This article on networking strategies is part of the Coaching Collective series, featuring tips and expertise from Flatiron School Career Coaches. Every Flatiron School graduate is eligible to receive up to 180 days of 1:1 career coaching with one of our professional coaches. This series is a glimpse of the expertise you can access during career coaching at Flatiron School.
Recruiting as we know it is broken. Just sending a resume to a company is no longer the best way to get hired. The fact is, an estimated 85% of jobs are filled via networking. The old age of “it’s not what you know but who you know” is very much true.
Why Just Applying Won’t Work
Most companies use an Application Tracking System (ATS). These filter resumes and determine whether a human should ever see at the application.
Unless your application is completely aligned with the screening requirements, it is unlikely a person will ever see your resume. For applicants with a nontraditional background – like many career changers have – this likelihood all but drops to zero.
To get a job, especially as a career change, you need to get noticed by a human.
Therefore, meeting people in your target market should be the #1 priority of a job seeker. It is through these conversations that you may be referred to someone with the power to make hiring decisions.
On that note, here are my top 5 networking strategies to land an interview:
Attend Networking Events
No matter your industry or role of interest, there are likely all sorts of virtual and in-person networking events to attend. I recommend checking out Meetup.com, Lunchclub.com, and other sites like them to find opportunities to meet people with similar interests.
It doesn’t necessarily have to be an industry-specific networking event either. You may be surprised by all of the common work interests and networks you’ll discover with the people you meet at events outside of your normal circle.
When attending these types of events focus on learning about the other attendees and connecting with them. If you find it easy to talk to new people, this option might be a good fit for you!
Join Communities
Joining a digital community of individuals with common interests could be considered passive networking. A good place to start is Slack Communities, Discords, and Social Media Networks. Here’s a list of the “47 Best Tech Communities To Join In 2023” from Hive Index.
Join groups on Linkedin and other social networks that align with your interests. Interact with people in those communities, share your background and your interests, and get to know others with similar interests. Expanding your network, even your non-professional one, may lead to opportunities coming from where you least expect them.
Leverage Your Existing Network
Look for groups to join or people to reach out to from schools you have attended, companies you have worked at, local groups you are a part of, etc.
Reach out to the Alumni Network at schools you’ve attended, and join their newsletters. Craft an email updating your social media contacts, business contacts, family and friends, and other contacts on what you have been up to and asking for an introduction to their networks, or write an intro on yourself and ask your network to share it – it will make it easier for people to help you.
Share Content With Your Target Audience
Social media is a powerful tool – leverage it!
Post content about your interests and share your knowledge, and look to position yourself as an expert in your field. Repost content that others with common interests might also like to see and share your knowledge. Comment or share your opinion, respond to comments, and interact with others posting interesting content.
Message Managers and Recruiters at Target Companies
Reach out to individuals at companies you would like to work at on LinkedIn. Target Managers and Leadership of the teams you would like to join. Ask to add them to your network, and once they join, shoot them a message! Share a bit about yourself, who you are, and what you are skilled at. Talk about your passions and interests and try to learn these things about them.
The goal in networking is ALWAYS to speak to someone, learn about them and their industry and role and share yours, and try to find ways to be of service to them through providing interesting content. You can also share projects you’ve worked on, offer support or advice, and work to create a connection and a relationship. Always focus on the value you can provide and being of service to others, and in turn, you may find others who offer to help you.
About Noreen Walczak
Noreen is an Executive Recruiter and Career Coach with 25 years of combined experience in Business Management, Recruitment, Financial Services, and Coaching. She is passionate about sourcing quality candidates for her clients and loves to assist companies in finding those hard-to-find individuals with a unique combination of skills “Unicorns”. With extensive experience building organizations, teams, and small businesses, she works with decision-makers to build out organizations and identify key employees.
