Find Your Tribe to Land a Job in Portland

Do you have a tribe in Portland? You probably need one if you want to advance your career.

World-renowned marketing expert, Seth Godin, defines a tribe as “a group of people connected to one another, connected to a leader, and connected to an idea. For millions of years, human beings have been part of one tribe or another. A group needs only two things to be a tribe: a shared interest and a way to communicate.”

I believe in his concept of having a tribe.

My tribe is the community I’ve built in Portland–a network I’ve spent years creating.

My tribe is the group of people I call on when I need something or when I want to give something away. Everyday I connect someone in my tribe to someone else in my tribe. Every week I give my help and resources to others in my tribe. This is how I’ve built this community – through dedication and commitment to serving others.

Last week, I joined a growing community of women called The Women’s Plaza. I looked around and I knew, “These women could be in my tribe. Some of these women are already in my tribe.” I didn’t know everyone in the room, but I knew that they were all committed to a similar idea and belief as me.

A tribe can help you find that next job. A tribe can help you take that next step. A tribe can offer the support, validation and resources to help you succeed.

How do you find your tribe?

Graduate or Certification Programs

Educational programs are a traditional way to find a tribe. Whether you’re getting a master’s degree or enrolled in a yoga teacher-training course, these are places where you might find your tribe.

Conferences

Conferences are gatherings of tribes. There are conferences for every kind of tribe: entrepreneurs, artists, communicators, and government officials. Google your sector and find your tribe.

Industry Associations

Find an association for your industry to find a tribe in your professional life.

Marketing professionals, designers, fundraisers, financiers, even non-conformists have an association for their tribe. Find yours by asking your friends, family and colleagues what associations they’d recommend you join.

Communities

• TEDx Portland is a great example of a creative, talented and innovative community in Portland.
• SuperThank is a community committed to radical acts of gratitude.

One of my many tribes is The Nonprofit Technology Network. I just went to their conference in Austin, and I felt connected to almost everyone I met.

Common Interests

You can also find your tribe through a common interest.

Like to write? There’s a tribe for that.

Committed to the environment? There’s a tribe for that.

Dedicated to wearing red hats? There’s even a tribe for that, too.

Where’s your tribe? Cultivate relationships in your tribes to support your success, whatever success looks like to you.

Most importantly, don’t forget that giving back to the tribe is the greatest way to build trust, credibility and commitment in your growing relationships.