Master Class: Networking Without Awkwardness

During military transition, networking works best when you do the tasks of each networking “season” in order. In this master class, we talk about the four seasons of networking and what you need to do to be completely prepared to line up the job you want—without any awkward begging, pleading, or asking for a job.

1. Alien Winter: 9+ months before transition
   • Prepare and practice your “what kind of job” response with your preferred location and whether you prefer government/defense or industry.
   • Sign up for VSO programs or coaching.
   • Reach out to your fellow travelers.
   • Gather your Elliots—the guides most interested in your transition. (Watch the class to get the complete list of people who expect to assist you with your job hunt).  
2. Alien Spring: 3 – 9 months before transition
   • Watch our masterclass “Best Employers You Don’t Already Know” and download our exclusive list of non-defense employers with a military door. 
   • Make a list of top defense contractors and LURK on their website—collect job titles and job descriptions that interest you. These will give you the questions you need to ask when you talk to a recruiter or colleague.
   • Expand “career questions sessions” (aka informational interviews) to past work acquaintances currently in civilian work. Aim for at least 10. Some veterans (usually, these are extroverts!) are motivated by the game where you aim to talk to 100 people about jobs before you leave the service.
   • If you don’t know what to say during an informational interview or how to make it a productive use of your time, read my article, “10 Perfect Questions for an Informational Interview.”  
3. Alien Summer: 0 – 3 months before transition
   • Reach out to mentors, godmothers, and godfathers now that you have the industry vocabulary. Use the Chris Rock rule to demonstrate what you have already accomplished and prompt their insights.
   • Reach out to Mr. Keys—the professional veteran recruiters and sourcers (true extroverts!!) who are paid to find you and have open job listings.  
4. Alien Harvest: POST-transition job hunt
   • Master the art of “circle back around” to capture live job openings.
   • Take our FREE Interview Skills master class since formal interviewing is the final step of networking.
   • Attend our  masterclass: “Next Level Negotiation”

If you have any questions about the class, Rachael and I are always here to help you with your transition. Reach out to me at jacey.eckhart@monster.com. Or reach me on my LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaceyeckhart/