Supporting job seekers

We were invited to host a 2-hour workshop for alumnae from my alma mater Scripps College on emotions of building professional connections. It was such a treat to be back in the Scripps community and to get to share our work with alumnae that are navigating the ups and downs of the job search.

Over the course of my own professional life, I’ve learned the value of building connections, especially early in my career and now as a business owner. And, I recognize from experience that it can feel overwhelming, especially as emotions like anxiety, fear of rejection, or self-doubt pop up.

What I’ve learned is that “techniques” are not effective without tending to my emotional experience—I can have a list of people I want to connect with and a strategy for doing so, but what will determine whether I reach out or not is how I feel. It’s with this perspective in mind that we guided participants through the process of thinking about how they want to feel and don’t want to feel (but might from time-to-time) when reaching out to or meeting new people, and ways they can support this desired emotional state.

If this sounds like something you’d be keen to explore, we’re planning to host a public event later this year - keep an eye out for the invite!