In honor of last night’s epic game (Go Steelers!) I thought I would outline the key players of any jobseeker’s virtual team. When maneuvering the competitive job search landscape, we all know how important a solid game plan is—but don’t forget the most important part—the virtual team in place to help you reach victory.

I grew up around sports. Between two older brothers and my father I was always aware of big games, all-star players, and Cinderella stories. I was quickly introduced to the religion that is East Coast sports and asked to choose which God I would worship—known to most of you as--the battle of the Boston Red Sox versus the New York Yankees. Clearly with my grandfather born in Boston you know where my family falls (minus one confused brother who is often ignored or heckled during baseball season as he sports his Yankee’s hat). Anyway, I digress.

The point is—I grew up playing sports. Soccer, basketball, softball—which all culminated in high school with 11 of 12 Varsity seasons, three championship games, and a lot of bruises. Every second of those four years was spent on something bigger then myself—a goal of winning something that transcended the moment. Perhaps even more importantly is with whom those many hours of exhaustion were spent with—my teammates. A decade later I am acutely aware of how crucial those teammates were in creating some of my most victorious moments.  And so (finally) that brings us to the purpose of this post—your virtual team.

Whether you are searching for a job, or seeking support in your current gig, you should ask yourself, "how strong is your virtual team?" Some of us have been working toward a strong team for years—cutting out the slackers (the sites not worth your time/insincere industry colleagues) and conditioning (optimizing/pushing the limits of) the ones that are performing. Unfortunately, some have just joined this league of competition and are left wondering, “What is a virtual team?” and “How do I get on one?”

The Line-Up:

Coach (Mentor): Clearly you can’t have a solid team without one. Whether he/she is a superior at your current job, or someone you came across while networking, its crucial to instate a mentor to keep you motivated and answer the questions only answerable with years of experience under your belt.

Offense (Online Networking): This is where you make the moves. Get to the local meet-ups, conferences, and dinners to shake hands. Find the sites/networks that can work for you 24/7, pushing your brand and highlighting your strengths. A strong offense is based on a well-thought out strategy, efficiency, and dedication.

Defense (Reputation Management): Monitor what others are saying. Set up alerts, tracking, and filters so you are always ready to catch anything that could hurt your chance at success. Then have plays ready—counter the negative statements publicly (may involve a few flags being thrown), or counter with an offensive play that gets you back in possession of your career/brand.

Alumni (Past colleagues/bosses): Never forget the ones that were there since your very first play. When it comes to your virtual team try to remember the people that helped you grow and fine-tune your skills (write recommendations for them/request one from them). Lean on them when necessary, acknowledge and express gratitude often.

Crowd (Supporters): Family, friends, and the occasional kind stranger have always been my key to success. When all the conditioning, strategizing, and hard work are just too much—find strength in your circle of support. Never lose sight of the main goal—to enjoy the game.

Lastly:

The Coach’s Kid (The Next Generation/Newbie):  Every team had one. Maybe they were the unofficial water girl/boy; maybe they were the team mascot, or just the adoring fan that would come to every game hoping someday to be wearing your shoes. It’s easy these days to lose motivation, to lose sanity, and to frankly—burn out. Turn your eyes to them and feed off their energy for your industry, feed off their excitement, their innovative ideas/skills, and most importantly--welcome them to the game when it’s their time to play.

When it comes to succeeding, never underestimate the advantage that comes with a strong virtual team behind you. What about you? Who is on your virtual team?