Your personal and professional connections can be invaluable when you are looking for a new job. Leveraging your network the right way can open doors, get your resume to the top of the pile, and help you land interviews. In this article, we will explore strategies for using your connections during a job search and provide tips for reaching out effectively.
Why are connections important for getting a job?
Connections can aid your job search in several key ways:
- Access to insider information – Your connections may have insight into unadvertised openings or upcoming opportunities at companies you want to target.
- Getting your resume seen – Referrals and employee recommendations carry weight and can prompt hiring managers to take a closer look.
- Opening the door to interviews – A connection can sometimes get you that critical first interview, allowing you to make your case in person.
- Providing recommendations – Strong endorsements from mutual connections you’ve worked with can boost your candidacy.
- Insider preparation – Connections may be able to coach you on what to expect from the hiring process, interviews, etc.
- Expanding your network – Your connections can potentially introduce you to more people who could aid your search.
The bottom line is that connections get you on the radar screen faster and help you stand out from the crowd of applicants. With someone vouching for you, you are no longer just a piece of paper.
Who are the most valuable connections to reach out to?
The most valuable connections to tap during your job search include:
- Former managers and colleagues – Past co-workers who can vouch for your work.
- College alumni – Fellow graduates especially at companies you are targeting.
- Friends in your industry – Peers who have insight into employers and openings.
- Second-degree connections – Friends of friends who work at desirable places.
- Mentors and professors – Seasoned contacts who advise and support you.
- Groups and associations – Industry organizations and networking groups provide access to many connections.
- Social and family contacts – You never know who people know that could be helpful!
Don’t rule out any potential relationship. Even weaker ties could still be valuable, especially for getting referrals that lead to first interviews. Cast a wide net when reaching out.
How can I proactively grow and leverage my network?
Successful networking isn’t something you only do when you need a new job. Maintaining strong connections and cultivating new ones should be a lifelong practice. Here are some ways to be more proactive:
- Ask for informational interviews to learn about companies and roles you’re interested in.
- Volunteer for industry associations and take on a leadership role if possible.
- Attend conferences and events to build connections in your field.
- Participate actively in alumni groups and keep your school updated on your latest contact information.
- Link up with former colleagues on professional social networks like LinkedIn.
- Introduce contacts to each other to help expand everyone’s networks.
- Keep your connections updated on what you are working on and ask how you can assist them.
- Offer to mentor new grads looking to enter your industry.
- Find a mentor who can give advice and open doors through their own network.
The more quality connections you develop over time, the more payoff you’ll see during your job hunt.
How do I ask someone to make an introduction or provide a referral?
Reaching out for help from a connection is nothing to be ashamed about. Most people are happy to lend a hand if approached in the right way. Here are some tips:
- Clearly state the specific help you are seeking – an introduction, referral, advice, etc.
- Only reach out to contacts who are likely to remember you and who you have an existing relationship with.
- Provide some background for the connection like where you met or worked together.
- Ask politely and thank them for considering your request for assistance.
- Make it easy for them to say yes by taking care of the logistics – provide your resume, a draft email, job description, etc.
- Only reach out if they work for the company or know it very well. Random referrals don’t carry much weight.
- Make clear you are not asking them to get you the job, just an opportunity to apply or interview.
A sample outreach email could be:
“Hi Jane,
I hope you are doing well! We worked together at Acme Company back in 2017. I wanted to reach out because I am currently seeking a Project Manager role at XYZ Corp where I know you have worked for many years. Would you be willing to provide an employee referral for me? I have attached my resume for your review. Please let me know if you have any questions or need any more information from me. I would sincerely appreciate the opportunity to get my resume before the hiring team there. Thank you in advance for your help!”
What is the best way to leverage LinkedIn?
LinkedIn can be a goldmine of connections if used strategically as part of your job search. Here are tips for getting the most from LinkedIn:
- Optimize your profile to showcase your skills and achievements. Recruiters often search LinkedIn profiles.
- Proactively grow your network by connecting with new contacts.
- Join industry or alumni LinkedIn groups to connect with more targeted contacts.
- Engage with connections by liking and commenting on their posts.
- Follow companies you want to work for to look for openings and make connections with employees.
- Research people you will be interviewing with to find common experiences.
- After interviews, connect with your interviewers and recruiters on LinkedIn to stay top of mind.
- Turn on job alerts to be notified of new postings that fit your search.
- Search for 2nd and 3rd degree connections at your target companies and ask for introductions.
LinkedIn is about quality not quantity connections. Focus on building genuine relationships, not just expanding your network for numbers sake.
How can I leverage connections from past jobs or internships?
Don’t let those valuable work connections fade just because you or they moved on to new roles and companies. Here are ways to continue benefiting from these relationships:
- Add former managers, colleagues, mentors etc. to your LinkedIn network.
- Send periodic updates on your career to maintain the relationship.
- Congratulate them on work anniversaries, promotions and new jobs.
- Meet up for coffee when you can, especially with those located nearby.
- Ask if they can provide references for you that detail your past work.
- Seek their input on jobs you are interested in applying for.
- Remind them of key accomplishments you worked on together.
- Tap them for introductions and referrals to their new employers or contacts.
You help them, and they help you. Offer to return the favor if they are also job seeking now or in the future.
What are tips for following up after getting a referral?
Once someone provides a referral for you, make sure you follow up to express your gratitude. You want your connection to be happy they connected you.
- Promptly send a thank you note or email to your connection.
- Let them know if you landed an interview based on their referral.
- Provide updates on the hiring process if you move forward.
- Ask if it’s alright to list them as the referrer on your job application.
- Offer to serve as a reference or provide a recommendation for them in the future.
- Send a small token of appreciation if you get hired, like a giftcard.
- Connect on LinkedIn and engage with their posts if you were not already connected.
- Tell them when you officially accept a job offer.
Showing appreciation for referrals and updating your network on results is the best way to encourage future support.
How can I leverage family connections?
Don’t underestimate the power of your family’s network! Even if your family isn’t in your industry, their connections may prove helpful in unexpected ways.
- Let family members know companies and roles you are targeting in your search.
- Ask if they have any friends, neighbors, former colleagues, etc. that have relevant ties and may be able to assist.
- See if your family’s business contacts with vendors, customers or other partners have any useful connections.
- Ask about reaching out to extended family like cousins, uncles, grandparents etc. to broaden your network.
- Use holiday gatherings as a networking opportunity to communicate that you are job seeking.
- Enlist your siblings’ friends who may be further along in their careers.
- Look for links to your target companies through civic groups, religious organizations, volunteer activities etc. that your family is part of.
You may find overlaps with family connections in surprising ways, so make sure to do your due diligence researching possibilities.
What are effective ways to network at industry events?
Industry meetups, association events, conferences and trade shows offer prime networking opportunities when job seeking. Here are tips for maximizing these events:
- Come prepared with business cards and an “elevator pitch” summarizing your background.
- Arrive early and stay late to increase your networking time.
- Identify the companies and contacts you want to connect with beforehand.
- Make a goal to have at least 5 quality conversations.
- Ask smart questions that demonstrate your knowledge and intrigue the person.
- Collect contact information and take notes on your interactions for future follow up.
- Connect with speakers and organizers who tend to be more senior level.
- Follow up within a week to solidify the new connection.
Conferences and events allow you to network efficiently and make contacts you otherwise may not interact with.
Should I ask connections for informational interviews?
Informational interviews can provide invaluable insights and expand your connections. It’s often easier to get granted informational interviews than formal job interviews.
Here are some best practices when requesting informational interviews:
- Intro yourself and explain how you got their contact and chose them.
- Note your interest in learning more about their company or career path.
- Have clear, thoughtful questions prepared rather than winging it.
- Offer to keep it to 20-30 minutes at a time that works for them.
- Say you are exploring options, not asking directly for a job.
- Express appreciation for their time and industry insights.
- Send a thank you email recapping your key takeaways.
- Connect on LinkedIn and keep them updated on your search progress.
Informationals lead to great conversations and critical insights you won’t glean from company websites.
How soon should I ask a new connection for help with my job search?
When reaching out to new networking contacts for job search support, keep these timing tips in mind:
- Don’t ask immediately upon connecting. Establish a relationship first.
- After initial rapport building, 4-6 weeks is a reasonable timeframe to ask for help.
- Ask how they prefer to be contacted – email, LinkedIn, phone etc.
- Avoid reaching out to the same connection repeatedly in a short time.
- If they refer or endorse you, wait until you progress before asking again.
- Follow their lead if they say “Let’s connect again in a few weeks/months.”
- Circle back if you tried contacting them before with no response.
- Gauge if they seem open to assisting – don’t force it if they seem reluctant.
Give a connection time to get to know you before seeking their aid. Rushing the process can backfire.
How can I grow my network when changing careers or locations?
Switching careers or moving to a new city both require expanding your connections in your new sphere. Strategies include:
- Join industry associations and network with local members.
- Attend startup community events – great for meeting entrepreneurs.
- Volunteer for organizations where you’ll encounter like-minded professionals.
- Find meetups related to your interests where you can make new friends.
- Introduce yourself to neighbors, community leaders and local business owners.
- Search LinkedIn for alumni from your school now working in your area.
- Take classes where you’ll interface with practitioners in your field of interest.
- Get to know well-connected parents through your kids’ school activities.
- Talk to contacts from your prior career – they likely know others who switched paths.
It takes effort to establish yourself in a new environment but it pays dividends for your career.
Should I tell my network I was let go from a job?
Being transparent about a job loss with your connections can be helpful, but avoid oversharing or negativity. Here are some dos and don’ts:
DO:
- Inform key contacts who may hear about it or ask about your status change.
- Explain you are now exploring new opportunities.
- Share high-level context if appropriate, but avoid badmouthing former employer.
- Emphasize you are open to connections and learning about new roles.
- Note any consulting, freelancing or interim work you are doing in meantime.
- Discuss lessons you learned that you will take to your next position.
DON’T:
- Make dramatic posts or vent about the situation on social media.
- Go into the specifics of why you were terminated unless close connection.
- Speak negatively about former managers or company.
- Use it as excuse to ask for money, loans, gifts, etc.
- Portray yourself as a victim.
- Wait too long before telling important contacts.
Be matter-of-fact, positive, and focused on the future when informing your network.
Conclusion
Leveraging your personal and professional connections is one of the most impactful things you can do to accelerate your job search results. By being proactive about networking before you need to job hunt, reaching out for referrals and introductions strategically, and continuously expanding your web of contacts, you will open doors that otherwise are closed to candidates who rely solely on applying to posted jobs. Fit networking into your life, not just when you are actively looking, to maximize the power of connections.