Networking can be hard. It can even be hard when you have an established network in an industry you know and understand. Launching yourself across the world to begin a job search without an established network (and in an unfamiliar business culture) can feel paralyzing. Double down that feeling if you are adding a new language into the mix…so, how do you begin networking from afar?
Many of our clients are arriving as part of a couple. One partner relocates and the other becomes tagged with the moniker “trailing spouse”. That term is outdated, but regardless it tells the story of one member of the partnership who needs to start completely from S.C.R.A.T.C.H. Let’s see how relo-to can help!
WHY IS NETWORKING FROM AFAR SO IMPORTANT?
We hear over and over again “the jobs you’ll end up interviewing for are not posted in the public domain” and “it won’t be your 1st or 2nd degree connections that will take you there. You need to mine for the 4th, 5th and 6th degrees of separation”. So knowing this, how do you network from afar? relo-to took some time to catch-up with some of our previous clients to hear from them what worked before they even left their home country. Here is what we learned about networking from afar…it’s a thoughtful, methodical approach that starts with effort by doing your research.
WHERE TO START?
- Drill down your experience, including transferable skills and update your resume to the host country’s relevant standards. Your C.V. needs to adjust to the new culture
- Connect to your Alumni group to see who is in the city you’re moving to and capture those names
- A LinkedIn Premium account is worth considering…and it’s a free upgrade for the first month
- Do a location search to see who you know in your new city and which connections have a connection in your new city. Capture those names
- Build a spreadsheet as a ‘project management tool’ to document your contacts, further requests, actionable items and thank-you notes sent. (Yes, you must write thank-you notes!)
- With your project management tool in place, start reaching out. Be specific with people what your goals are: are you looking for an introduction or industry information, market guidance or competitive info? Also, consider adding a personal element into the mix. People love to talk about themselves and where they live, i.e. “what areas are great to live in” or “I’d love to hear about the foodie scene”
- Research and follow the companies and associations in your desired industry – but consider focusing on the ones you believe will be within reasonable commuting distance to your new home
- Stay on top of industry knowledge, trends, competition and regulations – join groups on LinkedIn, sign-up for Google Alerts and get to know the local and national business news and trade media
- It’s probably worth balancing your search by connecting to recruiters and familiarizing yourself with the most popular job board sites. Just don’t be disappointed if you don’t get a reply…it’s not you. It’s them.
- Finally…remember to pause and reflect to gauge what is working…and what might be changed
FINALLY – YOU’VE GOT THIS!
What we hear repeatedly is that people really are happy to respond and to help! Anthony, one of our recent clients started with 5 solid contacts before leaving the Netherlands. Once he’d arrived and starting plugging in, those 5 contacts expanded to 76 solid connections in 4 weeks – all made through introductions. The corollary to this was that it helped increase his confidence, meant he met some amazing people…and learned a little more about the ‘foodie scene’! Go Anthony, Go!
Oh…and he wanted to mention this – don’t forget to repay the favour! 🙂