One of the most important pieces of advice that I provide to my coaching students is to build and maintain their professional network.

Professional networks are one of the primary support mechanisms for you in your career, whether it be for gaining advice, researching market trends, or landing a new job opportunity.

Listen to this episode of Athena Bytes to learn about the "Importance of Strategically Networking"

I've been fortunate to build a robust professional network over the last 20 years, but it did not happen overnight. It took time, care, and attention. It involved maintaining relationships and connections in an authentic way.

However, I know this is not the case for everyone. Some people find it challenging to figure out a way to expand their professional network.

This post is the first in a series of weekly posts where I will provide actionable advice through a challenge I'm calling the...

5 Person Networking Challenge

This challenge encourages you to connect with 5 new people every week. Connecting may involve sending a connection request, sending a private message, engaging with their content, scheduling time for a virtual chat, or maybe even taking them out for coffee if you are local to them. The purpose is to complete activities that increase your professional network.

This week, I want us to focus on assisting project managers who are Open To Work. This includes people reading this post who are currently employed and those who are also #opentowork.

Everyone has an opportunity to provide assistance to others in a wide variety of ways such as:

• Warm introductions

• Sharing roles of interest

• Referrals

• Resume reviews

• LinkedIn profile reviews

• Interview prep

• And much more...

Watch the short 5-minute video below where I outline the exact steps to complete this week's 5 Person Connection Challenge focused on #opentowork project managers.

Written steps on how to find #opentowork project managers

1. Go to the top of LinkedIn

2. In the search bar type "#opentowork project management"

3. Click People

4. Use filters such as location to narrow the results

5. Look for people within your geographic area, area of interests or other matches to complete the 5 Person Connection Challenge this week!

Need help on what to send a new connection? Read my post "10 LinkedIn Messaging Prompts To Expand Your Professional Network".

I would love to hear about your success in completing this challenge. Send me a message at lori@athenaprojectconsulting.com