The work does not look: it attracts . It is a mantra that we repeat often, especially when we talk about personal branding . But in addition to taking care of your online image, there is another factor that conditions your ability to attract new career opportunities in the nonprofit : the building of relationships .
Experience, educational qualifications, soft skills and technical skills represent the first step to place yourself in the job market. However, in order to increase the chances of placing yourself professionally it is necessary to build a network of contacts within the sector of your competence.
We are not talking about nepotism or recommendations. We don’t believe that being friends with… is a right requirement for professional growth. By building relationships, we mean, rather, the ability to attract people who can offer you interesting career opportunities. People of flesh and blood, to whom to shake hands and to deal with.
Let’s try to give you some advice on how to build your professional network .
Leverage your current network
One of the first steps is friends of friends . If you believe that some of the people in your circle may be in contact with professionals in your sector, do not hesitate to ask them to contact you: dinner is enough.
Take an active part in community life
When we imagine the world of non-profit, our mind lingers on the organizations, among the best known, of a humanitarian nature . Yet, the third sector galaxy is much larger and more rooted in our lives and in our everyday life. These are realities so permeated into our social fabric that we don’t even realize it.
In fact, the vast world of non-profit organizations includes, for example, sports associations , trade organizations , trade unions, foundations and cultural clubs. All entities that may need your professionalism, in the future or in the immediate future.
Actively participating in the activities of your city, your country or your neighborhood will put you in contact with many professionals . Try to think how many people you can meet while coaching the football team of the very young in your neighborhood: managers, collaborators, parents of the children.
Attend industry events
Festival web marketing, workshops on fundraising or forum on development cooperation . Whatever your area of ​​expertise, always be updated on events in your city, or near you.
In addition to being an important moment in your training, these are situations in which it is very easy to form relationships with other professionals like you, exchange ideas and make contacts.
But in addition to the big events, don’t miss the small initiatives: book presentations, charity aperitifs or neighborhood debates.
Maintain contact with your former colleagues
When an experience ends, don’t make a clean sweep. In fact, yesterday’s collaborators can turn into opportunities for the future .
Sometimes a former colleague of yours decides to pursue a new project and may need your skills again. Furthermore, we are talking about professionals who already know you and with whom you probably already have a relationship of mutual trust .
Make sure that your past experiences continue to enrich you, also from a human and relational point of view.
Maintain contact with former classmates and professors
Similar speech for those who have lived with you the fabulous years of the University . Again, roads branching off in different directions can meet again. Do not miss the opportunity to organize periodic repatriations, what can happen? At worst you will spend a pleasant evening with old friends.
Keep in touch with your teachers too . Try to exchange periodic emails, where, perhaps, you ask for some advice or opinions, on a certain topic of your personal sphere.
Volunteer
We’ve often written it: volunteering is one of the most enriching experiences you can have. But it’s also a good way to meet new people and build connections.
Among the various skills that this experience can bring you, the relational ones are among the most interesting. The network that is created between volunteers and former volunteers is very strong, precisely because the experience shared together is intense.
Join the National Civil Service
The Civil Service is a hybrid experience between volunteering, work and training. This means that, in terms of relationships, you will have the ability to make contacts with a huge range of personalities:
- established professionals ;
- volunteers ;
- trainers;
- colleagues and collaborators .
A unique opportunity, which can only be done once in a lifetime. Take advantage of it.
Community
Digital is also important. Try to be active users within your industry’s online community. Take part in the topics dedicated to professionals like you:
- online forum ;
- Facebook groups ;
- Linkedin groups ;
- industry blog .
Digital, in this sense, widens the opportunities, eliminating the geographical gap. Finally, it minimizes the time you would spend holding meetings, attending a convention or organizing a business dinner.
