How to Use Your Network to Help a Friend in Transition

I heard from a friend who lives in my city. Her relationship has ended, and she’s moving to another city in another, far-away state for a fresh start. Let’s pretend that city is Boulder, Colorado. I’ve always wanted to visit Boulder. Anyway, I wasn’t entirely sure who I know in or from Boulder, but I was certain that there is someone or a few someones, my network being what it is (fairly large and varied), and the way people move about the country following relationships, jobs and other opportunities.

On LinkedIn I went to Advanced Search and typed in a Boulder ZIP code. That pulled up three people in my network who currently live and work in the area. Huzzah! I went to my friend’s profile, clicked the arrow next to Send a Message on her profile, scrolled down and selected “share profile” and sent a note to those contacts saying hello from their former city (coincidentally, they all formerly lived in Charlottesville), and introduced my friend, asking them to be kind and hook a sister up.

I don’t know how this will work out, ultimately, but it’s what you do, and how you do it.