Networking that works (without being awkward)
Networking is simply letting people who already know or trust you find out what you are looking for, and asking them for small, specific help. It works best when you ask for advice and information rather than a job, and when you keep in touch after the conversation is over.
Why it matters
Employers like hiring people someone they trust can vouch for, because it lowers the risk of a bad hire. A referral will not get an unqualified person hired, but it can get a qualified application read by a person instead of being lost in a pile. Conversations also tell you things job postings never say: what the manager is really looking for, whether a team is about to grow, or which openings will be posted next month.
Start with people you already know
Most useful contacts are not strangers at events. Make a list of 30 to 50 names:
- former coworkers, managers and clients;
- classmates, teachers and alumni of your school or training program;
- friends, relatives and neighbors, and the people they work with;
- members of your place of worship, sports team, union or volunteer group;
- people you have met at professional groups or meetups.
Acquaintances you see rarely are often more useful than close friends, because they move in different circles and hear about different openings. Mark the people who work at, or near, the employers on your target list.
What to say
Keep the first message short, specific and easy to say yes to. An example:
"Hi Maria, I hope things are going well at the hospital. I'm looking to move from retail management into patient scheduling, and I'd value 15 minutes of your advice on how people get started there. Would a call next Tuesday or Wednesday work?"
Notice what it does: it reminds the person who you are, says exactly what you want to do, asks for a small amount of time, and suggests times. It does not ask for a job.
The informational interview
An informational interview is a short conversation, 15 to 30 minutes, to learn about someone's work. Prepare four or five questions:
- What does a typical week look like in your role?
- What skills matter most for someone starting out?
- How do people usually get hired on your team?
- What would you do in my position?
- Is there anyone else you think I should talk to?
Stick to the time you asked for. The last question is the most valuable: each conversation should lead to one or two new names. If the person offers to pass on your resume or refer you, say yes and send it the same day, together with the link to the posting.
Follow up and keep in touch
- Send a thank-you note within 24 hours and mention one piece of advice you will act on.
- Report back a few weeks later: "I took your advice and applied for the billing course."
- Keep a simple contact log: name, where they work, date you spoke, what you discussed and when to check in again.
- Offer help in return: share a job lead, an article, or an introduction. Networking that only flows one way runs dry.
Online networking
Make your LinkedIn profile match your resume, with a clear headline about the work you want. Personalize every connection request with one line on why you want to connect. Comment usefully on posts in your field rather than just liking them. Professional groups and alumni communities online are good places to ask specific questions. See how employers use social media in recruiting.
Stay alert. Fake recruiters also use LinkedIn, text and messaging apps. Never pay to get a job and never share your Social Security or bank details before you have verified the employer. See job scams.
Events and job fairs
Industry meetups, trade association events, alumni events and job fairs let you meet several employers in one place. American Job Centers run job fairs and recruitment events for local employers. Prepare a 20-second introduction (who you are, what you do, what you are looking for), bring copies of your resume, and aim for three good conversations rather than twenty rushed ones. More tips: job fair advice.
Networking habits that don't work
- Asking "Do you have any jobs?"
- It puts people on the spot, and the answer is usually no. Ask for advice and information instead; job leads follow from that.
- Collecting contacts instead of building relationships
- Hundreds of connections you never speak to are worth less than ten people who remember you.
- Mass messages
- A copied note sent to everyone reads as spam. A message with one personal line gets far more replies.
- Only reaching out when you need something
- Stay in touch while you are employed, too. A short note twice a year keeps the connection warm.
- Talking too much about yourself
- In a 20-minute conversation, aim to listen for most of it.
- Not following through
- If someone gives you a name or a tip, act on it and tell them you did. People help those who use their help.
- Going only to large events
- Big mixers produce many handshakes and few real conversations. One-on-one coffee or calls usually work better.