April 16 / In Person Workshop / Please Call 204-989-6503 To Register

May 14 / In Person Workshop / Please Call 204-989-6503 To Register

It’s absolutely true that networking can be a key factor in landing a job, and Career Conversations are a fantastic way to build those connections. Here’s how you can set up and conduct a meaningful Career Conversation:

1. Identify the Right Person to Reach Out To

• Research: Find someone who is doing the kind of work you’re interested in or someone who has a role you aspire to. LinkedIn, industry events, or company websites are great places to start.
• Commonality: If you don’t have a direct connection, look for any mutual connections, alumni networks, or shared interests to help make your outreach more personal.

2. Craft a Thoughtful Initial Message

Your message should be brief but show that you've done some research on the person’s background and explain why you respect their work. Here's a simple structure:

• Introduction: Who you are and why you're reaching out.
• Compliment or reason for admiration: Mention a specific project or aspect of their career that you admire or that resonates with your goals.
• Request: Ask for a brief Career Conversation, either through a virtual coffee chat or a short meeting. Be specific about the time you’re asking for, e.g., “Would you have 20 minutes to chat in the next week or so?”

Example: "Hi [Name], I’ve been following your work at [Company] and was impressed by your recent project on [specific topic]. I’m currently exploring a career in [industry/role], and I’d love to hear your advice on how to get started. Would you be open to a brief 20-minute chat to share your experience?"

3. Prepare for the Conversation

• Research: Understand the person’s background and career path. This will help you ask thoughtful questions and keep the conversation engaging.
• Questions to Ask: Focus on their journey, challenges they’ve faced, and advice they’d give someone just starting. Examples include:
  • "How did you get started in this field?"
  • "What skills do you believe are essential for success in this industry?"
  • "What do you wish you had known earlier in your career?"
  • "How do you see this field evolving in the next few years?"

4. Engage in the Conversation

• Be Curious and Respectful: Ask insightful questions and listen actively. This isn’t just about you getting information—it’s about building a relationship.
• Be Brief and Conscious of Their Time: Stick to the agreed time frame (e.g., 20-30 minutes). Respect their time, even if they’re willing to talk longer.

5. Follow Up

• Send a Thank You Email: Within 24 hours, thank them for their time and insights. Express your appreciation for their help.
• Stay in Touch: Share updates on your career progress or any advice they gave you that helped. If they’ve given you a helpful resource, mention how you’re using it.

Example Follow-Up: "Hi [Name], I just wanted to thank you again for taking the time to chat with me about [topic]. I found your advice on [specific advice] incredibly valuable and am already working on [action you’re taking]. I hope we can stay in touch!"

6. Leverage the Conversation for Further Opportunities

• If appropriate, ask for referrals to others in the industry or even opportunities to collaborate. For example:
  • "Is there anyone else in your network who you think I should connect with to learn more about [specific topic]?"

7. Consistency is Key

• Career Conversations aren’t just one-off events. Continue to reach out to others, build a network of professionals, and continue learning from them. The more relationships you nurture, the more opportunities you’ll uncover.

By approaching these conversations with a genuine interest in learning and connecting, you can significantly grow your network and position yourself for career success—whether or not you know the “right people” at the start.

What Clients are Saying

• Confidence, due to a better understanding of the whole “Career Conversation” concept.
• How strategic career conversations are!  I can get a job right away or very valuable career information
• Career conversations are not only to learn about the career, but are relationship building
• How to conduct an career conversation, start to finish.
• I can write my branding on a card, and rehearse before I am out and about networking
• How to brand myself better as well as a better understanding of the skills that I want to develop.
• It was nice to be able to talk about the fears about career conversations. Taking a perspective that since you are not asking for a job, you cannot get rejected was helpful. Once I am ready to take this step, I feel like taking this mindset will help to alleviate some of the pressure and anxiety about career conversations.