This one small gesture can buy you a lifetime of networking power….

I am writing this post to share with you the brilliance I witnessed from a young 20-something year old.  This is the story of a young woman who made the decision to move from a temp job to her first full-time gig out of college.  A no-brainer right?!  Of course she should leave the freelance job with no benefits for something full-time with benefits – what boss wouldn’t understand that?

 

Only she didn’t just make a leap to a more stable job – she stabilized her candidacy for future jobs with this one small gesture.

 

This one small gesture can buy you a lifetime of networking power – and the work is all done for you too!  Consider it an early holiday present from me (and the girl who actually did the work for us)!

 

In short – she wrote a note – literally WROTE a note – on an actual card from a fancy card/stationary store.  It was probably the best $5+ bucks she spent all year – and I bet she knows it!! Here is what she wrote (Note:  I changed the names to protect the brilliant but I didn’t change any of her words – they are sheer brilliance)...

“Dear ______________ (insert boss’s/other person’s name here):

 

I wanted to thank you for making the last 2.5 years here so memorable.  From hiring me with little experience, to being supportive when I needed to go on my own health insurance, to giving me the freedom to apply my _______________ (insert name of class you took or something you learned) class to my work here at ________________ (insert company name here) and challenging me to be the best ________________ (insert your job title here) I could be.

 

A boss (if not to your boss, then write who this person was to you – customer, peer, co-worker, etc.) can make or break a job and you have helped to make my experience here incredibly positive and valuable.  I’ve learned so much about _____________, _____________, _______________, and ______________ (insert all the things you learned related to your job, industry or from the person you are writing to) since starting here.  My career will undoubtedly be shaped by ______________ (company name) for years to come.

 

Despite being freelance (she was a freelancer – insert what’s appropriate for you here – i.e. temporary, here a short time, etc.), leaving this job was a very difficult decision.  I’m excited about the opportunities ahead but very sad to be closing my chapter with _____________ (company name) and not seeing you and the team everyday when I come to work.

 

So again, thank you so much for being such a great boss and making work fun and challenging.  I would be very happy for our career paths to cross again in the future.

 

All the best,”

 

________________ (your full name – the one you use on LinkedIn)

_____@________________.com (your email address)

 

I structured her note as a template so you can take this note and use it to fit your situation.  No need for you to be a young woman moving onto a full-time job with benefits – no need for it to be written to a boss – just adjust it to your situation.

 

This note was shared with me by someone I coach and it has remained prominently displayed since the day he got it.  When he shared this note with me I asked him – “Will you ever forget this person?”  He replied, “Never! I would help her in a heartbeat and in a few years when she has even more experience, I’d love to see if I could hire her back.”  

 

Bam!  Networking power for life – just like that!  Now you can have it too!  Only thanks to this brilliant young woman it will take you only a fraction of a second to get this power for yourself since I shared her note with you in template style.

 

It’s cyber-Monday – buy yourself a gift – get on-line and find yourself some cool, fancy note cards.

 

And when you write out your cards – write small if necessary – don’t leave anything from this template out!

 

You’re welcome!

 

___________________________________________________________

 

Can’t find anyone at your job you would write a note of thanks to that could give you  networking power in return?

 

From now until January 20, 2017 I am offering you a 1 hour Take Your Power Back Breakthrough coaching session with me for only $45.

 

We learn, grow and evolve from everyone around us all the time – and it’s a lot less painful when we are awakened to the opportunities others enable for us.  You don’t have to love someone (or even like them) to learn from them or to acknowledge them for the difference they made for you.

 

There’s a saying by Bryant H. McGill :  “Suffering is one of life’s great teachers.”   Are you suffering someone at work?  Experience a shifted perspective for the people you work with – especially those who may be draining to you. Regain your perspective, purpose and power!

Email me at gina@indigoforce.com to register!