Your objective: Assemble a Team 🛠
👤 People in the field/job you’re interested in: These should be the first people you’re acquiring to join your team. They know the ins and outs of the job and can share their personal journey, recommendations, pitfalls to avoid, resources to earn, collect, and gain, and best-in-class methods to win aka get the job you want. These people can be your mentors, be a guide, and even vouch for you over time.
👥 Cross-functional people who work directly with the job you’re interested in: These are the people that elevate getting to the goal. They have specific skills and needs that work together with your job. With powers combined, you develop an understanding of what complementary skills you need to best support and work with them.
👩🏻💼 Hiring Managers: Their needs are different even if they’re hiring for the same role; same title and scope. These folks are hiring for different teams, products, and deadlines, so getting to know how deep and wide their needs help build an understanding of what they’re looking for. Their needs may align with what you can provide today; sometimes not. But knowing what they look for can unlock skills and competencies you may not have known to be important and can add that to your toolbox to learn.
👩🏻💻 Recruiters: These are the people that work with everyone above, so they know what they’re all looking for and what they need to build the best teams. Recruiters can be your advocate in the job search and career growth process because part of their job is to keep an inventory of people and skills. Get to know these folks and help them help you by staying up-to-date with open roles, letting them know when you’ve gained new skills, and what kind of work you’re looking for. When there’s a new mission, they could call you if your skills align.
🤝🏼 People working towards the same goal as you: Sometimes you’re on a team where everyone starts at the same level! You'll learn from each other: best practices, pitfalls to avoid, and where to find resources, can connect you with people they’ve met, all while sharing knowledge. There's power in numbers and these folks can keep you motivated and push you further.
“How many of these folks do I need, Marie? 🤔”
Up to you! Think quality vs quantity. Think depth and breath. Think deep and wide. But also remember that your Main Quest can change and evolve. You may need to bolster one team, upgrade another, etc. Strategy game, right? 😎
Who else would you add?