Why Networking Is the Top Thing You Should Start Doing Today
Secure Your Own Success and Opportunities You Never Even Dreamed Of
When I started to build my Master Your Product Design and UX Research Job Search Course on Maven, I sent out the survey to understand what job seekers struggle with the most.
I asked them to share the topics that could be most useful to their professional success in getting hired.
And of course, I provided some options:
Building your CV
Building your Portfolio
Building your Pitch - training on positioning and selling your expertise
Interview tips for every stage of a process
Mock interviews to build your confidence
Networking training - how to identify, reach out, and build relationships with your network
Other
I expected to speak a lot about Portfolios and CVs, and that a Pitch would be very much requested.
What I did not expect is that Networking would be in the TOP 3 requested topics:
That's right! Networking is one of the most requested topics that Job Seekers and those who are thinking about their future want to learn.
The reality of the 2024 job market is that you do need more than just a good portfolio and a CV to earn what you want to earn, go where you want to go, and be who you want to be.
And by “more” I mean that you need a strong Network.
Why We Struggle with Networking?
As Tim Sanders (and many Linkedin Influencers) said: “Your network is your net worth”.
And if you think it sounds stupid, most likely you don't have a strong network.
Because it is 100% true.
I think the real reason we're struggling so much is that we haven't spent time defining it.
There is no universal (well, tech companies) definition of what Networks and Networking are and how to best do it.
Very few of us know how to build it, How to keep it “warm”, What “warm” is, and things like that.
So let me try and fill this gap for you.
What is a Network?
Network - is a pool of people you've met offline or online in professional and sometimes even personal settings.
You know that “going to the pool” 🏊 is great for you.
But you can not do it too much.
So, mostly, you'd visit it for specific reasons, like relaxing, getting some exercise, meditating in the water, or just hanging with your friends.
5 Examples of Networking.
Let me just cut to the chaise:
Example 1:
Sometimes you go to a birthday of your friend and meet their other friend who is a founder of a start-up. In 1 hour you are discussing their hiring needs. Totally networking.
Example 2:
Sometimes your friend will travel to a place and you recall that a co-worker who was in the same company as you 5 years ago lives now in the same city. You reach out to ask for restaurant recommendations and also ask how their job is going. Networking too.
Example 3:
Your name got dropped somewhere and a stranger reached out to you to ask for quick advice. They say that they know another person who recommended you as the source of truth for their problem. I'd say it is networking.
Example 4:
You work very hard to get that promotion. Relationships with stakeholders would be one of the most important things that will be evaluated (it is actually 100% true). So you build those connections, get to know people, and help them be successful so they help you be successful. They leave the company and join the other one. It's Women's International Day and they recall all your hard work and ask you to speak at their new company's event. Of course, you will get to know many more people. To call it in one word, I would say "networking".
Example 5:
You decide to change a job and build a bit of a personal brand. You took time to think about what you want to do next. Then you find companies and roles that suit your requirements. Then you found people who potentially could help you get those roles. Now you start engaging with them, adding them on Linkedin, commenting on their posts, and sharing some interesting posts from other creators. Maybe you even wrote something and engaged in the discussion. This is also totally a networking move.
Why to Network?
I won't keep it long, because it is rather self-explanatory. However, I understand, that before you experience all the insane benefits that a network brings, it is very hard to tell how useful it is.
So let me share my own experiences and open doors that I got through my network:
I managed to set up my side business as a Job Search Advisor.
At first, I built my brand, but through my network, more and more people came to ask for my help to the point that Maven reached out and offered to help scale it up.I closed several recruitment side hustles without looking for clients [and earned extra cash]People would just reach out to me and ask if I knew someone. Because I keep a close eye on my network, I happen to know someone quite often, which allows me to either earn extra cash or do a favor that a person will be happy to return in the future.
I spoke at many events and several Conferences.All came through my network and recommendations from others to get me as a speaker.
I got to know people who I would never get to know if it was not for introductions.I spoke to VPs, Founders, Influencers, and all the amazing folks who make a lot of difference (and other things) through simple introductions. I have also introduced dozens of people and helped them to make an impact and in the end, earn.
I receive collaboration proposals from people who I've never worked before.Because I have a vast network, I seem credible. People vouch for me, and those who are looking for partners - choosing me.
How to Network [on Linkedin]?
There are a lot of places where you can start expanding your Network:
Your company is full of people who you'd like to network with. You won't be working together all this time and you want to be remembered well.
Meetups and Online events.
Courses.
Hang out with your successful friends who invite other friends.
Platforms like LinkedIn, SubStack, X, and whatever else you like.
It is really up to you how you want to start building it, but I think LinkedIn is by far the best place.
So, here is my tiny Networking proposal that could change your game forever:
1. Take 10 minutes - Add 5 new powerful profiles to my LinkedIn every day. Do not forget to add a note explaining why you think they are a great addition to your network.
Pro tip: Explain how you found them, and why you are reaching out to them specifically.
2. Take 10 minutes - Engage in 3-5 posts a day of people with a broad reach.
Pro tip: Do not ChatGPT your comments. If you feel strongly about something - share it. Worse case, you will be ignored. Best case - you will engage in the conversation with an Author and their audience.
3. Take 5 minutes - Send 3 messages to my existing powerful network to see how they are (and remind about yourself)
Pro tip: Being curious about people’s lives when you don't need anything from them is as personal as sending presents for birthdays.
4. Take 60 minutes - Have 2 coffee chats a week. Ask about them. But also talk about yourself.
Pro tip: Ask questions and try to learn as much as you can from another person. Say why you think their insights are right and how it is relevant to you. Reflect their knowledge on yourself in front of them. Anyone would like that.
5. Take 10 minutes - Post every day (sometimes even on a weekend) to be in everyone's feed nonstop.
Pro tip: If you can’t write, it's ok not to. But maybe you could post something super useful for everyone that someone else wrote?
Do it for 1 month, spending around 95 minutes each day and end up with:
✍ LinkedIn Profiles Added: 140
♻ Posts Engaged With 112
💌 Messages Sent: 84
☕ Coffee Chats: 8
💬 Posts Made: 28
As a bonus, I would love to also share with you GOOD and BAD example of networking to make it very clear.
Bad examples:
Connecting without a note
Reaching out to the wrong people
Asking for something right away
Not being clear about what exactly you want
Being rude to someone
Posting inappropriate content
Acting entitled
Good examples:
Having a clear explanation of why you want to be connected
Finding relevant people
Engaging first, asking second (I have folks who have been engaging with my content for weeks without asking anything...yet)
Becoming visible to build a rapport (commenting, linking, etc), reaching out directly after
Sharing your thoughts and opinions with your OWN target audience
Source: 🔗 Master Your Product Design and UX Research Job Search Course 🔗
Who to Network With?
Remember those times when people would write posts on Linkedin saying that “stupid recruiters have just 1 job, but yet they manage to send wrong messages to the wrong people? How pathetic is that"?
Well, good news for recruiters, now everyone is sending the wrong messages to the wrong people.
I recently got into a heated conversation in my comments. It was amongst the 3 of us: me, a Senior Product Designer, and a Chief Product Officer.
The whole point of a LinkedIn fight was not about the potential value of networking, but the success of the outreach that, I suppose, they both experienced.
Senior Product Designer claimed that no one will waste time on answering networking requests.
Chief Product Officer went beyond that and shared some "data”to prove me wrong:
Me:………
Not only do I completely disagree that no one will take the time to respond to you. But also, this data was FUNDAMENTALLY wrong because of their reach-out approach.
That made my point even stronger:
Reaching out to recruiters about roles is useless. Recruitment teams have been disproportionally affected by the layoffs and now 1000s of folks are sending their CVs to them. Why would then connect with you also on LinkedIn?
Then the executives… I mean, why would you reach out to directors, C-level, etc? Most of the time, they are not hiring managers. They may be the final decision-makers, but there is no way they will refer you for a role, or have anything to do with the top of the funnel anyways. That's common sense.
Design managers (middle managers) or any XFN team members, however, is a different topic.
Those are the people who are tasked to find a new team member. Some of them are also potential peers to you. So if you do reach out there is a MUCH bigger chance.
So how do you find the right people to Network with?
Imagine, I am a Senior Product Designer and I want to get another Senior Product Designer role. Here is what I'd do:
Utilize LinkedIn: Instead of reinventing the wheel, use LinkedIn to find the right people.
Search for Senior Product Designers: Use the LinkedIn search bar to find professionals currently in senior product design roles.
Search for other Cross-functional Team Members: Use the LinkedIn to find other team members who may be interested in bringing you to their company.
View Connections: Check your existing connections’ networks to find mutual contacts who are senior designers.
Follow Industry Leaders: Identify and follow thought leaders in product design. Engage with their content to increase visibility.
Then follow the steps from How to Network [on Linkedin] part 💁♀️
Final Thoughts.
The world is full of opportunities, but sometimes you have to know the right people to get them. So go ahead, and start building your net worth.
Good luck!
P.S. If you found this article useful and think you could benefit from more insights like this, join my course with a special 15% discount.
Email lenaiskul@gmail.com for details.
Love it's backed with data! Great article :)