Career TOOLBox #17: Giving Thanks and Paying it Forward

10 Ways to Help Advance Someone Else’s Career

The economy hasn’t, yet, fulled recovered. Budgets may still be tough and, as most around us continue to rebuild lives and focus on being successful, including preparing for and taking on new professional challenges, this is the perfect opportunity to pay it forward, give thanks and give someone else a leg up.

Here’s a list of ideas that are, for the most part, either free or cost a few minutes of your day, that is all.

1. Connect. While you may not always be impressed with your own Rolodex, for someone starting out or transitioning into a new career space, that one critical contact can mean the difference between being lost and having a plan. If you know two people who are on the opposite experience ends within a specific industry or two professionals with complimentary skill sets, send both a quick note (via email, LinkedIn or Facebook) and let them know the basis of the intro. The rest is up to them.

2. Sip. The most important thing you can do with social media isn’t what you do online, but what you take offline. Have a cup of coffee with someone who may be struggling or need some advice that you can offer. Not only can you provide encouragement within your line of expertise (or regarding life itself), but you’ll also strengthen what could be a long-term relationship. Oh, be sure to listen more and talk less. And realize that it’s about them and their present not about you and your past. You’re helping someone else build their future.

3. Write. Anita Myers, a licensed and credited Life Coach and Relationship Coach at Innerscope Consulting, encourages this more traditional and often surprising practice. According to Anita, “Write an unsolicited testimonial for a person or business (for a job well done). A business love letter goes a long way.” They may even feel so proud of your words regarding their service that they may frame it and hang it in their office.

4. Recommend. LinkedIn recommendations have shifted from nice-to-haves to must-haves, especially with recruiters and hiring managers. Also, as Jamie Ginsberg, Social Media Strategist and Partner with Double Secret Media, once wisely told me, “When you write someone a personal LinkedIn recommendation, you create three benefits: 1. You say something nice about someone. 2. That person may feel inclined to reciprocate. 3. Your words (and profession) now become visible to that person’s entire contact list.”

5. Reinvest. If you had a great experience with a brand why not spread the goodness? Adds Anita, “Buy their product or service as a gift for a friend.” Not only will you help someone meet their fourth quarter earnings, but, also, the recipient of your gift may become a loyal client, too, especially if this helps them improve their life in some meaningful way.

6. Congratulate. With so many people still struggling with their careers, if you do hear someone receiving the college acceptance letter, diploma, job offer or business loan, send them a personal, hand-written Congratulations note. The fact that you acknowledge their accomplishment and that you believe in their future will move self-doubting mountains out of the way and pave the way for future success.

7. Party. Anita, who has a strong background in sales, recommends to host a party. “Hold a fun and informative businesses-you-should-know ‘pot-o-gold potluck party,’ inviting vendors to share their gold nuggets of information with those who mean a lot to you and can benefit from those vendors.” You’re creating exponential feel good and helping others thrive.

8. Give. It’s always a good time to evaluate, sort, trash, fix and give. Perhaps you have some office supplies, fabrics or furniture that once had the best intention of use but no longer hold any value in your home. Collect everything, pack it up and drop it off to someone starting out. You’re helping them build their dream, one paperclip at a time.

9. Host. Another idea Anita has is to, “Hold an event in a local facility.” So, if there’s a yoga studio, sandwich shop or art gallery that you absolutely love, talk to the owner and see if you can host a book club, jewelry sale or band performance in the cool space. With privately-owned establishments you can get to the decision maker right away and you’re also bridging the creative community.

10. Love. That’s right, just by loving something or someone, chances are you’re already gushing over that person, place or thing. In corporate world, we call these loyalty lovers Brand Ambassadors, because when when you get the word out, especially if you’re influential in your community, social or otherwise, your enthusiasm becomes contagious and others crave what brought you that state of euphoria. So keep on loving and others will start to love, too.

Remember, energy is like a boomerang. Why not let the best come to you by giving the best of yourself to others first?

First written in November 2012.  

Reprinted with permission and gratitude from CoolCleveland.com.

Next CareerTOOLBOX Column: 12 Days of Resumes