What no one tells you is that the most common thing you’ll experience during job search is that you’ll seldom get a response to your first request for a networking chat. 

Persistence is required and following up is not pushy!

Here’s the other thing to keep in mind. There are many reasons a professional might not reply right away:

• Their inbox is overflowing and they simply forgot.
• They missed your message or mistook it for spam.
• They were busy when it arrived and intended to reply later.

As you set up your networking strategy, automatically plan for a follow-up a week later if there is no response. 

Below you’ll find more information to make following up after your initial request for a chat less stressful and easy for the person to reply “yes” to. 

Optimal Follow-Up Timing and Frequency

Wait a week after you send your first message, then send your first follow-up message. Plan to follow up 2-3 times, wait a week between each outreach. It may seem like a lot, but think about how noisy your inbox is. It’s easy for things to get overlooked.

Whether you follow up 2 or 3 times depends on how important the person is to your search. The thing to remember is that you should expect and plan to send at least one follow-up message. 

How to Avoid Sounding Like a Marketer

Avoid saying things like “just checking in” or “bubbling this to the top of your email.” This doesn’t sound like you care or are genuinely interested in having a conversation with the person. Give them a reason to say yes and make it easy. 

How to Avoid Sounding Like an AI Bot

With so many people using AI tools to help write emails, go a step beyond to include something specific or personal in your message. Mention your connection to the person who referred you, or something about their background that genuinely interests you. Use language that a real person would use. Be professional but not too formal. 

Focusing on Connections Rather Than Job Requests

Remember, you are asking for a conversation to learn more about their work, experience at the company, or their industry. You are NOT asking for a job. 

Keep Your Asks Small and Manageable

Some job seekers ask for too much, and the person receiving the message feels overwhelmed or unable to help. Also avoid using the phrase “pick your brain” because this feels like you are asking for too much. Keep your request simple. This is why you are only asking for a 15-20-minute meeting. It’s not a huge investment of time. Stay away from asking for a resume review, introductions to other people, or basic information you could have researched on your own. 

Alternative Networking Channels and Workarounds

Here are a couple of workarounds to try that may help you get a response: 

Reach out via another platform

If you sent your message on LinkedIn, you can’t be sure the person is active there, so send an email. Or perhaps they don’t check the email account you sent your request to very often. You could try using an “open receipt” tool to verify the email address is valid. 

Get help from a mutual contact

If you have been given the name by someone else, reach out and explain that you haven’t heard back. The person who referred you may know something about their schedule. Your contact may also be willing to reach out to them to ask what is going on. 

Pro Tip: Always include your contact information in your email signature section. Include your name, phone number, email address and LinkedIn URL. This makes it easier for someone to either research you or contact you. 

Networking Follow-Up Email Templates

Below are three sample emails. The first is a first follow up, then if you don’t hear back again, send the second, and the third email is the final attempt. 

Sample 1: Initial Networking Follow-Up

Subject: Re: Quick conversation about [topic]

Hi [Name],

I wanted to follow up on my note from last week in case it got buried. I’d still love to connect for 15-20 minutes to talk about [topic].

If it helps, I’m flexible on timing and happy to work around your schedule. Even a quick call or a few email exchanges would be great.

Thanks so much,

[Your name]
[Phone number]
[Email address]
[LinkedIn URL]

Sample 2: Value-Add Follow-Up Email

Subject: Re: Conversation about [topic] + something interesting

Hi [Name],

Following up on my earlier email. In the meantime, I came across [article / resource / idea] that made me think of your work on [specific thing], so I thought I’d share it: [link or one-line summary].

I’d still welcome the chance to chat about [topic] when you have a moment. Would [day/time] or [day/time] work for a brief call?

Best,

[Your name]
[Phone number]
[Email address]
[LinkedIn URL]

Sample 3: Final Follow-Up Attempt

Subject: Re: Conversation about [topic] – last note from me

Hi [Name],

I know your inbox is probably overflowing, so this will be my last follow-up. If a conversation about [topic] isn’t a good fit right now, I completely understand. If I don’t hear back from you, I won’t reach out again.

If you’re interested but short on time, I’d be glad to send over a few questions you could answer by email instead.

Either way, thank you for considering it.

All the best,

[Your name]
[Phone number]
[Email address]
[LinkedIn URL]

Key Best Practices Summary

Here is a quick breakdown of key best practices when following up on networking outreach:

• Plan for follow-ups: Automatically build follow-up steps into your strategy since initial messages are often missed or buried.
• Maintain consistent timing: Wait about one week between outreach attempts, following up 2 to 3 times depending on the contact’s importance.
• Avoid marketer clichés and AI text: Skip robotic or generic phrases like “just checking in,” and personalize your message with specific details or mutual connections.
• Focus on conversations, not jobs: Frame your request around learning about their industry or experience rather than asking directly for job openings.
• Keep requests small: Ask for short 15–20 minute chats and avoid burdensome favors like resume reviews or generic advice.
• Try alternative approaches: Switch communication channels (e.g., LinkedIn vs. email) or ask a mutual contact for assistance if you hear no response.
• Include a complete signature: Always end your emails with your full contact information, including phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile URL.

The post Networking Follow-Up Strategy: How & When to Reach Out appeared first on Career Sherpa.

Key Takeaways

Huntr’s Q3 2026 report highlights key trends across today’s hiring landscape. Here are what I believe are the top 9 job seekers should be aware of: how long it takes to secure interviews, top sources of interview conversions, wage expectations, increasing AI skill requirements, and more!

1. Starting A Job Search Takes Momentum

You are building your job search plan from scratch, so it takes time to refine your resume, get used to applying for jobs, and build connections. 

What Huntr found was that it takes 52 days to secure that first interview. This is 4 days faster than last quarter but 5 days longer than this time last year. 

The bottom line is that securing your first interview will likely take longer than you want or expect! 

2. Timeframe To Get A Job Offer 

Again, to set your expectations about how long this process can take, based on other job seekers, securing that first offer takes a median of 102 days. This is the longest time to first offer in the past year. 

4. Applications To Interview

Job search is a bit of a numbers game. But as you can see, applying to more jobs did not increase the number of people securing a first interview.  

What Huntr data also said was that it took 10 applications to generate an interview. 

And looking at the chart below, it shows that job seekers who applied to 1-10 jobs had a 10.5% interview rate versus those who applied to 100+ jobs and had an interview rate of 2.4%

Here’s the takeaway. Quality over quantity wins. Apply for jobs you are interested in and qualified for. 

5. Lower Salary Expectations

In a competitive and tight job market, job seekers are adjusting their salary expectations. 60% reported lowering their salary expectations. The majority of respondents said they would lower salary expectations by $5-$10 thousand. 

6. Source of Interviews

A smart job search diversifies where job seekers look for opportunities. While not all methods have the same success rate for every job seeker, it’s important to NOT rely solely on job postings. They are an easy target and often, hiring managers are overwhelmed by the number of applications. 

• 58% got an interview by applying online
• 18% said a recruiter reached out
• 13% had an employee referral
• 11% credited networking

One of the things that has always been difficult to prove is a single source. Sometimes people will see a job online and apply, then speak with a person they know inside the company. When reporting how they got their interview, do they credit the application or the referral? 

For this reason, it’s important to keep in mind that more than one of these methods can contribute to securing an interview. 

7. Top Job Sites for Job Interviews

Many job seekers rely on a single job board/site to uncover opportunities. And the sites they use matter, as Huntr’s data shows. 

Recruiters and companies have different strategies for posting job openings. If you aren’t aware of the job site a company uses to announce openings, you may miss it. That’s where Google comes in. It searches every major job board to help you discover opportunities you may have missed. This is probably why Google has the highest interview conversion rate.

• 9.9% for Google Job Search
• 7.9% for GovernmentJobs
• 6.2% for Welcome to the Jungle
• 6.2% for USAJobs
• LinkedIn only has an interview rate of 3.6% 

One place almost every company will post an opening is on their own company career site. 

Company career sites have an even higher interview rate that job boards. Applications sent through employer career sites got interviews at 6.0%, against 4.8% through applicant tracking system (ATS) pages and 3.4% through job boards.

8. Tailor Your Resume

Most job seekers know it’s important to tailor their resume for the job they apply to. This chart shows that only 33% of job seekers customize their resume for every application. Overall, 64% do tailor their resume most or all the time. 

9. AI Skills On the Rise in Job Ads

There has been a steady increase in the mention of AI skills in job postings over the past few years. What Huntr found this quarter was that 14% of job postings referenced an AI skill. In 2024, AI skills were mentioned just 7% of the time. 

AI skills are more than the AI tool. AI skills can mean understanding how to ask a tool to interpret data, create a chart, summarize, etc. 

It would be a good idea to see what AI skills are being mentioned in jobs you are interested in so you can begin bridging the gap. 

For example, you can use AI in many ways during your job search. From research to analysis to skill identification. Be sure to rely on your own critical thinking. 

Summary

• Securing a first interview takes a median of 52 days.
• Securing a first offer takes a median of 102 days, the longest time in the past year.
• Quality over quantity wins, with candidates applying to 1–10 jobs yielding a 10.5% interview rate compared to 2.4% for 100+ applications.
• 60% of job seekers reported lowering their salary expectations, most commonly by $5k–$10k.
• 58% of candidates landed their last interview by applying online, followed by recruiter outreach (18%), employee referrals (13%), and networking (11%).
• Google Job Search led all job sites with a 9.9% interview conversion rate, while employer career sites outperformed job boards at 6.0% vs. 3.4%.
• 64% of job seekers customize their resume most or all of the time, with 33% tailoring it for every application.
• 14% of job postings referenced an AI skill. In 2024, AI skills were mentioned just 7% of the time.

Where Does The Data Come From?

Drawing from a dataset of 152,742 saved jobs, 84,753 applications, and feedback from 329 survey responses, Huntr’s Q3 2026 report highlights key trends across today’s hiring landscape.

Geographically, the United States leads with 51.1% of location-specified listings, followed by Colombia, Germany, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Sector-wise, Internet Software & Services represents the largest share at 31.9%, with Professional Services comprising 16.5%.

In terms of candidate experience, 44.5% of resumes targeted entry-level roles, 22.8% focused on mid-level positions, and 32.7% aimed at senior-level opportunities.

The post Trends Job Seekers Need To Know Based On Huntr Q3 2026 Research appeared first on Career Sherpa.

Learn what strengths introverts possess and how to make the most of them during job search.

Mastering the Job Search as an Introvert: Tips and Strategies That Work 

By leveraging thoughtful networking strategies and mastering tailored introvert job interview tips, you can highlight your natural abilities; such as active listening, deep analytical thinking, and strategic preparation. These will enable an introvert to truly stand out and excel.

What Are the Strengths of Introverts?

These are some of the noteworthy characteristics of introverts!

• Prefer to think before they act.
• Need time to formulate ideas in their heads before talking about them.
• Prefer depth over breadth; this is true of relationships and information. An introvert prefers fewer deep and meaningful relationships over hundreds of contacts. Introverts also tend to dive deep into topics they are interested in.
• Creative (either in solving problems or in the arts)
• Often good at thinking up strategies
• Make good innovators
• Humble
• Take calculated risks (based on fact-finding)
• Remain calm under pressure
• And most importantly, introverts regain energy by being alone.

Translating Introvert Strengths Into High-Value Career Skills

Not all introverts are the same, but many share these skills:

• Good listening skills
• Analytical skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Strong concentration abilities
• One-on-one communication

Debunking the Myth: Introverts Are NOT Shy

You are not shy or anti-social, but that is how you are often perceived by people who first meet you. You can fix that! And actually, you HAVE to fix that during job search.

We live in a society that expects outgoing, gregarious types. But this doesn’t mean you have to put on a fake, over-the-top persona. All you have to do is…

Acknowledge and accept the fact that you may be perceived as shy or anti-social or less than approachable.

It sounds obvious, but some people don’t realize this is how they come across. Own it and take preventative measures. These are the simple and immediate fixes you can implement today:

Smile! When you first meet someone or walk into a room.

Introduce yourself first! Don’t hang against the wall waiting for a familiar face or for someone to reach out to you.

Learn the art and science of small talk! Having conversational currency helps. Here are 10 tips to help you come across as interested and interesting.

Stop Making Excuses! Sure this is difficult, uncomfortable, yucky, and all that, but self-development is part of life. Start stepping outside your comfort zone.

Proven Networking Strategies Tailored for Introverts

I am an introvert. I’ve been born with and developed many other personality flaws and strengths and they make me the quirky, unique, sometimes lovable person I am today. Are you an introvert too?

1. Focus on Meaningful One-on-One Connections

The thought of networking in a big crowd is scary, repulsive, intimidating and many other less-than-positive descriptors to an introvert. It isn’t as though they can’t network—they can—they’re just more comfortable meeting individuals one at a time. And because introverts are good listeners, they come across as likable.

The secret to maximizing your listening skills is not to worry about what you will say next.

Before meeting with someone, construct a list of questions you want to ask.

Feel free to write these questions down and refer to them if you need to. A list of questions will help you feel more confident.

2. Master Small Talk with Strategic Questions

Introverts tend to dislike small talk and this often leads to the perception that they’re shy or unfriendly.

Shoot down this misconception by developing a repertoire of questions you can use to make small talk.

When you use these questions, you won’t feel the pressure of not knowing what to say and you can move on to building rapport.

Having questions ready to go is particularly important when you’re meeting someone for the first time. A little sleuthing on social media might also provide some details that make it easier to engage in small talk.

3. Articulate Your Ideas with Preparation

Introverts are strong at ideation, that is, the creative process of generating, developing and communicating new ideas. They just need time to think.

In a job interview situation, you may not have as much time to process your ideas and answers and formulate a confident response.

With a little planning, an introvert can anticipate likely scenarios he or she can prepare for in advance.

And it’s absolutely alright to ask for time to respond during a job interview. You may even want to explain that you need a moment to formulate your answer before you speak.

4. Protect Your Energy with Buffer Time

When possible, build time into your day to recharge. That means scheduling a job interview or meeting and allowing yourself time after the event to be alone and recharge.

Be sure you ask how much time to allocate for an interview. It will help you gauge how much energy you will need to store up.

5. Practice Interview Scenarios to Build Agility

There will be times when you are asked an unexpected question or put in an unanticipated situation. This requires some thinking on your feet!

The more practice and experience you have interviewing and networking, the more comfortable you will be in crafting your response.

You can and should roll play interview scenarios and craft accomplishment stories to answer questions.

6. Leverage Phone Screenings to Your Advantage

Introverts prefer to text or email rather than speak on the phone.

But you can take advantage of the fact that you’re masked behind the phone. You can have your notes, script and research in front of you to reference without notice.

Remember to smile while you talk and add more inflection to your voice than you may normally do in person. You want to make sure the caller can hear your interest and enthusiasm.

If caught off guard by a phone call, be sure to ask for a minute so you can gather your materials.

7. Channel Authentic Passion in Conversations

Introverts can be passionate and when given the opportunity to speak around a topic of interest, they even exude confidence.

Look and listen for opportunities to share topics you are passionate about during a job interview and when networking.

Better yet, plan ways to gently steer the conversation toward these areas and ask questions. Undoubtedly, you will have an opportunity to share your accomplishments.

8. Practice Active Listening and Employer Research

Exploring the employer’s needs and expected performance outcomes is another strength of introverts. 

As Stephen Covey said: Seek first to understand, then be understood. 

It is important to conduct research on the company so you can formulate thoughts and translate them into questions.

All conversations (networking and job interviews) should be a mutual exchange of information and fact-finding.

Tap into your introverted tendency to seek answers and develop creative solutions.

9. Reframe Mindset and Embrace Self-Acceptance

Lisa Petrilli, author of “The Introvert’s Guide to Success In Business and Leadership,” writes about networking for introverts. 

In one post, she writes about her experience as an introvert at a conference. Petrilli suggests overcoming the dreaded “they’re just not into me” message by extending yourself.

She also learned that, to varying degrees, most people are not that comfortable networking. When she made the effort to introduce herself to someone, she found in almost every instance, she was warmly received.

My final thoughts: Rather than try to change who I am, I’ve reached a time in my life where I am OK with some of these things. (The truth- some still puzzle and annoy me.) I wish I had figured this out sooner! But maybe it was the passing of time and developing a greater sense of self-awareness that led me where I am today.e it was the passing of time and developing a greater sense of self awareness that led me where I am today.

Originally appeared on US News & World Report On Careers

The post Introverts- Tap Into Your Strengths During Job Search appeared first on Career Sherpa.

10 Proven Job Search Strategies to Land Your Next Role Faster

If your job search has hit a wall, repeating the same routine won’t produce different results, so it’s time to overhaul your approach.

Step away from endless job board scrolling. Here are 10 high-impact strategies to take control of your career search and connect directly with opportunities.

1. Use A Proactive Job Search Strategy

Don’t wait for a company to post a job; identify potential employers and pursue them.

Leave no stone unturned. Create a list of at least 50 companies that are likely to need someone who does what you do.  Now you can follow these employers on LinkedIn (and other social media platforms), and in the news to see what they are up to. You might even be able to connect with people who work inside the organization (isn’t the whole idea to meet company insiders BEFORE a job is posted anyway?)

2. Research Your Industry & Occupation

Know what skills are in demand, understand new trends in your industry and keep up with what those 50 companies are up to! You have to know what technology is being required, what the challenges are, and what the direction your occupation is headed in as well as your industry. Your goal is to be up-to-date and speak intelligently about what’s going on in your field. It makes you valuable!

3. Sell Your Personal Brand

No, not in a slimy way, but in a convincing way.

Get your name and reputation out there. Right now, you are a well-kept secret who’s been doing a great job inside a company and no one knows this. When you introduce yourself, use language that everyone can understand and make it interesting. Remove cliché taglines, trite language, overused, meaningless keywords. Tell mini-stories instead. Make sure your resume highlights accomplishments, not job duties. Finally, build an online portfolio! This is one thing you can easily do to ensure your name will show up in search results. But if you’re not up to that task, at least convert your resume into a multimedia online sales tool!

4. Maximize LinkedIn

You don’t need to take a class, but you do need to know how to optimize your LinkedIn profile and use it. Watch a video or read online articles so you fully understand the best practices. This tool will be around for a while, and you’ll want to use it once you are employed too! FYI, recruiters and hiring professionals are using LinkedIn to find candidates.

Your profile should be complete; that means it’s at “All-Star” status. Also, make sure you are using the right skills and keywords in your profile. Finally, and most importantly, be active! Post and comment regularly. Stay focused on topics directly related to your occupation and industry, and comment/congratulate people in your network!

5. Create A Campaign

Treat your job search like a marketing campaign. Create awareness of who you are and the value you add. All marketing starts by identifying the needs and wants of your ideal employer. Use social media to build awareness. There are lots of creative ways to promote your talents! And don’t forget to use email marketing to stay in touch with your network. You’ll need these people as your informants, allies and advocates!

6. Improve Your Visibility

You don’t want to be a well-kept secret. You want to attract recruiters based on the value you deliver! It’s called pull marketing! You can do this by writing articles – either on your own website, on LinkedIn or as a guest post. Tap into professional associations and groups and get involved! If you’re up for it, deliver a presentation or sit on a panel. Heck, you may even be a guest on a podcast!

7. Have More Conversations

Most external hiring comes through referrals. So spend more time meeting people and less time applying for jobs online. Your chances of landing a job because you know someone inside the hiring company are greater! This means you’ll need to be strategic – know who you want to meet and why. And don’t forget to touch base with past colleagues, vendors, suppliers, and clients! They all have a finger on the pulse! Social media is great for building new online relationships, but the magic happens when you actually meet IRL (in real life). Schedule coffee or a video call!

8. Be A Giver – Not A Taker

A misunderstood principle of networking is that you have to be a strong communicator. The truth is, you need to be a good listener. Your focus during every conversation should be on the other person. Ask good questions and look for ways you can help them. Other ways to give back include volunteering, helping others, teaching what you know. Giving back comes in many forms and makes you feel better! 

9.  Stop Saying You’re Looking For a Job

When you confess that you are looking for a job, you sound desperate. And that is not the look you want. People do want to help, but you have to make it easy for them. Ask for information they can easily provide about their company, their career path, the industry, etc. You’ve been out of the job market for a while so you genuinely do need information about what other companies are doing and what problems they are facing. When asked what you do, be clear in your messaging about the problems you solve and where you’ve been successful.

10. Be Positive

Complaining and lack of self-confidence don’t work to your advantage. Everyone knows this is an especially difficult time for you. Put your best foot forward and let people see the best side of you! Employers hire for attitude over skills!

Yes, you do need a darn good resume, but…

Now, having said all this, I know that having a strong, accomplishment-based resume is always a good thing. The resume must be customized for every job you apply to so it clearly conveys how you meet their requirements. No guesswork or reading between the lines required. It should include:  

• your unique strengths  
• what problems you will solve for them
• how a company will benefit from hiring you 

It should be error-proof and truthful. Yes, you have to have a good one, but do these other 10 things first!

Do you need help putting the pieces together? Contact me!

This was originally posted on the JobMob, 10 Sure-Fire Ways to Boost Your Job Search as part of their blogging contest and received quite a bit of traffic.

The post 10 Ways to Boost Your Job Search appeared first on Career Sherpa.

The reality of today’s world of work is that your job could end tomorrow, no matter how valuable you are or how secure you think your job is.

No one’s job is safe any longer. This is why you want to take steps today to proactively manage your career. 

Don’t let a layoff derail your career or self-confidence. Instead, focus your career trajectory in terms of what you learned and how you have overcome challenges. 

Today’s workforce is volatile, and employers are looking for employees who demonstrate learning agility and resilience. 

1. Identify Your Impact

Hiring managers and executive recruiters want to know how you will solve their problems, not just that you can do the job. This is why you want to pinpoint your motivation PLUS the business case for hiring you. 

• What do you love doing within your role?
• What motivates you to go to work?
• What types of people do you enjoy working with? 
• What kinds of problems do you like to solve? 
• What has been one of your most memorable accomplishments?
• What complex problems do I solve that others struggled with?

These are not easy questions. However, they are absolutely the most important ones to answer first!

2. What Would Your Job Look Like?

Before you start searching the job boards, identify what you want from your next job. 

• Would you go to an office?
• What would the office look like?
• What kinds of people would work there?
• How would your day be structured/how would you spend your time?
• What kinds of things would you be doing?
• Who would you report to?
• How would you like to be compensated?
• What recognition would you need to feel good about the work you do?

Answer these questions without filtering out answers. Just put the answers on the paper for now.

3. Define Your Value Proposition

Career success for mid-level workers isn’t just about what you’ve done; it’s about the return on investment you bring to an organization. Instead of listing duties, clearly articulate the specific business outcomes you drive.

• What complex, high-stakes problems do you solve that others struggle to crack?
• How do your specific contributions directly impact the company’s bottom line or operational efficiency?
• Which industries or functions currently have a high demand for the specific “Return on People” you offer?

Reframing your experience in terms of business impact positions you as an essential problem-solver, not just another resume.

4. Transferable Skills

Many of the skills you use today can translate into different roles. In some cases, you may not even realize the skills you have. 

Create a list of skills you enjoy using and think you’re good at. Then create a list of skills you want to develop or improve. (For a listing of occupational skills, visit ONet or LinkedIn’s Career Explorer.)

You can also use ChatGPT or Claude to help you identify skills used in your past job.  

Reminder: You are inventorying skills you enjoy using. 

5. Strategic Market Intelligence

Now you are ready to run this information by people you know and trust.  But don’t stop there. Talk to people who hold roles you are interested in. Ask them for their advice on where your skills and background might fit. This will allow you to create yet another list of ideas to pursue.

When having these conversations, you should also ask about the current challenges they face in their role/industry. This will provide you with valuable insights. 

Each of these conversations helps you gather information about the viability of your career transition and potential companies of interest to you.

There’s No Easy Button or Magic Wand

There is no magic wand to help you find the perfect job. 

But there are assessments; some are free, some are not. But even an assessment will not be able to tell you exactly what you should do next. It will provide options and it’s up to you to research and determine what those careers are. 

Why Do You Need To Do This?

Job titles vary from company to company, making it difficult to find what you are looking for. And over the years, the functions within jobs changed. This can be based on technology or other changes in the industry.

To find a good match for your background and values, you will need to be very clear about what you enjoy doing, are good at, and what problems you solve. This allows you to pursue jobs that align with your vision of what’s next.

The Bottom Line

Finding a fulfilling job means there is always more than one “correct” answer. 

The good news is, no one says you have to do your next job for the rest of your life. If you don’t like it, you can leave!  

Taking these steps to assess your next career move requires careful thinking about what you want. The process of exploring is part of how you’ll learn about the options. Enjoy what you discover and who you meet along the way!

The post 5 Steps To A Strategic Career Move appeared first on Career Sherpa.

Networking for Job Seekers: A Practical Guide for Introverts and the Networking-Averse

Every time you talk with someone, there is an element of networking involved. 

Sometimes you see and feel the connection, other times you may feel like there wasn’t any connection at all.

In the many years I’ve been counseling job seekers, here’s what I know. The one reason job seekers get frustrated (and give up) is that it is difficult to see where these conversations and new relationships will lead. The end result of your conversations isn’t always evident.

You can’t predict who will be able to introduce you to new people or opportunities. So, for people who are looking for quick, tangible results, applying to jobs online checks the box and networking doesn’t.

These meetings aren’t just about landing a job lead. You also talk with people for a variety of personal and professional reasons as well. Honestly, I think networking needs a new name!

Networking often requires you to step outside your comfort zone, and sometimes you just have to do it!

Here is some advice to make networking less awkward.

How to Network When You’re an Introvert: 2 Low-Stakes Strategies

Focus on People You Already know: Reach out to former colleagues or friends (your “dormant ties”) with a simple “Hello, I’m exploring new roles” message, or better yet “I need your help.” The key is to keep it low-pressure with no immediate “ask” for a job or referral.

Become a Commenter: You don’t have to attend exhausting in-person events. Start by leaving thoughtful, insightful comments on 3-5 LinkedIn posts from your network or target companies each week to build visibility.

How to Network Without Small Talk: Focus on ‘Other-Centric’ Questions

Make networking “other-centric”. In other words, focus your conversation on learning about the person you are speaking with. Here are some questions you can ask to keep the conversation going  Hate Making Small Talk?  Just Ask Questions

“The Pivot Technique”

Along the way, when you are having conversations with people, you may want to shift the focus. When you use this sparingly, in other words, not 3-5 times during every conversation, you are politely turning the conversation on your skills, talents, abilities. Here’s a bridge phrase you might consider using to gently shift the conversation:

For example: “That’s so interesting to hear how [Company] handles that challenge. In my experience with [Your Skill], I’ve seen a similar problem solved by [Your Achievement]. Do you think that kind of approach is valued at your company?”

Networking Strategy for Job Search: How to Create a Plan That Works

Before you do anything, develop a plan to network strategically and purposefully. This also helps you see how to structure your time and effort. Read more about this here:  Start with a plan to grow your network

How to Find Job Referrals Using LinkedIn

When applying for jobs, studies say that referrals are the number one way new employees are found and hired.  So how can you find company insiders? LinkedIn is the obvious answer. Learn how to  Find the Back Door for a Job Posting Using LinkedIn

Evidence of Networking Success in Job Searching

You can downplay the importance of networking or even ignore it, but the facts are the facts.

The majority of job seekers report that they secured their last job due in part, if not fully, because of networking! 

No Response Does NOT Mean What You Think

When you send an email or text message and don’t hear back, that’s normal. People are busy, and your message is not their top priority. All you need to do is send a friendly reminder. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How do I network if I hate small talk? A: Focus on being “other-centric.” Ask open-ended questions like, “How did you get started in this field?” or “What do you enjoy most about your current role?”.

Q: Should I ask for a job during a networking chat? A: No. The goal is to build relationships and learn. If the connection is strong, you can ask for advice, information, or recommendations (AIR) instead.

Q: How many people do I need to reach out to? A: Aim for quality over quantity. Even one or two meaningful conversations per week can shift your job search momentum.

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