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We believe networking is about genuine human connection, plain and simple. And it doesn’t have to be all about collecting new contacts; it’s about deepening existing ones and making those relationships work for you. By tapping into your current relationships—coworkers, teammates, former colleagues, and even friends and family—you can create meaningful connections that feel natural and expand your professional circle (and thereby, expand your opportunities).
Your current network is a treasure trove of opportunities—if you know how to tap into it. Whether it’s reigniting dormant ties, leveraging professional relationships, or even reconnecting with family and friends, the key is to approach these connections with intention and authenticity. Here’s how to make the most of the people you already know.
Dormant ties are people you once knew but have lost touch with over the years. These connections are often overlooked, but they are incredibly valuable in networking. Reconnecting with dormant ties can unlock new ideas and help you tap into broader networks that extend beyond your current circle. Because these relationships already have a foundation of trust, reconnecting is efficient and can lead to fresh opportunities and expanded professional reach that would be harder to achieve through new connections alone.
Reaching out after a long time may feel awkward, but remember – you know these folks! This means there’s probably already a sense of trust and shared experiences, which will makes reconnecting easier.
Reconnect with 3 dormant ties: Pick 3 people you’ve lost touch with and reach out this week (Bonus points if they have similar professional interests, ties to a company or role you’re interested in, or have knowledge you’d love to learn from!). Send a friendly message expressing genuine interest in catching up—ask what they’ve been up to and share a bit about yourself. Tell them something you’re exploring professionally and mention that you'd love to exchange ideas or hear their perspective.
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Believe it or not, friends and family are an often overlooked part of our professional network. These are your people and they know you best. They may not be in your industry (or even know what you actually do), but they are strong advocates for you and often know people in their own networks who could help.
List 3 friends or family members who might have connections in your field of interest. Reach out and ask if they know someone who could offer advice or insights.
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You’re already collaborating with them daily. Whether it’s teammates, cross-functional colleagues, or even senior leaders, your coworkers have valuable insights and connections – at your company and beyond. Teammates understand your work best and can advocate for you or introduce you to their networks. Cross-department relationships broaden your skill set and expose you to new areas of the business, opening doors to opportunities beyond your current role. Even casual conversations with colleagues, like grabbing coffee with someone from IT, can expand your network.
We’re glad that you’re not only cold-applying to roles. Using a variety of application strategies, like getting referred by a former colleague or attending a job fair, can help you break through.
Cold-applying for roles is one of many ways that you can land your next gig, but it should never be your only strategy. You can also try:
Staying focused on the roles that are really aligned to your skills and ambitions is a great way to make sure that you’re not wasting your efforts on activities with little to no return. Stay focused here!
We get it: the job hunt can be exhausting and it can be tempting to start mass applying to roles. Unfortunately, doing so will likely only make your situation more frustrating: the more times you are declined for a role, it will inevitably make you feel even more burnt out and discouraged.
Instead, focus your energy on the roles that are truly interesting to you and make sure your application is as strong as it can be. Always consider tailoring your resume for the role and add a strong cover letter to help you stand out.
Whether you’re sending a thank you note or checking in after a few days of no response, it’s smart to be proactive and reach out to hiring managers and recruiters to keep your name in sight and in mind. Keep it up!
There are few things more impactful than a great thank you note after an interview. Be sure to always send one to folks you interview with, and be specific as to why you enjoyed the conversation. If they don’t get back to you with next steps by the expected date, reach out directly to check in.
We’re glad that you’re not reinventing the wheel when writing cover letters. While it’s always smart to repurpose some of your cover letter, remember to customize a few details to help align your letter to the role you’re applying for.
Great cover letters can be really impactful, but they can also take a lot of time. We recommend having a “default” cover letter that outlines who you are, what you’ve done, and where you want to go next. From there, you can make small tweaks to the cover letter based on what role you’re applying for.
Staying connected with your current network is a great way to learn about new opportunities that you may not have found on your own. As you’re connecting with folks, remember to be open about the fact that you’re looking for a new opportunity and you’d appreciate any connections or introduction they can offer.
Your network is probably one of your most underutilized resources. The more people you connect with, the more people can advocate for you and connect you to new opportunities.
Your friends and family can be some of your most trusted advocates. Keep sharing with them to help keep your job search on track and aligned to the things that make you, you.
Your friends and family are likely some of your biggest supporters. Even if you’ve never talked to them about your professional ambitions before, it’s never too late to share what you’re interested in and the types of roles you’re looking for. You’ll be surprised by how much insight, support, and ideas they’ll have to help.
Feeling confident reaching out to new folks is a great advantage on the quest of landing an interview. When you’re reaching out, be sure to include a specific reason why you’re interested in connecting.
We get it: reaching out to new connections on LinkedIn can be intimidating.
If you’re mostly afraid of rejection (aka: not hearing back from someone or being told no to a meeting), don’t let that deter you. Hearing “No” is part of the process of landing a job, but the key is to let others tell you no vs. telling yourself no before you even try.
If you’re unsure what to say: remember that specificity is key. Include details about why you’re reaching out to this individual in particular and avoid generic reasons for connecting.
“I already have a network. It is full of opportunities—I just need to tap into it.”
“I have something valuable to offer in every conversation, even with people I haven’t spoken to in a while.”
“There’s power in the process. Even if my outreach doesn’t lead to the exact outcome I want, I’m gaining confidence, refining my approach, and learning more about myself in the process.”
Say to others:
Dormant Ties: “Hey Alex, it’s been a while! Hope you’re doing well! I see you’ve had a successful run at Big Tech Inc since we’ve last worked together – looks awesome and congrats. I’m still having a great time at Boutique Agency X, but am starting to explore some other opportunities. If you’re open to it, I’d love to catch up soon and hear more about what you’ve been up to and how you like Big Tech Inc; and of course share all the latest and greatest Boutique Agency X. Let me know if I can take you to coffee in the next couple of weeks.”
Tip: Just a dash of specificity and personality makes a big difference with dormant ties. Use weekend language – this doesn’t need to feel formal or uptight, but more of a pleasant surprise hello from an old friend.
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Co-Workers: “Hey Jonah. Nice work on that presentation at the All Hands last week! I’m always so impressed with the work you and your team are doing; I’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today. Candidly, I’m exploring a variety of career paths for myself and I’d love to hear more about your journey. Would you be open to a 20 min chat on a day that works best for you?”
Tip: Reaching out with kudos first, and a request second is a great way to build natural rapport.
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Friends and Family: "Hey Aunt Jamie, I’ve always been curious about your career path and how you got to where you are today. I’d love to hear your story and get some advice. Also, I know you have a connection at [Company], and since I’m exploring opportunities there, I’d really appreciate any insights or an introduction if you think it makes sense."
Tip: Your friends and family are notoriously overlooked as sources of career inspiration. Because you already have a foundational relationship with these people, you can keep your ask cool and casual.
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