Building Industry Connections

Association meetings aren't just events; they're gold mines for opportunities waiting to be discovered. But here's the catch: these chances don't just fall into your lap; you've got to be in it to win it. Being present in your community, genuinely engaging with others, offering a helping hand, and letting your true self shine through—this is how you lay the groundwork for those unforeseen options that could skyrocket your career. Think about it. If people don't get the chance to know, like, and trust you, you're off their radar when opportunities pop up. Your future success hinges on what you do today. So, here’s a challenge: pick two business groups related to your field, either local or national trade associations. Dive into every event they offer, both online and in person. The goal? To not just show up, but follow up. Connect with the folks you meet, sing the group's praises on your social media, and genuinely invest in these relationships. Be active for a year or two. The aim is to bring at least one or two people into your inner circle. Because, let's be real, having a genuine connection with someone is infinitely more valuable than a thousand LinkedIn contacts you barely know. This isn't about collecting names; it's about building real, meaningful connections. Invest in people, and the opportunities will follow. It’s a simple equation that could make a significant difference in your career. Let’s make those interactions count and watch as doors start opening in ways you never imagined. If you work in Austin in or around "tech"...maybe check out the Austin Technology Council. You can start by going to the April 24th breakfast. Or the May breakfast. And you can get involved with the Austin Tech Hall of Fame event in June. I am happy to help you connect within ATC. As we reshape the organization, we need the real civic minded leaders to engage and share their ideas. #associations #tradeassociations #networking #careersuccess

When I was in my 20s, people would tell me, “You need to network in the construction industry if you want to build a solid career.” At the time, I didn’t fully understand what they meant or how to even get started. It felt overwhelming, and I had no clear direction. Now, years later, I’ve learned what they were trying to say—and it’s been a game-changer for my career. Here’s the blueprint I wish I’d had back then: 1️⃣ Research industry associations in your area that align with your interests and goals. 2️⃣ Choose one that benefits both your company and your professional growth. 3️⃣ Pitch your participation to your boss—explain how your involvement will add value to your role and the business. 4️⃣ Join their young professionals group to connect with like-minded peers. 5️⃣ Find a committee on their website and get involved. Committees are where the real connections happen. 6️⃣ Show up consistently to events. Networking isn’t a one-time effort—it’s about being present and engaged. 7️⃣ Expand your LinkedIn network by connecting with the people you meet. Don’t forget to invite them to follow your company page! Here’s the truth: Networking is a skill. Like any skill, it takes time, effort, and consistency to master. I dedicated myself to this process for 18 years. It wasn’t easy at first, but each time I showed up, it got a little easier. Then one day, I looked around the room and realized something incredible—what once felt like a room full of strangers had become a community of peers, friends, and colleagues. The construction industry is smaller than it seems, and those connections you build today will become the foundation of your career tomorrow. So keep showing up. Keep building. The opportunities ahead will amaze you.

🌟 Three Things Every New Professional Should Know About Industry Conferences & Associations 🌟 Over the years, I’ve seen how valuable conferences and associations can be for building a career in construction and facilities maintenance. For anyone new to the industry, here are three rules I wish someone had told me earlier: 1️⃣ Focus on the future of the industry Pay attention to how technology, AI, and automation are reshaping construction and maintenance — from predictive scheduling and vendor dispatching to design-build innovations. Also, look for sessions on mentoring and succession planning so knowledge can be passed from seasoned professionals to the next generation. 2️⃣ Invest in relationships, not just skills This industry runs on trust, reliability, and follow-through. Build your network early, join associations, and never be afraid to pick up the phone to solve a problem. Surround yourself with good people and always be willing to learn from veterans. 3️⃣ Understand the power of connections One conversation at a conference can turn into a 20-year partnership. Take advantage of every networking opportunity, don’t be shy about introducing yourself, and remember everyone is here to share and learn. 💡 Conferences and associations aren’t just events — they’re communities that can shape your entire career if you stay active and engaged. 👉 What advice would you share with someone attending their first industry conference? Drop your thoughts in the comments — I’d love to hear them. And if you’re just starting out in construction or maintenance, feel free to connect with me here on LinkedIn.

Leveraging Connections: How Relationships Lead to Opportunities  You’ve applied to your dream job, but haven’t heard back. With hundreds of applicants per opening, how do you get your resume noticed? As a recruiter, I’ve seen mediocre resumes get selected through employee referrals. The secret is strategic networking to build relationships that lead to endorsements. Here are tips for getting connected: - Attend industry events and seek out warm introductions to company insiders. A familiar contact expedites visibility. - Join professional associations and engage with members at target employers via forums and social media. Become known. - Volunteer for nonprofits connected to the company. Giving back grabs goodwill and gets you on radars. - Follow and provide value to recruiters and hiring managers through insightful comments. Become a known asset. - Ask trusted contacts to submit your resume directly if possible. Referrals often lead straight to interviews. With an expanded professional network and nurtured relationships, you can open previously closed doors. Don't just apply anonymously and cross your fingers. Strategically build community and social capital to access hidden opportunities. I'm happy to share more relationship-building tips to land your dream role! #SocialCapital #RelationshipBuilding #DreamJob #JobSearchTips #Referrals #EmployeeReferrals #GettingHired #LandYourDreamJob #TapYourNetwork #LeverageConnections #WarmIntroductions #HiddenJobMarket #JobHunting #HiringInsights #RecruiterTips #CareerGoals #CareerDevelopment Copy Retry

The power of long-term connections for your biotech/pharma job search A common piece of advice is that people should make industry connections via coffee chats when they begin their job search. I’d like to challenge that; if you are just starting to have coffee chats by the time you are on the job market, you are late. Story time. Years ago, a second-year college student (we’ll call him Adrian) found me on the alumni directory and wanted to learn more about working as an industry computational biologist. I gave him some pointers about how best to use his time in a neuroscience lab to build towards that goal. A year later, as a third-year, he reached out again to give me an update about what he had done. He had executed my advice almost exactly. I appreciated the thoughtful update. It was respectful, brief, and proactive. A few months later, I had an opening for a summer intern. Guess who I asked to interview for the position? Who else? Because of Adrian, I didn’t even post the internship publicly; no one else stood a chance. I had a long-term view of how Adrian has developed himself and already knew that he would do well as an intern. He essentially had the internship even before it existed. A handful of high-quality industry connections is more work to cultivate than hundreds of LinkedIn cold messages. But it also opens more doors. #biotech #pharma

Building Bridges- Why Networing Matters Networking and collaborating with peers in your industry is essential for personal and professional growth because it opens doors to career opportunities, such as referrals and mentorship, that might not be publicly available. By engaging with others in your field, you stay updated on industry trends, gain new skills, and learn from different perspectives, which fuels innovation and problem-solving. Building strong professional relationships also provides support, motivation, and accountability, helping you navigate challenges with confidence. Additionally, networking enhances your reputation, positioning you as a credible and influential figure in your industry, which can lead to speaking engagements, partnerships, and leadership roles. Over time, these connections create a foundation for long-term success, making it easier to adapt to market changes and explore new ventures. To build a meaningful network, attend industry events, participate in online forums, offer value to others, and maintain genuine relationships. Ultimately, networking isn’t just about who you know—it’s about fostering mutual growth and creating opportunities that benefit everyone involved. Follow me on LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/dNqiAbPG

The #constructionindustry is full of people who simply get stuff done. So, I get it when people tell me, “I’m not really into networking.” Here’s the thing, networking WILL grow your career, BUT you don’t have to go to a single “networking event” to do it effectively. Here are 5 ways to naturally grow your career through networking: 1.    Know your network. When we ask for references as construction recruiters, some candidates struggle to provide names of people who know their work product outside of their current supervisors. The reality is that construction managers have a vast network at their fingertips. Subcontractors, architects, developers, owners, former colleagues, former managers, and even former subordinates can fill up a list of references without much thought. 2.    Keep in touch with the people you ALREADY know. While it may be a little strange to reach out to someone you haven’t spoken with in years to get a reference, trust me: this is fine. The goal, however, should not be getting a good reference down the road; the goal should be maintaining relationships. Saving contacts in your phone is a beautiful life hack. Haven’t used a sub in six months but had a great working relationship with them? Call and check in; ask about what they are seeing in the industry. Saw a project go up downtown and realize your college classmate is part of the GC building it? Shoot and text and be curious. Touch base, check in, and you won’t believe what can happen to your network. 3.    Take a lunch. Will you have time for a business lunch every single day? No, this is construction! But, make it a habit to have meals with coworkers and project partners. Everybody eats. You truly get to know people around a table. 4.    Connect others. With networking, assume it is better to give than to receive. Know a subcontractor looking to grow? Put an intro in with your estimator. Know a junior professional trying to pivot from residential to commercial? Connect them with a colleague who has done the same. Have a friend looking for a job? Send them to your neighborhood recruiter. 😉 5.    Follow up. When you have reached out once but haven’t heard back from a former colleague, absolutely give them the benefit of the doubt and try them again. When you meet someone new in the industry, follow up with an email or text. When you have lunch with a trade partner, ping them and let them know their time was appreciated. If you can manage your industry relationships well, you are networking every day. There will absolutely be a compounding effect over your career.

Building Relationships: The Foundation of Success As a young professional in the construction industry, I have come to realize that one of the most important skills to hone is building relationships. While technical expertise and experience are essential for day-to-day success, relationships are what often open doors to greater opportunities and long-term growth. In my experience, one of the best ways to build meaningful connections is by being authentic. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. I have personally found LinkedIn to be one of the most powerful tools for expanding my network. Through this platform, I have met mentors, gained friends who feel like family, and formed connections that have significantly shaped my career. Here are a few steps I have found helpful in building lasting relationships: 1. Be genuine: Approach people with authenticity and sincerity. 2. Stay curious: Be open to learning from everyone you meet, regardless of their position or background. 3. Offer value: Relationships are a two-way street; look for ways to support and add value to others. 4. Follow up: Building relationships takes time. Be consistent in your communication and nurture the connections you make. 5. Leverage LinkedIn: Use this platform not just to connect but to engage meaningfully. Comment, share insights, and participate in conversations. The power of relationships is limitless, especially in an industry as collaborative as construction. Let’s keep connecting and building together! #Buildingrelationships #Peopeskills #Construction #Networking #Linkedin

𝗦𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗗𝗘𝗖𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗛𝗔𝗩𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗜𝗡𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 First, your accounting relationship. Access to detailed financial information is crucial. Know where your cash is, how much you have, and when it’s coming in. Building a strong financial infrastructure with your accounting team is essential. Trust me, I see it every day - contractors make great decisions when they have good information. 𝗕𝗮𝗱 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘂𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗮 𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗮𝗱 𝗷𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁. 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲…. 😊 Next, get yourself a good construction lawyer. Spend an hour reviewing contracts upfront. Understand the terms and negotiate unfavorable ones before signing. This proactive step can save you a lot of time and money down the road. At a minimum, you will know where the specific risks are to you BEFORE you start the job. It doesn’t have to mean you can’t take the job, but it might! Don’t just hire any accountant or lawyer. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. They understand YOUR needs and bring industry-specific knowledge and experience, helping you avoid common pitfalls. Spending a couple of hours on a legal review now is much cheaper than dealing with issues later. Start building relationships with lenders before you need them. Whether it’s private lenders, banks, or factoring companies, establish these connections early. Talk to credit managers at your material suppliers. Cultivate your network so they know you and understand your business. This way, when opportunities or problems arise, you already have a support system in place and a relationship. Build these relationships by giving them work, paying your bills on time, and keeping them informed about your business growth and needs. This groundwork pays off when you actually need support. Proactive planning and relationship-building are essential for success in construction. 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸. Start now. #construction #planning #constructionindustry #network

Networking in the Creative Industry: The Power of Adding Continuous Value In the competitive world of the creative industry, building strong, meaningful connections is essential for success. Whether you're a designer, filmmaker, or marketer, your ability to network effectively can open doors to new opportunities, collaborations, and career growth. This article provides practical advice on networking within the creative sector, complemented by valuable insights straight from my learnings from Harvard Business School's "Power and Influence for Positive Impact" course. Discover how adding continuous value to your connections can transform your networking approach and elevate your professional relationships.