to get your main points across. You may also show off your personality more on LinkedIn, so don’t be concerned about it being too official.

Gerrid Smith, Joy Organics

Keep Work History and Role Descriptions Easy To Follow

A strong resume is one that shows the strength of one’s career, such as how long you’ve stayed at companies, your list of duties for each job, etc. LinkedIn should work like a strong resume and a strong social media profile, showing strength of a resume in a clear format. Recruiters and potential bosses want to be able to look through at a glance and know who you are and how effective you’ll be. A messy profile suggests a messy work ethic, so keep it clean, and be concise when describing your roles to make them easy to follow.

Brett Estep, Insured Nomads

Ask for Recommendations

Ask your connections for recommendations to strengthen your profile. These recommendations from colleagues allow hiring managers to understand who you are as a worker, and your team members can vouch for you. It helps them determine if the skills and experience is a good fit for any open positions, and they’ll be eager to reach out and get in contact after seeing the messages. Team members can highlight your leadership or communication skills, for example. Not only does this strengthen your profile, but also leaders recruiters to your page and move forward with next steps.

Sara Adam Slywka, Nestig

Promote Others’ Content

Share your connections’ content while including a thoughtful response in the post to acknowledge what others are putting out into the world. Shifting the focus from ‘me’ to ‘we’ helps to open others up to more meaningful conversations; most people want to feel seen so tipping the proverbial hat publicly often has a greater impact than if solely sharing about oneself on Linkedin. Posts from your network about achievements, new roles, articles, interviews, and the like are simple examples of what is already being shown in your feed that you can easily reflect on and share, tagging the original poster or connections you feel the content may benefit. Social media is made for fostering connection, so taking the opportunity to spotlight others’ work and commentary helps validate their unique take while naturally allowing you to stand out as a supportive, engaged connection.

Tommy Chang, Homelister

Add Industry Terminology

Add industry terminology to your intro. According to LinkedIn data, listing industry information leads to up to 9% more profile views and can help you get discovered up to 38% more in recruiter searches. Making the best out of your LinkedIn is much easier when you know who you are trying to attract. Know your industry and know what types of jobs you want to attract. That way you can craft your header and about me section with Keywords that match your industry.

John Cheng, Baotris

Post Regularly in The Feed To Boost Visibility

Posting engaging content in the feed is a great way to gain exposure for your business or personal LinkedIn. If your posts are truly interesting, your connections will like and comment, which will increase the chances of your content being viewed by more users. Even if it just means sharing progress about a current or future project, every little bit helps.

Gerald Lombardo, The Word Counter

Tell a Unique Story in Your Bio

You really stand out from the crowd if you take advantage of your bio section and have fun with it. Tell a story that sets you apart from the others, that gives you a unique point of view of the work or of life, that shares your sense of humor or creativity. Your resume is already listed on LinkedIn, so make your bio be the place where your personality and uniqueness shine

Staci Brinkman, Sips by

Use Visuals

Why not use visuals? Honestly, when I’m drawn to a LinkedIn page it’s because there are compelling visuals. When someone adds photos to their work experience or summary section they’re creating a more in-depth and unique introduction for themselves. They automatically stand out with visual components because it adds another aspect to their profile. And, as a potential employer, I’m able to see how they might be a good fit for our team both energetically and skillset-wise. Take advantage of the visual component of LinkedIn to stand out, and don’t underestimate how powerful it is to combine images with the written word.

Tony Staehelin, Benable

Be Creative With a Concise and Commanding Headline

Take advantage of the headline. The headline’s right below the headshot and it’s the perfect way to draw in a potential employer. It’s what I immediately look at. To me, a headline is your chance to be creative, concise, and commanding. It tells me if you’d be a good member of our team, what your personality is like, and what skills you have – all in one little sentence. Don’t be afraid to use your headline to show off and attract attention, its whole point is to intrigue someone to read further… so have fun with it!

Karim Hachem, Sunshine79

Create a Personal URL

Create a personal URL! A lot of people don’t think about it when they are editing their profile, but your URL is the first thing a recruiter sees on your LinkedIn when you attach it to your CV. A personal URL with your name on it instead of a series of random letters and numbers is a quick and easy way to seem more professional. It also tells people you care about details. A personal URL is easier to share, recognize and find. If you are in a creative industry you can even add some flare to it. It’s really easy and it has a ton of advantages.

Soji James, 1AND1 Life

Be Your Unique Self

Be yourself. It’s easier said than done. How can we stand out if everyone is trying to stand out? Aren’t we all the same? The straightforward answer is: Nope. You are unique. There hasn’t been anyone quite like you and there won’t ever be anyone quite like you, so use it for your advantage. Have you ever asked yourself, “How can I be successful even though [fill in the blank]?” Even though I’m a woman, even though I’m younger than others, or even though I am queer? I’ll treat you to a little secret. 

Let’s flip this question and replace your “even though” with a juicy “because”: “How can I be successful because [fill in the blank]?” Because I’m not a native English speaker, because I am Asian, or because I’m new to this industry? All of a sudden your story becomes your superpower and your authenticity becomes the fuel of your brand.
Find your “even-thoughs”. Flip them to a juicy “because”. Watch your personal brand unfold, as unique and powerful as you are.

Manuel Schlothauer, HeyManuel.com

Terkel creates community-driven content featuring expert insights. Sign up at terkel.io to answer questions and get published. 

How To Write A Red Hot Resume

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Landing your dream role begins with writing an irresistible resume, although for some job seekers this can be easier said than done. Writing a resume can take hours, even a couple of days, and a lot of brain power to “sell yourself” to prospective employers.

At Career Connectors our mission is to help you successfully achieve the role you’ve been dreaming of, so we have broken down the overwhelming task of writing your resume into an easy to follow step-by-step process. Let’s get started! 

STEP 1: Prepare 

Resume writing can be a overwhelming and mentally draining task, so set yourself up for success by collecting all the information you need before you sit down to write. 

Create a checklist using the following points and tick each off as you gather the relevant information:

  • Previous job titles, including the date you started and left your role 
  • List of major accomplishments achieved within your positions
  • Your education history
  • Any training you have completed 
  • Any certificates you have achieved 
  • A list of the key skills you have gained from previous roles 
  • Volunteering work 

STEP 2: Design

While the information you provide is what will ultimately land you your dream role, a well designed resume helps you process through quickly as a top level candidate.

Stand out from the competition with an easy to read resume design:

  • Include plenty of white space on the page to avoid overwhelming the reader
  • Swap sentences for bullet points where necessary, such as beneath each role 
  • Format your resume chronologically with your most recent work history at the top of the page.
  • Choose one easy to read font for your cover letter and resume, such as Arial or Times New Roman.
  • Use font size and type intentionally. Make your name and section titles stand out by using bold and larger text. 

STEP 3: Execute

Now it’s time to get to work. 

We recommend keeping the information you share relevant, short and to the point. Your potential employer does not need to know about the retail job you had at 15 if you are applying for a tech role. Most resumes have about 1-2 pages of content. 

Starting from the top of the page, a job-winning resume will include the following:

  1. Heading: Your name, email address, contact number 
  2. Profile: Dedicate this section to what you have to offer the role in relation to what the hiring manager is looking for, this should be specific to each application.
  3. Qualifications: Skills, abilities, experience qualifications related to the role you are applying for.
  4. Work experience: Work history, including your job title, where you worked, the date you started and ended each role. Stating your accomplishments are essential in this section – do not list just responsibilities, list what you did with those responsibilities. Each sentence should provide a brief synopsis of your strongest accomplishments in the position.
  5. Volunteer experience (optional) If you have volunteer work that relates to the role you are applying for, include it beneath work experience. 
  6. Education history: List your highest education accomplishment first, with the name of the school, degree and graduation date.
  7. Certifications, Awards and Accomplishments: If you have achieved any certifications, awards and accomplishments that are relevant to the role you are applying for, list them beneath education history.

STEP 6: Edit

This is a valuable step that can mean the difference between a basic resume and a job-winning resume. 

When it comes to editing, we recommend the following two strategies:

Proofread your own work: Cut out long sentences and unnecessary words, and fix spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. Make sure all previous jobs use past tense and your current role uses present tense. A hiring manager won’t be impressed by your valuable qualifications if they have trouble reading your resume. 

Seek helpful feedback: Ask a resume expert to review your resume and offer feedback on how you can improve it. Everyone has a strong opinion on resumes so make sure you are getting guidance from the right people – those that can help your resume get through the applicant tracking system!

Once you have a strong resume foundation, you can change specific words that align with the different companies you are applying for. You can also cut out irrelevant jobs and skills that are not related to the specific role you are applying for. Now that the hard work is done it will be alot easier to keep your resume up to date as you gain more skills and qualifications and work experience. 

Once you have completed your job-winning resume, come along to one of our bi-monthly events for job seekers! This is an engaging and interactive experience where you can network with hiring companies, interview with prospective employers, and learn powerful techniques for landing your dream role from industry experts. 
Learn about our upcoming events here: https://careerconnectors.org/event-schedule

9 Ways To Build Instant Rapport in an Interview

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To help you build instant rapport during interviews, we asked CEOs and HR managers this question for their best insights. From showing enthusiasm and excitement to researching about the interviewer, there are several tips that may help you establish instant rapport in engaging with your interviewer. 

Here are 9 ways for building instant rapport in interviews:

  • Show Enthusiasm and Excitement
  • Engage Attentively
  • Dress to Impress
  • Express Gratitude
  • Align With The Interviewer
  • Convey Genuine Interest With  Open-ended Questions
  • Gauge The Atmosphere and Respond Accordingly
  • Share About Yourself Beyond Your Resume
  • Research About The Interviewer

Show Enthusiasm and Excitement

There’s no denying that landing a new job opportunity is an exciting endeavor and if you can bring these emotions to the forefront and let your enthusiasm shine through, you’ll make a great first impression. Moreover, by reminding yourself of all the reasons you’re applying to an organization, you immediately alleviate a lot of the stress associated with interviews since your attention is redirected towards the positive.

Harry Morton, Lower Street

Engage Attentively

While it’s common to feel some amount of nervousness during an interview, don’t let it drive the way you speak and react to conversations. By being mindful and present, you’ll be able to bring your best self forward and show your interviewer that you’re actively listening to everything they have to say. Take the time to pause and reflect on questions rather than saying the first thing that comes to your mind. This effortlessly highlights that you’re someone who takes the time to carefully think and respond to questions as opposed to being hasty.

Riley Beam, Douglas R. Beam, P.A.

Dress To Impress

Dress to impress, even if you are not sure what the normal work attire is at the company. It is better to overdress than underdress. Furthermore, putting effort into your attire is a sign of respect as it shows that you are taking the interview seriously. Even before the interview gets started, the interviewer will be able to tell by your attire how committed you are to the goal of working at this company.

Nick Shackelford, Structured Agency

Express Gratitude

Don’t just thank the employer for their time, make it sound genuine. Tell them how grateful you are for the opportunity and how much you enjoyed the conversation. Request their business card and follow up with a gracious, well-written email later that day. Many hospitality job seekers mistakenly believe that thank you notes are unnecessary, but they are incorrect. When it’s meaningful and emailed or hand-written, thank you can cement the rapport you’ve built with the employer and tip the scales in your favor if they are choosing between multiple qualified candidates.

Axel Hernborg, Tripplo.com

Align With The Interviewer

A job seeker can build instant rapport in an interview by finding one specific area of common ground. For instance, if the company’s mission statement focuses on proactive customer service, then discuss in length how your work ethic revolves around providing an exceptional customer experience. Continue to ask your interviewer friendly questions to further display your common interests. A better candidate is one that aligns themselves with a company’s mission statement and core values.

Bradley Hall, Sonu Sleep

Convey Genuineness With Open-ended Questions

Show genuine interest by asking open-ended questions, not only about the employer but the person interviewing as well. Building rapport is a necessary component of human connection yet it can be easily overlooked in an interview if we’re feeling anxious or worried. It is especially important to use these feelings as an indicator light to ask more questions and pay attention to what’s being shared, both verbally and non-verbally. 

For instance, asking specific questions about what their own employment experience has been like or how things have changed since they began at the company can help make that personal connection as well as teach you about the company culture, leadership, and recent history. Remember you are interviewing the company just as much as they are interviewing you, and it’s up to you to ask the right questions and do your due diligence when it comes to finding the right job fit.

Russell Lieberman, Altan Insights

Gauge The Atmosphere and Respond Accordingly

Reading your interviewer’s tone of voice, and the general atmosphere of the interview can help you build instant rapport with the interviewer. Most of the time, these non-verbal cues can help you structure your responses. If the interviewer starts off the interview with a joke, laugh out of politeness or crack a joke in response. If the interviewer shifts into more straightforward questioning, compose yourself and match their tone. This social perceptiveness helps you forge a genuine connection with your interviewer. When you match the energy that’s being put forth, the conversation becomes fairly smooth and harmonious. You might even come off as a good conversationalist!

Eric Ang, One Search Pro

Share About Yourself Beyond Your Resume

If you want to build instant rapport in an interview, share information about who you are outside of what is on your resume or in your application. Talk about what hobbies you enjoy and other things that can help build a connection with the people or person you are interviewing with. This can reveal common interests that can give you an increase in chances of getting hired.

Leo Livshetz, Unhide

Research About The Interviewer

The best way to build instant rapport with anyone with whom you have an interview (whether it’s for a job or a media interview) is to take a few minutes to find out about who they are, what they’ve done and any potential areas of interest and connection. I usually start on LinkedIn. This gives me an overview of their professional background as well as any contact information, websites, experiences and positions. 

While you can find some areas of connection in terms of education or experience, my favorite way to start a conversation is to read their posts and ask any questions that I may have about what they posted. I’ve also Googled people to see what other interesting information came up, usually I find something about their hobbies, interests, charities or other areas that are meaningful to them. This gives me the opportunity to ask questions that I know they will be excited to chat about.

Ivana Taylor, DIYMarketers

Terkel creates community-driven content featuring expert insights. Sign up at terkel.io to answer questions and get published. 

What To Say When Looking for a Job (Without Killing the Conversation)

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What is one way to say that you’re looking for a job, without killing the conversation?

To help you mention that you’re looking for a job without killing the conversation, we asked career experts and CEOs this question for their best insights. From talking about learning, not searching, to pitching an idea, there are several strategies that may help you mention your current job search, while maintaining a discussion.

Here are nine ways to say that you’re looking for a job, without killing the conversation:

  • Talk About Learning, Not Searching
  • Start a Conversation Using Social Media
  • Frame It Around Self-Improvement
  • Say You are Keeping Your Options Open
  • Ask for Advice
  • Mention Any Interviews You’ve Had
  • Take Advantage of Your Profile Picture
  • Start a Genuine Conversation First 
  • Pitch An Idea

Talk About Learning, Not Searching

One way to broach the topic of a job search without killing the conversation is to focus on learning rather than applying. By mentioning skills you are working on and topics you are studying, you can show that you are taking initiative on self-improvement and are serious about earning a better position. You can mention the goals of this learning, and incentive your conversation partners to offer job leads or introductions.

Tasia Duske, Museum Hack

Start a Conversation Using Social Media

Share content on your social media that showcases your knowledge. Let your contacts know that you’re up-to-date on the latest trends by sharing information about your expertise. When people see that you know what you’re talking about, they’re more likely to comply with an occasional request to assist with your job search. With the right preparation and mindset, you can tell your contacts that you’re looking for a job without scaring them off. Keep in mind, most people want to assist.

Paw Vej, Financer.com Ltd

Frame It Around Self-Improvement

No one is ever going to fault another for trying to improve themselves. Self-improvement is an admirable and worthwhile process, especially in the context of professional development. As such, if you’re looking for a job and don’t want to kill the conversation but need to mention it, frame your disclosure in the context of self-improvement. Make it clear you’re looking for a new job because you want to propel your career, develop your skills, and overall, just better yourself. There is no shame in wanting better for yourself, and people should respect that. The key is to be humble when explaining this. If you take a conceited or cocky tone when explaining your desire to be better, it might change the recipient’s attitude. So stay humble and simply explain you’re seeking self-improvement.

John Ross, Test Prep Insight

Say You are Keeping Your Options Open

Simply mention that you’re keeping your options open. You never want to come off as desperate or off-putting by deliberately asking for a job—especially towards connections that you haven’t properly established a rapport with yet. One way to smoothly say that you’re looking for a job is to do so in as less a soliciting way as possible. Try saying something like, “I’m eager to find a position that’s a good fit for me, so I’m keeping my options open.” This is a simple, non-conversation killing method to express your interest to find a job, without coming off as desperate or off-putting.

Michelle Arnau, Rowan

Ask for Advice

Frame mentioning your job search as asking for advice. If someone mentions that they’ve pursued a certain career or work in a specific industry you’re interested in, casually mention that you could use advice from someone like them about your career journey. Most people love to share about what they’ve learned. So not only will you subtly let them know you’re searching for a job, you’ll make a meaningful connection and get some good advice to boot!

Sara Bodner, Conklin Media

Mention Any Interviews You’ve Had

Mention any interviews you’ve had throughout your job hunt. Then you can continue the conversation into a discussion about how the interviews went and you could even end up getting some advice from those you are speaking with about interviews in general. Many people get nervous about interviews and struggle with them, so there’s bound to be many subtopics to discuss under this one.

Drew Sherman, Carvaygo

Take Advantage of Your Profile Picture

LinkedIn offers the option to edit your profile picture with the information #OpenToWork. What’s great about this option is that it lets you reach out to contacts and other resources without needing to mention the often awkward question of whether your contact knows of any work opportunities. You can focus on the conversation, and your contact, seeing your photo, can comfortably let you know if he or she knows of any opportunities. Just make sure you don’t change your profile picture if you’re still employed and haven’t told your employer you’re seeking a change–otherwise you can expect an even more awkward conversation with your current company.

John Jacob, Hoist

Start a Genuine Conversation First

To make your networking effective and subtle, you must first set the right context. How do you build up your case before you drop that key information? You should show respect by actually listening to the other person. Engage in the conversation genuinely, and ask questions to show interest. They’ll feel appreciated and thus more receptive to what you have to say later on. Then comes the tougher part. When you’re networking, an important skill to master is the art of speaking about your experiences and achievements without coming across as obnoxious, self-centered, or salesy. 

Pick out the right moment to talk about an exciting project you’ve worked on or a work-related curveball you’ve had and how you dealt with it. Add in some humor or unexpected twists to captivate the other person. Then ask if there are any similar projects the person knows of. If you want something different from what you’ve specialized in, say you’ve always wanted to get into “xyz” and take it from there.

Nicole Ostrowska, Zety

Pitch An Idea

At most places you would want to work, people dig what they do. If you’re looking for a job, show expertise by diving “into the weeds.” 9/10 times someone who loves their job will be happy to “talk shop.” Once talking through issues with their industry, projects, and so forth, show thoughtfulness in your responses, and maybe pitch an idea or two! Talk about past times you’ve solved problems related to what you’re talking through. And express genuine interest and excitement! Once you’ve talked through these topics, it’s not nearly as hard of “an ask” to say you’d like to get involved.

Merrill Cook, Arist

Terkel creates community-driven content featuring expert insights. Sign up at terkel.io to answer questions and get published.