Having a mutual connection with someone on the hiring team at a company you’re interested in can be advantageous when job searching on LinkedIn. It provides an additional way for you to get your resume and credentials directly in front of the right people at that company. However, just one mutual connection doesn’t guarantee anything when it comes to getting hired. There are several factors to consider when leveraging mutual connections during your job search.
The Benefits of Having a Mutual Connection
Here are some of the main benefits that come with having even just one mutual connection at a company you’re interested in:
- Gets your resume noticed – When you apply for a job online, your resume goes into a database that may contain hundreds or thousands of other applicants. A mutual connection gives you a leg up by enabling you to send your resume directly to someone on the hiring team.
- Provides an introduction – That mutual connection can introduce you to the hiring manager or others at the company, whether through email or LinkedIn messaging. This gives you a powerful endorsement right off the bat.
- Opens up networking opportunities – Getting connected to one person at a company enables you to expand your network. You can ask that connection for intros to others at the company who you can build relationships with.
- Shows you have an “in” – Having a mutual connection signals to the company that you’re not a complete stranger. You know someone who can vouch for you. This social proof provides value during the hiring process.
- Can give you insider info – The mutual connection may be able to provide details about the company’s culture, values, hiring process, and requirements for the role. This allows you to tailor your application accordingly.
So in summary, that one mutual connection can get your foot in the door, help you expand your network, give you a degree of social credibility, and offer insider advice. Even if they aren’t directly involved in hiring for the role, they can alert the right members of their team that you have applied and are worth considering.
Limitations of Having Just One Connection
While one mutual connection is certainly better than none, it has its limitations in boosting your candidacy. Here are some factors to keep in mind:
- Can only do so much – That one connection can introduce and recommend you, but they likely won’t have the final say in hiring. So they can get you on the radar but not guarantee a job offer.
- May not be closely tied to role – Your mutual connection might not work in the department you’re applying to or have influence with the hiring manager. So their referral may not carry as much weight.
- Depends on relationship strength – A casual LinkedIn connection may not be willing to stick their neck out for you compared to someone you know well and has seen you succeed.
- Hiring process still applies – You’ll still have to go through application, interviews, skills testing, etc. Like all candidates. One connection alone rarely leads to circumventing the process.
- Can backfire if issues – If the mutual connection has a negative experience in referring you, it can actually hurt your chances with others at the company.
The main takeaway is that a single mutual connection is not a golden ticket to getting hired. It should be viewed as one potential advantage that requires effort on your part to properly leverage.
How to Leverage a Mutual Connection
To make the most of having a mutual connection, here are some tips:
- Research connection’s role – Understand their position, influence, and potential motivation to help you out. Gauge how much pull they likely have.
- Craft a strong intro message – Explain your interest in the company and the role. Highlight key qualifications. Ask if they’d be willing to intro you to the hiring manager.
- Provide an updated resume – Give them your latest resume so they can speak directly to your fit and qualifications for the position.
- Ask for insider advice – Get their take on the company culture, values, challenges of the role, important skills to highlight, etc. Use those insights to strengthen your approach.
- Express appreciation – Thank them for taking the time, whether the outcome is positive or negative. Nurture the relationship.
- Don’t become over-reliant – Continue other application and networking efforts. Don’t depend solely on that one connection.
It’s also key to build new connections at the company beyond just the initial mutual contact. Reach out through LinkedIn to employees in the department you want to work in to broaden your network.
Other Ways to Get Referrals
Beyond mutual connections on LinkedIn, here are some other referral approaches to consider:
- Check with college alumni networks – Fellow graduates who now work at companies you’re targeting can be great referrers.
- Talk to past managers and colleagues – See if your former bosses or coworkers have contacts at target companies that they could connect you with.
- Attend industry events – Conferences and meetups are full of opportunities to network and meet “warm” referrers.
- Consider cold outreach – If all else fails, politely reach out through email or LinkedIn to HR managers and hiring decision-makers to express interest.
A warm referral will always be most impactful, but don’t shy away from making new contacts. The more touchpoints you have, the better your chances.
Weighing One Mutual Connection vs. Other Factors
When assessing a potential job opportunity, there are a few key factors to balance beyond just the number of mutual connections:
- Role alignment – Consider how closely the position matches your skills, interests, experience, and career goals.
- Company culture – Get a sense of the work environment, values, and mission to gauge your fit.
- Career growth – Look for opportunities to develop new skills and expand your responsibilities over time.
- Compensation – Salary, benefits, equity, and other perks and bonuses all impact the attractiveness of the role.
- Location – On-site roles, hybrid policies, commute times, and other locale factors are variables to weigh.
Connections can help you get a foot in the door, but ultimately you want to land a job and company where you’ll thrive in the long-term beyond just the hiring process. Assess all elements before making a decision.
Conclusion
A single mutual connection with the hiring team provides some useful advantages when job searching, but it rarely guarantees instant hiring on its own. Leverage that connection for introductions, referrals, insider advice, and expanding your network. But also make the effort to build new contacts at the company beyond just that initial link. Evaluate the role and company holistically based on several criteria, not just the number of mutual connections. With a thoughtful and proactive approach, one quality referral contact can ultimately help propel your candidacy forward.