So much literature and conversation exist today about the importance of networking. We profess the importance of knowing the right people; having them know who you are and what you need; and creative ways to grow and nurture your intentional network of contacts. What isn’t discussed as much is how you start networking, especially after a long career in the military.
This came up in a recent conversation with a 25-year Navy service member who’s readying his military separation in 2027. He mentioned how much he’s heard about the importance of having a good network but didn’t have a clue how or where to start. “All the people I know are connected to my military work. After I retire, I want to work in the private sector. I don’t know anyone there. How do I start?”
To get started building your network, it’s important to know what networking is -- and isn’t. Your professional network will comprise individuals you intentionally seek to connect with, and who seek to know you. In this professional relationship, your goal will be to provide mutual support, information and assistance, where possible. Your network will be different from your relationships with family or friends in terms of the intent and strategy behind those you’ll know and help for your career. If or when the intent changes, your network may change as well.
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For example, if you’re seeking to work in the defense contracting industry, you would seek to network and build professional relationships with individuals who work in that field, used to work in that field or who have many contacts in the defense industry. You’ll want to know people who do the kind of work you’re pursuing, people who hire into those companies, and people who are well versed on the cultures of companies in that industry. In this way, these network contacts can aid and assist your career transition into your ideal role in the defense contracting industry, and with your ideal employer.
To get started building your post-military network, consider these steps:
Create a spreadsheet. This can be in Excel, Google Sheets or whatever works best for you. In the first column, list everyone you know who thinks of you positively. Yes, everyone. Include your military contacts and any civilian contractors or colleagues you’ve worked with.
List similarly transitioning contacts. In the next column, make note of who is entering the private sector before or soon after you.
With an idea of the career sector or company you’ll be pursuing, in a separate worksheet, list people who would be valuable for you to know. If you have specific names, great. Otherwise, list categories such as hiring managers, project managers in a given division, someone connected to the CEO, and so on.
Take the list from No. 3 and go to LinkedIn. Enter the categories or specific names there. Check to see if you know anyone who’s connected to someone in that given division, knows the CEO, or works for the company. Even someone you know who used to work there is valuable. Note all the names and their connections to your targets in a new column in the first worksheet of your original spreadsheet.
Start your outreach. Contact the person you know with a message that states your goal. Let them know that you value their connection and that as you begin to curate your post-military network, you would appreciate their assistance in connecting you with the company or person to learn more about potential synergies and opportunities. In return, you welcome the opportunity to be of assistance to them as they navigate the military-to-civilian transition (or whatever they’re focusing on).
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From there, connections don’t follow a clean formula. Some people you’ll meet in person, some you’ll only correspond with over email, others you may do a virtual meeting with. Everyone might be different. What’s important to remember is that you need to return the favor to support and help your network with what they need. Even a simple handwritten thank you note is considered viable reciprocity! As others help you, you’ll want to help them. Your network will grow over time and prove to be one of the most valuable assets of your career.
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