Sometimes we assume that those closest to us know what it is we do or what we strive to do in our careers. But your adult child who is seeking career help should never be too sure. Encourage your son or daughter to take these steps to make the most of close-knit ties and further develop his or her networking system:
• Find ways to work their job or their job needs into conversations. Even if your son or daughter thinks their companions or family members know their interests and goals, it is important for them to communicate those goals periodically.
• Send a group email with a virtual business card explaining that they would like to reach out professionally and to encourage friends and family to pass on their name to their contacts, as well.
• Keep their business cards on them at all times. Your adult child may be concerned with taking up too much of their friend’s or family’s time discussing professional topics. Encourage them instead to simply hand out their business card while mentioning that they are looking for job prospects and to pass on their card to any interested parties.
• Use holiday and familial gatherings to connect with those who may have experience or knowledge of their desired industry. Encourage your son or daughter to do a little homework before any gathering so they are ready with questions, as well as their own ‘plug’ to use within this built-in network.
Who your son or daughter knows can help put them on their path to success. And who they know may be in their own back yard! Work with them to develop their innermost network to help them find their niche in the career path of their choosing.
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