Anesthesia Networking: Essential Dos and Don'ts for Aspiring CAAs

Anesthesia is a small world so networking can be incredibly valuable to learn about the CAA profession, obtain shadowing opportunities, or ask for application advice. If done well, networking will help you get into school to become a CAA. Conversely, missteps can impede your career aspiration. Let's dive into how to network in a productive way as well as what specially you should avoid.

When reaching out to an anesthesia professional, begin by briefly sharing your background and where you are in your application process. Provide helpful context such as where you attend/attended school, your major, current year in school, and work history if you're a non-traditional student.

If you're communicating via email, having a headshot in your email signature or profile picture adds an extra level of personalization and professionalism. Similarly, if you're reaching out via social media such as LinkedIn, ensure you have a profile photograph.

Respect the preferences of your target contact regarding communication channels—be it text, phone, video, social media, or email. You'll get the best communication from your target contact when you're using their preferred method of communication.

Have a goal to respond to any communication within 24 hours, ideally within 12 hours or sooner (even if the other person doesn't!) . The person with whom you're networking is likely busy and gets many emails/notification within a day.

By responding quickly, you're more likely to stay top of mind and get a follow-up response. Even if you're not in the position to provide a robust response immediately, acknowledge receipt of their communication to maintain engagement.

Always express gratitude to those who offer assistance or connect you with their contacts. Verbal appreciation should be followed up with a written expression, such as an email or handwritten note, reinforcing your appreciation for their support.

Remember to always start with an introduction, not a request. The baseline of networking is building relationships, not exchanging favors.

When your target contact feels they know you and understands your story, they'll not only be more willing to help you but also more capable of helping you because they can offer very specialized advice as it relates to your particular situation. Always abiding by this rule will dramatically improve your networking success rate.

Ensure your target contact has the capacity and desire to help you with your request. The best way to do that is by asking instead of assuming they have time.

Let's take a look at a scenario in which you would like feedback on your personal statement essay from the CAA you shadowed.

Example 2 is better than example 1 because example 2 does not assume that the answer is "yes" and instead, gives the contact an opportunity to decline. Example 2 also does not push the contact to respond in a tight timeline, and instead is conscientious of the contact's potentially busy schedule.

Bottom line, before making requests, ensure your target contact has the capacity and willingness to help. Instead of assuming their availability, respectfully inquire about their ability to accommodate your request.

Not all networking attempts will yield positive responses. Instead of becoming disheartened by rejection, maintain persistence and seek out new contacts. Networking is a skill that improves with practice, repetition, and intentionality.

Networking frequently involves connecting with someone who can introduce you to their own network. In this process, your initial contact is essentially endorsing you. It is crucial to maintain professionalism and show appreciation to avoid damaging relationships. Remember, you don't want to make your initial contact regret their endorsement of you.

By embracing these guidelines, aspiring CAAs can confidently navigate the intricacies of anesthesia networking. Remember, the anesthesia world is tightly-knit. Your conduct throughout the networking process can significantly impact your future opportunities.

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