“Network” Starring Faye Dunaway - Part 1

I pulled the wool over your eyes, didn’t I? This post is actually going to be about NETWORKING!

I’m just gonna get this out of the way - I hate networking. And I have a hunch that I’m not alone. Even the word “networking”…it sounds…like a dry bowl of oatmeal? You know what I mean? Texturally questionable.

Unfortunately, we have do to face some cold hard facts. The the era of company loyalty, the comforting possibility of pensions, and even a steady well-paying job? Those times are behind us - and, tbh, they may never come back.

Job-hopping is becoming the best way to earn a better salary. Though it’s pretty tough to officially measure, the average person will in the US will change careers between 3 to 7 times over a lifetime.

It’s becoming increasingly clear that having a successful career is not just about what you know - it’s about who you know. We don’t all have Uma Thurman or Kate Winslet in our corners to help us give us a leg up - but we can find our people.

Um, but, if you do know Kate Winslet though, tell her I loved her in Season 1 Episode 4 of “Mare of Easttown”!

We were lucky enough to have guest speaker Aria Lighty share some incredible tips for networking with our Claim Your Career cohort. These insights actually really helped me, a real curmudgeon if you couldn’t tell, re-frame my idea of what networking means and how it can actually feel authentic and not like you’re trying to squeeze into someone else’s shoes.

These spaces are often not built for those of us with marginalized identities. The gatekeeping is real. But, hopefully, some of these things will make networking a little less painful for all of us.

In Part 1, we’re going to dive into you!

Grab your Emotional Support Beverages and let’s get to it, my fuzzy little peach kittens 💨

I’m Kind Of A Big Deal

I have many leather bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany. If you didn’t already know that was from a movie that millennials cherish deeply, you’d probably believe me.

You kind of have to act like a bit of a big deal when you walk into a room.

I know…I know…but trust me.

Actually, trust Aria who wants you to step into your power! If you act like a big deal, people will believe you. Have you ever been in a space where someone walks in and immediately people are like, “whoa - the f*** is that?!”

The only difference between you and that person is that big-deal factor. Like Beyoncé says, you’re one of one. For me, embodying that Big Deal Energy translates to confidence and being myself as soon as I enter the room. I am incredibly self-deprecating and have a lot of internalized imposter syndrome so turning my confidence up to a level that almost feels uncomfortable gives me that boost I need. But, maybe for you, you might take a different approach!

The reason why this is so important when it comes to building connections is that you’re probably going to shift and move in your career. These relationships will be with you (hopefully 🤞) long after you move from that job or career to the next.

It’s All You, Kid

As you’re thinking about your Big Deal Energy - also important to remember: you should not be marketing a business or an organization. You are building your own name. You are marketing 💫 you 💫.

And why, you might ask? Remember - the average person will in the US will change careers between 3 to 7 times over a lifetime.

That is not to say that you shouldn’t mention where you work! By all means, brag according to your comfort level. Try to keep it to what you have done to make an impact with the folks you work alongside! Which brings us to…

And me? I’m the Hot One

I’m so happy we’re in the Paris Hiltonaissance right now. “Hot One” is actually a pretty great hype tune when you’re feeling blergh. Do what that what you will 😁

Sorry, sorry 😬 back to business →

You’re in the room. Your Big Deal Energy is on, you’re marketing yourself like a professional.

How do you want the people in this room to remember you?

This is something you’re going to want to be intentional about. As we all know people love to talk and if you’ve made an impression, at some point, they will be talking about you. What do you want that to look like? Do you want people to remember you as funny? Quirky? Serious? Generous? Daring? Resilient?

Live out those intentions through your actions. The more real that is to you, the more of an impression you’ll make.

Next Time on “Networking”

Phew - made it to the end of Part 1 👏 that wasn’t so bad, huh?

It’s also totally fine if it was a lot. It’s a fair amount to consider, but the good news is there really no hard and fast rules to this. Take what works for you. These are also things that you can build over time - no one is expecting Big Deal Energy overnight! Heck, even the most prestigious nepo babies don’t master that right away.

In Part 2, we’ll fill you in on the Who and the Where.

Who are your people?

Where are they?

Until we meet again, darling Neuroqueers 💗