Are you waiting to be put on? If your answer is yes, then this article is for you. With millions of Americans filing for unemployment and companies on hiring freezes until 2021, this is NOT the time to wait for an opportunity to come to your front door.

**This is you waiting to hear back from employers.**

Last summer, I moved to New York to work for a tech startup, and then seven months later I was laid off due to COVID-19. Now living in one of the most expensive cities in the US, I knew that I had to quickly develop a plan that would pay for rent, bills, and student loans. With encouragement from my pastor to dream big with God, I developed a blueprint for landing a new job and income. A huge part of that plan was leveraging my network.

This was taken last August during my first week living in New York.

Understanding that online engagement has exploded, networking more than ever is a needle in the haystack game. How do I stand out when millions of people are applying for work online? How can I demonstrate my personality and value? These are some of the questions I had to start to ask myself.

Then my good friend Will reminded me of something amazing that actress/comedian Issa Rae said in a recent interview. She said networking success is about collaborating with people who are just as hungry and, in the trenches, as you are. This idea shifted my mindset about how I should be thinking and approaching networking and has inspired me to develop what I call "The Issa Rae Networking Method".

Here are 3 out of the 5 hacks that are included in this method:

1) Be Solution-Oriented

In your industry, start thinking about what problems companies are faced with due to COVID-19. Can you provide solutions? Recruiters from top tech companies that I have spoken with have voiced the following priorities for their departments:

retention of staff
performance evaluation for remote work
diversity & inclusion
expanding online products
relationship development in remote work.

**That idea you have been meaning to get started….now is the time!!!!**

This is the time to position yourself to be a thought leader who is innovative and adaptable. You can do the following to show your value:

Write opinion pieces
Develop a project
Put on a virtual event
Create resources targeted at an issue your industry is facing

Make sure to share widely with your network by tagging companies or leaders in your posts.

2) Collaborate

Who are the people you want in the trenches with you? Who should you collaborate with? Through collaboration, we expand our network, get feedback, and create opportunities that elevate one another. In the past couple of weeks, I have partnered with organizations on free webinars or resource development, producing more income, new clients, and positioning my brand in wider markets. This wouldn't have been possible without the help of others. Here is a brain dump of who you can partner with:

Previous or current co-workers
Friends/Family
Entrepreneurs
Social Media Influencers
Non-Profit Organizations or Small Businesses
Schools

**Who do you want to collaborate with?**

It can all start with a simple and short email and text message like:

"I got this great idea to create an app that directs people to local organizations that provide free masks. I would love to partner with you because of your background in UX/UI design. If you are interested, I can set up a 30-minute conference call."

No more excuses! Get started today.

3) Research Your Niche

Things to research can include pricing, consumer trends, gaps in services, etc. — **Things to research can include pricing, consumer trends, gaps in services, etc**.

How well do you know your industry? Do you know the big players or the top products being consumed? Use this time to read articles, attend online events, or grab virtual coffee with professionals in your field. I recently watched a video by Gary V, a serial entrepreneur, and marketing guru, on how to gain new followers or clients on Instagram. One of the tips he shared was searching a hashtag related to your industry or your geographic location and offering your services to people that need your services. Gary constantly emphasizes a grassroots approach to understanding and developing relationships with your consumers. Here are some quick tips on understanding your niche:

Sign up for e-newsletters like Blavity, Girls in Tech, The Skimm, Forbes, etc.
Watch instructional videos on platforms like Coursera, LinkedIn University, Udemy, etc.
Set up 30-minute calls with professionals in your field
Attend free webinars through organizations like General Assembly, Essence, Blavity, etc.

Write down two things you will do this week to better understand your niche.

To learn more networking hacks, visit my website www.poweredbypurposeinc.com and read my Purpose Blog. I will post the other hacks next week, so make sure to stay tuned in.

As a career coach and diversity strategist, I strive to help diverse professionals unlock their purpose and level up in their careers. You are not alone at this difficult and complicated time, and there is a new energy of collaboration and empathy that is flowing through our communities. So, go find people who have the same hunger and drive as you to level up. Please comment below if you found this article to be helpful.

Photos provided by Prexels.com and Squarespace.