12 People Who Can Fast-Track Your Career

Think you need a huge network of people to help you succeed? Think again …

If you think networking is simply about schmoozing at events and meeting people in your industry, think again – successful networking is an art form. “To build an effective network you must be clear on what your goals and aspirations are, how others can help you achieve them and how you can help them in return. You need to understand your values, and identify your strengths and weaknesses,” says Janine Garner, author of It’s Who You Know (Wiley, $27.95). “To network successfully you must be surrounded by people who will challenge your thinking and hold you accountable for your decisions.”

Garner believes you need 12 key people in your network to reach your career goals. “We gravitate to people who are the same as us, but the people in your network should be diverse, spanning gender, age, experience, culture and geographical locations – and valuing differences of opinion,” she says. “They don’t have to be professionals in your field; your friends, family and work colleagues are all connected to a wider world beyond your network. Small degrees of separation exist between who you already know and who you could potentially know – you simply need to reach out and ask.” Here are the 12 types of people who can help you achieve career success …

1 CHEERLEADER

Your Cheerleader creates opportunities for you to shine and pushes you to do more. Parents are usually our first Cheerleaders, but when it comes to networking for career success you will need someone who can give you a reality check, just as much as unconditional encouragement. 

Your Cheerleader should:

Talk about you positively to everyone they meet.

Provide encouragement even when you’re feeling down.

2 EXPLORER