Relationships are the #1 driver of your career.
My team and I see this happen regularly: high performer meets junior high performer. Hires. Takes under wing. Makes work more fun. Sets up for success. Takes with her to next job. Catapults career.
Every job interview is a chance to create that relationship. Every conversation is a potential job interview.
Both should be natural, uncalculated, enjoyable. Both are platforms for you to demonstrate your high standards, high value, high capacity for listening / understanding / generously giving, and most importantly, your personality.
The rest falls into place.
When these interactions go 10 minutes overtime and end with “this has been fascinating, let's get coffee and pick this up again", you're doing it right.
