Ep. 22: Networking Landed Me 6 Amazing Job Offers In 4 Years

Career Design Podcast

Episode 22: Networking Landed Me 6 Amazing Job Offers in 4 Years

SPEAKERS

Misha, Lindsay

Lindsay 00:00

I'm Lindsay Mustain and this is the career design podcast made for driven ambitious square pegs and round holes type professionals who see things differently and challenge the status quo. We obliterate obstacles and unlock hidden pathways to overcome and succeed where others have not stagnation feels like death. And we are unwilling to compromise our integrity and settle for being average in any way. We are the backbone of any successful business and those who overlook our potential are doomed to a slow demise. We do work that truly matters aligns with our purpose, and in turn, we make our lasting mark on the world. We are the dreamers, doers, legends, and visionaries who are called to make our most meaningful contribution and love what we do.
Lindsay00:42

Today, I am so excited for this episode of the career design podcast of how networking landed me six amazing job offers in four years. And I want to introduce you to Misha Linn. Now, Misha is actually a member of my coaching team. And she's been with me nearly since the beginning for nearly four years. And in that time, she's also one of my best students in intentional career design and really using networking to create opportunities. I mean, six job offers. Now three of those are internal to roles but doing that in four years. That's absolutely crazy. And it's how you change the game. And I want to talk a little bit about what happens in networking and around the mindset. So we should tell us a little bit about yourself and really the mindset around networking.

Misha 01:27

Yeah, um, so as Lindsay mentioned, I've been with her for years now. So I am also a technical recruiter at one of these really big companies, I'm sure you all know it. And I've been recruiting for almost six years at this point. Um, and then when I am networking, I think one of my best things is, at work, I tried to present my own brand of just being a positive person and a real person like that. Not everything is always sunshine and roses. But I still tried to bring a that good attitude to work and I have had co-workers refer me into roles throughout my life, my career, especially since working within the talent paradigm with Lindsay, just really building those connections and getting in.

Lindsay 02:18

So one thing that's amazing about Misha, is that Misha came to me from a referral. And Misha has I mean, her work quality is so, so amazing that even though she wasn't I think you had about two years of experience, basically, when you came to me and joined my team, that her positioning and the way that she was able to bring her skills into the business, the quality of her work product really impacted her reputation and her brand. And she got tapped on the shoulder for a lot of different opportunities. So talk to me about getting approached for different opportunities, whether it's from me or other people, how have you been able to lean into that?

Misha 02:55

Yeah, um, I think the number one thing that it's hard to mention it, um, but letting people know when you are starting to put some feelers out there. Because especially with people that you trust, because they're the ones that are going to be able to start to poke around for you a little bit, and then also speak to you. So no one knows if you're too present you if you're not open about it, but then also having connections that bring your name up in rooms that you're not in is really interesting. And that's actually from the role that I was working in that when I met Lindsay. I was a referral in there. And that was somebody that I had worked with for about a year and a half. And then the next role I took with Lindsay was that same person actually referred me in. But I had been telling her all about Lindsay and how I've been like following Lindsay on LinkedIn for two years. And I was always liking her posts. And she was like, Hey, I think I'm meeting that person that you always are talking about. I was like, oh, I'm like fangirling over here. But have you like that amazing connection. Um, and then from there, I met another connection at that job that I was working. And I have really been wanting to move. I've been in the scientific world. And I really wanted to move into the tech world. And I was very open about that. And I had a co-worker then refer me to a tech position and start to really build out my connections there. And then Lindsay actually referred me into a startup that was a great like foothold into the corporate space and then another recruiter for admission to my current role. So it's just been a lot of referrals like I definitely have applied after the referrals, but I haven't had to do a full cold opening in four years since especially with you Lindsay

Lindsay 04:48

So this is amazing because one of the things I think that you that we're talking about, that doesn't happen well intentional career design. So one thing about Misha is her belief in what she could do and the attitude that she brings to the table was one of the first things. But the other part was that she looked at every person that she encountered professionally as an opportunity to network. And so a lot of your best advocates are already existing, and they're people you're talking to already, but I like the idea of being open to that. So how do you start with those conversations? What are some best practices?

Misha 05:20

Um, I think still trying to be very positive about things, especially since you don't know how long it's going to be until you're able to make a move. Um, but then also like, letting them know what you're used to your long-term goals are, like, I'm really passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion. And that also has people knowing that I can be somebody that they definitely want to represent. And not being that like not being negative, like really, so being like, knowing you're going to be in that role. And then, knowing that I can do it, I think, especially moving from science to tech was a big one, just like saying that you don't, I'm doing all this research. Um, and this is what is gonna make me an asset here. And then I actually started I still internally within my company, but I started a new role today, actually. And that one was through internal networking, I was on a team. That was great, but it was non-tech. So it wasn't necessarily like in my wheelhouse as much. And I really, really wanted to move back into this tech space. And I have been talking to one of my co-workers, and he actually heard about an opportunity from one of my co-workers from a different team, and let them know, like, hey, Misha is open, and she actually pings me right away. And then within five minutes, I was talking to her manager. And within I think two weeks, I was getting a new internal offer. So I'm really making it intentional that you are open, but also like still being positive and knowing that it might not happen right away. But building that solid foundation and relationships are always going to get you further. Um, then you know, some of those cold reach outs and things like that.

Lindsay 07:16

I love this. And I think this is one way when people are talking about networking, like start with your warm network first. So I'm going to recap those. So first thing, I don't want to be deliberately negative on this one, no being negative. So always be positive would be the opposite of that. Own your genius own what it is that you're good at and be willing to speak your truth. And the last thing is to share what you're passionate about. So if you understand what you want to do what you're good at. And if you're positive about that you're looking for the next opportunity. That's not a way of disparaging anything that you're happening existing, but that you're ready to think about what's next. It's a great way for you to set a course into your next career role. Exactly. Fantastic. Well, Musa, thank you so much for joining me today. How can people connect with you if they want to learn more about you?

Misha 08:00

Um, LinkedIn is a great place, I will say I do work at a very large company. So I have tons and tons of connections. But if you specifically call out on talent paradigm or this podcast, I'll definitely make sure to peek at your message, rather than, again, a lot of those cold networking messages I get.

Lindsay 08:20

And here's your hint, guys, this is a normal form and networking opportunity. So take it. And thank you so much, Nisha, I appreciate you and thank you for four years, and also it's Lisa's birthday this week. So we're gonna say congratulations on your new opportunity. Your birthday and I think you got a new job. Do you get a new car and a new house?

Misha 08:38

Yes,

Lindsay 08:39

Yeah, life is winning for you. So intention unlocks everything that you could ever want. Start being thoughtful about what you want and know that you can achieve anything. Thanks for joining me today.