Accelerate your career #3: leverage your network

If you want to advance in your career, you can earn additional diplomas, attend conferences, and immerse yourself in networking circuits. It’s difficult to predict the return on investment of all those activities in terms of time, money, and energy. Often, however, your existing network has plenty to offer, even when you're looking to grow within your current organization. In the third part of our blog series, you can read more about this.

Your network is a key source of information on both career opportunities and concrete job prospects. For instance, former classmates often offer much more in this regard than the countless networking events where people exchange business cards. Experience shows that people only point out a job opportunity to someone once they know them better.

Hidden job opportunities

Your network can contribute to your career development in several ways: • You’ve shared your ambitions with people in your network. As a result, someone looking to hire might think of you.
• You gain access to hidden job opportunities—jobs that aren’t advertised because someone thought of you.
• Someone in your network recommends you, increasing your chances of landing your dream job.
• Someone in your network brings a job opening to your attention.
Internally, a network can be equally valuable. People who are aware of your skills, achievements, and ambitions may inform you sooner about upcoming opportunities. Think of a new internal project or a job opening due to organizational changes. Your colleagues may also recommend you for these opportunities.

Maintain and expand your network

It’s important to maintain and expand your network wherever possible. You can connect with people inside and outside your organization by working on projects with them. You can also volunteer or pursue studies where you meet professionals with similar interests. Or, help colleagues and participate in a mentorship program. As a mentor, you support young professionals in their development. Occasionally send a message or make a call to people in your network to show that you care and are thinking of them.

Platforms

Be active on platforms like LinkedIn as well. Keep your profile up to date and regularly share what you're working on to stay visible.
TIAS alumni form a network of like-minded professionals who share similar ambitions and learning goals. By attending a TIAS program, you expand your network with people from different sectors and countries. This network offers opportunities to make valuable contacts, exchange experiences, and gain new insights. During the program, you’ll connect with fellow students, professors, and guest speakers who can support you in your career development.
There are, of course, other, more creative ways to actively accelerate your career. What are they? You can read more in part four. 

Life Long Development

At TIAS, we strongly believe in Life Long Development: a continuous journey of learning and growth, both personally and professionally. We see personal and professional development as a golden combination. Growing as a leader is only possible when you truly get to know yourself. That’s why our programs focus on leadership development and transformation.

For every stage of your career

At TIAS, you’ll find a program tailored to your ambitions, learning goals, and career stage at every phase of your professional journey. Our programs help you bring out the best in yourself and create impact for your organization and society. Would you like to discuss how we can support you or your organization? Please contact one of our Program Advisers.