Joe’s Landing Story
27 August 2009
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About two weeks after my notification, I knew that I had to take steps to increase my network and re-establish contacts with people I had worked with in the past. Like many, I had been pretty weak at maintaining my network over the years.
One step I decided to take was to pull together my past colleagues from MCI. These former colleagues had spread wide and far, were successful in diverse industries and as I remembered, we were a pretty tight group. To do this, I coordinated a happy hour in mid-May and worked to get the word out.
For people who know me, they understand when I say that this was stepping way outside of my box. I am a lunch box guy who is focused from 6-8 daily on the job (although my nature is to mix in fun and entertain my colleagues). Going to lunch is a special occasion deal as well as the once-in-a-while happy hour. For me, this was my first effort at coordinating an after work event.
The happy hour was a success and many attended. One of my peers mentioned her company and role, which was a perfect match to what I was looking for in an opportunity. She said she would keep her eyes open (mentioning there was a chance a position could become available in the near future) and recommended I watch the company site also.
Over a month later, a position did open and I quickly shot her my resume which she walked to the hiring manager. Two weeks later, I was called in for a number of interviews. During my interview with the hiring manager, she asked if I knew a person at Citi. I said I did and that we worked very closely together for a number a years. The hiring manager said that was a good friend of hers from high school and that they had maintained contact over the years. Of course, the next day I tracked down my Citi friend who then contacted the hiring manager and put in a great recommendation for me.
Two weeks later (because of the number of candidates and summer vacations), I was offered the position which I excitedly accepted. Needless to say, I learned the value of networking and of maintaining strong relationships with peers, colleagues and clients. It is a small, small world in which we live!
Thanks,
Joe T.
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