Why Are We Always Talking about Networking?!
The single most important thing anyone can teach you as you transition is to build a broad and deep network.
In the military, we believe that the world is a meritocracy.
When I congratulated a company commander in my unit on his promotion to Major, he told me, "Show up at the right time, right place, in the right uniform 70% of the time and you too can make Major."
Although he was joking, there's truth in this hyperbole! The military has strict promotion rules that ensure every service member will have an opportunity to promote. You're guaranteed to at least go before a promotion board!
Imagine that instead of a systemic process that ensured every person goes before a promotion board, instead the promotion board only views the candidates that they personally know.
This is how hiring works! Let's look at why -
I post a job online.
I receive hundreds and hundreds of applications.
I have a full-time job with a boss who needs me to fill out TPS reports, respond to emails, attend 15 meetings today, and fight 12 different fires.
A Marine I used to work with tells me she is transitioning out of the military.
I know what she's capable of because I loved working with her at our last command. I ask if she has any interest in our company, and I make sure to interview her for this job.
I also remember the 2-3 people who I've spoken to over the last few weeks who were looking for jobs and had careers that lend themselves to this type of role. I make sure they interview as well.
Does this make sense?
But isn't networking a dirty word? It feels so transactional - yuck.
Networking should never be purely transactional.
Networking is just the professional term for "making some friends" over here in 1st Civ Div. You don't make friends so that you can ask them for favors, rather you choose to be a gracious and giving friend. You help your friends whenever you're able to do so, you connect them to other friends you think could help them, and you want the best for them.
When you treat networking as establishing genuine connections with people, you give them the opportunity to help you, and you embrace the opportunity to help them in return!
The point here is that you can't be considered for opportunities if nobody knows you exist.
Get on their radar, give generously, establish sincere relationships, and when opportunities to work together arise, you'll be top of mind. Similarly, when people in your network look to do business with you, you'll be able to help them.
There are two factors to consider when building a network - you want to build a broad and deep network.
What's a broad network?
A broad network reaches across industries, roles, and functions.
Breadth to your network ensures you have contacts you can reach out to from different backgrounds to help you in your career.
Here's a quick example -
I was working with a military veteran-owned startup to help them do some customer discovery.
We needed to learn more about the mining industry - what kind of technology do they use and is there a gap we could fill?
Fortunately, my college roommate worked in metals and mining investment banking - he was familiar with the landscape, helped us get a 30,000 foot view of the industry, and he knew who we should contact to drill deeper on the topic (hopefully you got the mining pun here).
It seems random, I know, but you never know where your career will take you!
What's a deep network?
I work in startups.
Having a broad network is great, but I also want depth to my network in the startups world. I want to know what everyone is building and who invests money in early stage companies.
A deep network is industry or role specific - if I'm a CFO of a hospitality SAAS business, I want to know all the other CFOs of hospitality SAAS businesses, I want to know every major hospitality company and who works there, along with a deep network of SAAS professionals.
Create depth in your career field of choice.
What if I don't know what I want to do for a career?
That's ok!
In fact, that's the norm. Most people change careers VERY frequently, especially in the first few years post-transition.
Networking will help you in two ways:
1. You will be top of mind for interesting opportunities that arise
2. You will learn more about a career field, industry, or role. This is intel you desperately need!
Stay Connected:
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3. Join us for our weekly office hours, every Sunday at 9 am PT.
4. Join us in person on 9/30 and 10/1 in NYC.