Job Search: Finding Connections in Your Ecosystem

When we think of ecosystems, we either imagine complex supply chains or nature and the circle of life (queue Lion King). So you might be surprised to learn that you are part of many ecosystems.

Ecosystems are relationships, connections, and links that form a mutually beneficial system where any component may or may not even know about the other pieces beyond the ones they're directly connected to. In techbro speak, it's networks on steroids.

For a job search, ecosystems mean looking beyond your direct connections to explore links further down the chain so you can learn about an industry, the jobs in that industry, and who you might be connected to who works in it.

How to explore ecosystems while job searching:

• Start with your own connections and figure out who you are connected to and who those people are connected to in the industry you are interested in.
• Find companies in that industry. Search LinkedIn for people connected to those companies, either current or former. See if they are connected to anyone you are. Then pick one or two to contact and ask them what it's like to do their work. Get a picture of a day in the life of someone who does that.
• Look at Glassdoor and other online information about companies in the industry. Remember that grumpy people review things online more often than happy people. But it's good to get a full picture, including the grumpy parts.
• Explore what else those companies do and how those things are connected. Is there something interesting there or not? If so, follow that link in the chain.

Building your ecosystem

Beyond your family, friends and co-workers, you will meet or reconnect with people that you want to maintain connections with. Besides sending a LinkedIn invite, here are some ideas for expanding and building your ecosystem during the job search process:

• Connect on social, but only where you actually spend time. Interact and message occasionally. See who they follow and follow the people who seem interesting. This is a time when it's okay to talk to strangers.
• Send a note, email, or message to one person once a week to say hello, tell them you enjoyed something they said, did, or posted online. Short and breezy is just fine.
• At least once a week, send a note to thank someone for something. Make the note all about your appreciation.
• When someone asks for an introduction or favor, do it if you can. It's good to have a positive balance in the favor bank.

How to know when to stop exploring ecosystems:

Stop when you figure out what you want to try next, find someone who points you in a direction you want to follow, feel like it's a waste of time and energy or that it's not helping. But don't stop connecting with people in the ways above. You'll get more out of it than you give.

The whole point is to think about a bigger world and imagine new perspectives and connections. It's easy to find reasons to make your world small and more manageable, but it can limit your view. So, take some time to see the connections and expand your possibilities.

Read on for more ways to make your job search a success: What the Experts Won’t Don’t Say About Resume Preparation