Let’s get real: the phrase “it’s all about who you know” is just devastatingly demoralizing when you’re beginning from zero. You’re sending your resumes out around the clock, your qualifications are in order, but your professional contacts are. well, zero. How do you break into opportunities if you have no Rolodex full of industry contacts?
Don’t panic, job hunter! Building a strong professional network is a complete possibility, even when you don’t have any to start out with. It has nothing to do with being an extrovert; it’s all about being strategic, genuine, and proactive. Here are five mighty strategies to start building those all-important connections and reversing your job search.
1. Launch an Outreach Campaign: Strategic, Targeted & Relentless
Treat your job hunt as a marketing campaign, and you are the product. Instead of applying willy-nilly online, select companies and roles that you actually want. Then, begin a targeted campaign of contact.
- Identify your targets: Who are the people who work in these corporations? Why are they working there? Your best buddy today is LinkedIn. Search for individuals in roles you want, or individuals who can help you in the hiring process.
- Send powerful, high-quality messages: Don’t ask for a job; tell them who you are, why you are sincerely curious about learning more about what they do or the company and ask for a quick informational interview (detailed below!). Keep it short, professional and specific. A message that looks like a template is basically saying, “I am spam”.
- Be diligent (but be courteous): Not everyone will respond and that’s ok. Be courteous and follow-up one or, when needed 2, times if you don’t get a response, and know when to move on. The idea is to keep beyond the borders but keep the quality control high.
2. Provide Value First Before Requesting It: The Golden Rule of Networking
This is likely the most dramatic shift in attitude. Rather than jumping immediately to the ask for a favor, first consider what you have to give. This is not about big favors; it’s about showing your consideration and expertise.
- Share relevant content: Come across an article that may be of interest to a potential contact? Share it with a considerate remark on why you believe it’s worth their time.
- Provide a fresh view: If you’re calling someone you respect in terms of their work, maybe you can provide a fresh view or a different solution to the issue they’ve raised in the public eye.
- Acknowledge their successes: A heartfelt compliment about their work, a project they produced recently, or a publication they wrote about has value. Humans appreciate acceptance. By demonstrating you’re an asset and not just some individual looking for free stuff, you create a good relationship and set the stage for a more mutually reciprocal relationship.
3. Use Technology to Overcome Traditional Barriers: Your Online Advantage
The internet has filled once again the networking vacuum and you don’t have to go to expensive parties anymore to network with other industry leaders.
- LinkedIn, of course: Optimize your profile for seo, interact with posts, join groups, and use the search features to look for people and companies.
- Online forums & communities: Expert forums, Slack mentorship groups, and Reddit forums are incredible networking opportunities with like intent professionals. Participate, ask good questions, and provide good answers.
- Online events & webinars: Most industry associations and businesses host free online webinars and online events. These are great for ordering information, asking to clarify the subject matter, and possibly following other participants and speakers.
- Twitter & X: Follow who you consider to be industry leaders. Read what they post, retweet their tweets, and engage in the dialogue with them. One great comment might catch the eye of someone important.
Take advantage of these online spaces, and traverse the geographical and social barriers to networking that previously limited you.
4. Master the Art of Informational Interviewing: Beyond the Resume
An informational interview is not a job interview. You should think about it as a casual conversation where you learn about their career pathway, the industry and what you should keep in mind. How you reach out to them is important!
- Preparation matters: Research the person and their company. Prepare open-ended questions showing your interest in them and respect for their time.
- Intent to learn: You want to find out what their greatest challenges were, what they wish they had known or done when starting out, what skills they think are essential, and how they think the field is evolving.
- Respect their time: If they give you 15 minutes keep it to 15! Thank them immediately following with a hand written thank-you card.
- The soft ask: While an informational interview is not a job interview, you could ask for connections by saying, ‘do you know anyone with a related background or working in a different area of the field that you would recommend I contact?’
Informational interviews are worth their weight in gold for learning, confirming your career pathway and obviously building your network. Some conversations could potentially lead to another conversation.
5. Convert Conversation into Long-Term Relationships: Invest in Your Network
Cultivating relationships takes time: It’s a process of continuing building connections. Here are a few suggestions:
- Start off with a heartfelt thanks: After a first meeting or informational conversation, it is beneficial to send a thank-you note. If you did get a value from the conversation, it is worth adding in a short sentence about something you found interesting or learned about them or the conversation.
- Remember to follow-up (in moderation): When you are comfortable establishing a new connection, you can reach out periodically to stay in touch. This doesn’t have to be every other day! You could share an article you found they may find interesting about their field, congratulate them on their recent success, or even reach out just to say hello with a card.
- Make note of personal information: If they mentioned a hobby they enjoy, family occasion, trip, etc., make a note of it! Your next conversation once you reference it, shows you were listening, and may even give the impression you care.
- Pair people together: As your network grows, think of creative ways to bring people together with an introduction or a Coffee… Whatever is appropriate. Connecting two individuals who could help one another is one of the kindest things you could do and also enhances your perception as a valuable connection.
Starting from scratch with network can be daunting, but by being proactive and values-oriented in these ways, not only will you make valuable connections, you’ll also find hidden job opportunities. So go out there (online and possibly even in person!), network, and see how your work life unfolds. Good luck!
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