How Community Supports Career Growth

"Why do I need to be active on LinkedIn other than job applications?" When a mentee asked that, I was stunned. I have literally breathed and lived on LinkedIn: before, during, and after my job search. ➡ I started sharing my journey and job struggles, thanks to the power of community ➡ I got 60% of my job interviews through LinkedIn reach outs and networking. If you are not connecting, how are you experiencing growth, community, and a sense of belonging? While a polished resume and relevant skills are undoubtedly essential, the power of networking and belonging to a community can significantly impact your job search success. Here's why having a community matter when you're on the job-seeking journey: 🔎 Networking Opportunities: Building a community provides you with a valuable network of professionals who can offer insights, advice, and potential job leads. Networking opens doors to hidden job opportunities that may not be advertised publicly. 🔎Access to Insider Information: Being part of a community often means gaining access to insider information about companies, industries, and job market trends. Your peers may have valuable insights into specific companies, their hiring processes, or upcoming job openings, giving you a competitive edge in your applications and interviews. 🔎Support and Encouragement: Job searching can be emotionally challenging, especially during prolonged periods of uncertainty. A supportive community can provide a sense of belonging, encouragement, and understanding. 🔎Skill Enhancement and Learning Opportunities: Communities often organize workshops, webinars, and skill-building events. Engaging with these opportunities not only enhances your existing skills but also demonstrates your commitment to continuous learning. Referrals and Recommendations Within a community, you have the chance to build genuine relationships with professionals who may be in a position to recommend you for job opportunities. 🔎Diverse Perspectives and Insights A diverse community exposes you to a variety of perspectives, experiences, and ideas. This diversity can be a valuable asset when navigating the job market, helping you adapt to different workplace cultures and understand the needs and expectations of various industries. 🔎Staying Informed About Industry Trends Communities often serve as hubs for sharing industry news, updates, and emerging trends. Staying informed about the latest developments in your field ensures that you are well-prepared for interviews, able to discuss current industry challenges, and showcase your knowledge to potential employers. The support, insights, and opportunities provided by a community can make a significant difference in your job search success. Tell us why are you on LinkedIn? #linkedin #networking #recruiters #jobseeker #community  

The power of community is changing the way we approach our careers. 🌎 We’re seeing a massive trend on LinkedIn (and beyond) of professionals turning to online communities for support, networking, and growth. These digital spaces are more than just places to connect—they’re becoming essential hubs for learning and opportunity. Here’s why these communities matter and how you can benefit: 👥 Networking Without Borders Whether you’re part of a LinkedIn group, Slack community, or niche professional network, these digital spaces allow you to connect with like-minded professionals across the globe. Geographic barriers are a thing of the past. Opportunities, mentorship, and collaborations can now come from anywhere. 👥 Peer Learning is Booming In these communities, peer learning is thriving. Professionals are sharing insights, resources, and even job leads. If you’re not engaging in these spaces, you’re missing out on a goldmine of knowledge. Peer-to-peer collaboration is one of the best ways to stay updated on industry trends and gain new skills. 👥 Job Referrals and Hidden Opportunities Many job opportunities never make it to job boards—they get filled through community referrals. By building authentic connections in these communities, you’ll have access to the hidden job market. It’s all about who knows your work and can vouch for you. Relationships matter. 👥 Support and Accountability Whether you're a freelancer or a full-time job seeker, having a supportive community can make all the difference. These groups provide accountability, motivation, and emotional support—things that can be hard to come by when you’re navigating your career solo. The era of going it alone is over. Tap into the power of community and watch how your network—and opportunities—expand. 💬 What communities have been the most valuable to your career? Shout them out in the comments below and share how they’ve made an impact for you!👇🏽

Have you ever sat in a large webinar or presentation and felt like the speaker was talking just to you—as if they knew exactly what you needed to hear? I had the privilege of interviewing one of my all-time favorite career coaches, Sarah Henning, during a live event. Her insight, authenticity, and practical advice struck a powerful chord. Afterward, one attendee emailed me to say it was “one of the most impactful conversations they’ve heard in a while.” Check out the article and the included video interview. You will walk away with 4 main points: 💼 Mindset is foundational during career transitions: Executive job searches often disrupt both professional and personal identity, especially when the change is unexpected. Cultivating mental fitness helps individuals maintain clarity, self-worth, and resilience during times of uncertainty. 💼 Combatting negative self-talk is a daily practice: Recognizing and reframing internal “saboteur” thoughts is key to maintaining optimism and progress. Techniques from frameworks like Positive Intelligence—such as catching and celebrating moments of awareness—help retrain the brain and foster a more productive mindset. 💼 Community is critical for resilience: Job searching shouldn’t be done in isolation. Building a supportive network—including mentors (“coaches”), former colleagues (“teammates”), and personal cheerleaders (“fans”)—helps individuals stay grounded, gain perspective, and receive encouragement. 💼 Approach networking with curiosity, not desperation: Reframing outreach as exploration rather than a plea for help creates better conversations and deeper connections. Being curious opens doors to new opportunities, insights, and support systems, particularly for executives navigating unfamiliar or challenging career terrain. (And give Sarah Henning a follow! She's great!)

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙈𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙘 𝙤𝙛 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮: 𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝘾𝙝𝙚𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙤𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 The coaching world thrives on connection, and sometimes, the most empowering communities are found in unexpected places. For me, that place is the Catch-A-Fire Mastermind & Collaboration of Coaches. Imagine a group of phenomenal African-American female coaches from across the U.S., gathering monthly to discuss everything and anything - business, personal growth, you name it. It's a supportive space where everyone knows your name and genuinely welcomes you, not unlike the iconic TV show Cheers. Being part of Catch-A-Fire is more than just networking; it's about collaboration and authentic connection. I've built strong bonds with many of these women, and some have even become close friends. This sense of community has not only enriched my life but also led to valuable business referrals. Here's the thing: belonging to a supportive community like Catch-A-Fire isn't just about what you can get out of it, but what you can contribute as well. Sharing your knowledge, experiences, and even challenges can empower others and strengthen the collective spirit. What kind of communities have played a significant role in your professional journey? Share your experiences in the comments! Big Thanks to Tamarra Causley Robinson, MS, PCC, CMC, ELI-MP Carolann Jones, MS, CPC, HC (she/her) Kendra Tillman, CPC (she/her) Ranieka Weston, PCC, SHRM-SCP Cheryl Mills #resumewriter #careercoach #CommunityTopVoice

Job searching should be a shared experience. The more we support each other, the more we all thrive. According to Teal HQ, the average job search in the U.S. takes 3 to 6 months. That can depend on many factors, from economic conditions to someone’s level of experience, to the quality of someone’s network. Job searching can be a lonely experience, but it doesn’t have to be. The more we support each other’s career growth, the more we all succeed. Here are 4 ways we can support each other during a job search: ✅ (1) Share beyond the obvious referrals. Yes, job postings are helpful, but also share your experiences, lessons learned, and industry insights. That failed interview story might be exactly what someone needs to hear to keep going. ✅ (2) Offer to be a practice buddy. Mock interviews aren't just about rehearsing answers – they're about building confidence. Take an hour to help someone sharpen their storytelling and tackle those tricky behavioral questions. ✅ (3) Celebrate the small wins. Job searching is a marathon of micro-achievements: a promising application, a great networking call, or finally perfecting that resume summary. Acknowledge these moments. A simple "I see your effort" can fuel someone's motivation for days. ✅ (4) Make genuine introductions. When you introduce two people in your network, share specific, meaningful context about why you think they should connect. "Sarah's experience in fintech compliance would be valuable for your transition" is far more powerful than a generic "You two should chat." 💡 Remember: Today's job seeker could be tomorrow's hiring manager. By lifting each other up, we create a more supportive professional community for everyone. Question - What’s one way we can support someone we know who’s job searching? Question 2 - On a scale of 1 to 5, how’s your current job search going? — 📌 Want more help? Join the “Escape the Cubicle” Newsletter with weekly tips on how to… …level up your remote career, grow & monetize on LinkedIn, and work from anywhere. Scroll to the top of this post and click “Subscribe to Newsletter” to join 30,000+ subscribers. ☝🏻 I’m giving away my professional resume template to all new subscribers this week. 🙏 Here’s to us growing together, Wes 🎥 (@greg_goya) #jobsearchtips #careercoach #businesscoach