Welcome back to Design a Career You Love where I help corporate professionals like you design, build and navigate your high impact career with clarity and confidence. ✨ If someone forwarded you this email, subscribe here so you won't miss out on future editions.

Earlier this year I was speaking with a friend who started volunteering on a nonprofit board. He wasn’t doing it to find a job - he just wanted to support a cause he cared about.

But shortly after starting, someone on the board asked, “So what do you do in your day job?”

He said, “I help fast-growing teams improve their communication and operations so they don’t burn out while scaling.”

That led to a referral. A few weeks later, he was talking to a Series B startup about a role that hadn’t even been posted.

This wasn’t a “networking” tactic. It was simply the result of showing up, contributing, and being able to clearly explain his skill set.

Weak ties drive opportunity

Researcher Mark Granovetter coined the phrase “The Strength of Weak Ties” to explain how opportunities often come from people we’re loosely connected to - not our closest friends.

These "weak ties" include people like old coworkers, former managers or people you met once at a conference. These “weak ties” expose you to different opportunities and networks that you wouldn't normally experience.

That’s where new roles often show up first.

Formal vs informal networks

Here are some examples of formal and informal networks (that you're already part of).

Formal networks:

• LinkedIn groups
• Industry associations
• Alumni networks

Informal networks:

• Parent circles
• Community associations
• Faith communities
• Local nonprofits
• Hobby or neighborhood groups

When you participate in a community consistently - not to job search, but to contribute - people get a sense of who you are. That trust builds naturally. And when something comes up? You’re top of mind.

Know how to talk about what you do

In order to capitalize on the networks you're part of, you need to hone one specific skill.

You need to be able to describe your work easily and clearly so that anyone can understand.

When I was consulting, I could have introduced my work by saying, "I'm a management consultant at KPMG." This is an okay answer. But it relies on the listener understanding what the heck a management consultant does and it relies on the listener knowing something about KPMG. These are a lot of assumptions!

Or I could reframe my answer to focus on who I served and what the outcome of my service was.

Try this framework:

For example:

Or:

This reframe opens up the answer to a broader audience and allows more people to engage. It’s not about memorizing a script - it’s about being confident, clear, and comfortable talking about your value.

What real networking looks like

→ Start small​
Reply to a newsletter (like this one!). Comment on a post. Send a quick thank-you note. Build momentum.

→ Make it personal​
Don’t just ask for time - explain why you’re reaching out. Add context. Keep it short.

→ Be specific when you ask​
Say, “Would you be open to introducing me to someone on your marketing team?”
Don’t say, “Let me know if you hear of anything.”

→ Stay in touch​
Send a brief update once a quarter. Mention something you noticed. No pressure - just presence.

Back to my friend from earlier

That nonprofit wasn’t a strategic move. But it turned out to be the best thing he could’ve done.

By showing up and being clear about what he does, someone connected him to an opportunity he didn’t even know existed.

That’s what works.
Not cold messages.
Not chasing job boards.

Just consistent value, clear communication, and showing up where it counts.

Want to build a network that works - without feeling like you’re “networking”?​
👉 Click HERE to book a free Career Strategy Call​

We’ll build a strategy that fits your goals and your life.

Beckie

​

When you’re ready, here's how I can help you land a new role:

Your Complete Career Transformation

My signature one-on-one coaching program will help you get clear on what’s next for your career, plus upgrade your story, sales documents (resume, cover letter & LinkedIn profile) and strategy to confidently transition into a career that fuels your life, making Mondays the best day of the week. Apply Here.​

​