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Membership has its privileges! Make them work for you!
The advantages of joining a professional organization in a desired field reach far beyond the networking aspect. Veteran and military spouse job seekers alike can remain current in the latest resources, research, trends, and technology in their career fields. In effect, this would enhance knowledge and credibility when applying for jobs, creating cover letters, and interviewing!
Networking in a Professional Organization Success--Stacy LaBarko
Stacy LaBarko, a veteran with a background in education and training, decided to join a local chapter of the Association for Talent Development (ATD) after retiring from the United States Air Force and moving to a new location. ATD is the world’s largest association dedicated to the training and development profession. Members met regularly, and Stacy had the chance to network with dozens of professionals with a similar passion for his career field.
Stacy posted his resume on the chapter’s online job board, and he was contacted for an interview within two weeks. He was soon hired after the interview and is now the Training and Program Development Director for an organization in his community! Stacy noted that it all starts with getting out of your comfort zone and meeting people who have the same interests and talents as you.
1. Identify your career field or industry.
2. Search the internet for national organizations. Make sure to look into each organization to determine whether you are interested in what they offer.
3. Determine whether the organization has an active, local chapter. If not, are you willing/able to participate on a national level?
4. Ask former coworkers about their professional memberships.
5. Search for interest groups on LinkedIn or Social Media. They may have local meet-ups in which you can participate.
6. Consider groups that focus on a job type. Are you a young professional or an entrepreneur?
7. Understand the costs and benefits of membership.
Identifying Professional Organizations