Your Network Builds Your Career More Than Your Resume
From the The Young Project Manager Blog
by William Meller
Early in your career, you feel this urgency. You want things to happen fast. Big goals, big results, big recognition. You rush to open doors, to grab the first good opportunity. But then comes the real question: who can actually help you take those first steps?
In the beginning, everything feels difficult. Challenges appear from everywhere, in all shapes. And often, you are left wondering if you’re even on the right path.
It’s normal. We all want to achieve great things early. That rush to “get there” is part of being young and ambitious. But here’s something you need to remember: careers are not built in sprints. It’s more like a slow, steady climb. Not glamorous, but solid.
What really matters is not how fast you move. It’s that you keep moving. One step. Then another. No matter the size of the step. Progress is progress.
Now, let’s talk about something people forget: there’s no magic formula for a successful career. No “one-size-fits-all” rule. So many things influence your path — the company you work for, the people you meet, the environment you’re in. Things you can’t control. But there’s one thing you can control: your own effort and dedication. That’s always yours.
Still, you won’t get far alone.
Your network — the people you connect with — plays a huge role. Often bigger than you expect. Opportunities come from conversations. From relationships you built long before you needed them.
That’s why you should focus on giving, not taking. Help people. Share what you know. Be someone useful, someone who adds value to others. And do it without expecting anything back. The funny thing is, when you stop chasing immediate returns, the right opportunities tend to find you. It might take time, but they do.
This is how I try to live every day. I want to be someone people remember as valuable, as trustworthy. And that’s what builds a strong network.
Be confident. Trust the relationships you are building. People can open doors you didn’t even know existed.
But first, you have to be the kind of person they want to open doors for.
Posted on: November 01, 2017 06:38 AM |
Permalink
Comments (8)
Please login or join to subscribe to this item
Stéphane Parent
Self Employed / Semi-retired| Leader Maker
Prince Edward Island, Canada
The tricky part is understanding where people are on their journey. Sometimes they just are not ready for your feedback.
Dinah Young
Project Manager / Software Asset Manager| Prince William County
Springfield, Va, United States
I agree with Stephane, but I will say that you usually find out very quickly if someone is not open to you helping them. Just do not take offense. Sometimes you step back and find them coming back to you later.
I actually love mentoring our young interns and coaching my peers. What I get back is just the reward of knowing I helped.
Vincent Guerard
Coach - Trainer - Speaker - Advisor| Freelance
Mont-Royal, Quebec, Canada
Stephene comment is right for both party to the equation.
Consistent & sustainable growth is always preferred
The choices we make when starting a career are so important. Listening to those with experience is crucial, and often ignored in youth.
As Pablo Picasso said: "It takes a long time to become young.”
Pier Luigi Calabria
Project Manager| INFORM Institut für Operations Research und Management GmbH, Aachen, Germany
Aachen, Germany
But also identifying the right mentor is crucial.
Luis Branco
CEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, Ldª
Carcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
Dear William
Interesting your perspective on the topic: "People: Who can really support the beginning of you career"
Thanks for sharing
Important point to remember:
"Always try to help and contribute to people. Show that you can be someone who adds something of value to their lives and their careers. Make sure that if you do this, without always trying to get something back, you can see the right chances come at the right time. But again, don't do things expecting something in return. "
Please Login/Register to leave a comment.
"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life. It goes on."
- Robert Frost
|