Networking To Access Hidden Job Market

Networking and socializing are not the same thing, though many people treat them as if they are. Socializing is about enjoying the moment. Networking is about investing in relationships that grow over time. They often overlap, but their intentions differ. You can socialize without networking. And you can network without making it feel transactional. In fact, the best networking rarely feels like networking at all. It’s catching up with a former colleague, congratulating someone on a promotion, making intros, or checking in just because it’s been a while, not because you need something. Socializing ends when the conversation ends. Networking continues long after, because the relationship doesn’t. When you stop asking, “What can I get from this relationship?” and start asking, “How can I nurture this relationship?” networking becomes natural. And that’s when it becomes truly powerful.

A follow-up to something I posted earlier… The most valuable person in your network probably has nothing to do with your industry. That sounds backwards. But here's what most people miss about networking: The connections that look "irrelevant" create the most exponential growth. The ones that seem "practical" just keep you moving in straight lines. I think about people in my life who have made a real difference, like Michael Roderick, a friend who used to be a Broadway producer and inspired me on my journey to start writing musical theater. As I write about in The Long Game, there are three types of networking most people never distinguish: Short-Term Networking: You connect because you need something now. It feels transactional because it is. People sense the agenda immediately. Long-Term Networking: You build relationships in your field over time. Smart professionals do this consistently. But it's the baseline, not the breakthrough. Infinite Horizon Networking: This is where exponential growth happens. You connect with people completely outside your sphere. Not because you need something. Because they spark curiosity. The astronaut who changes how you think about systems. The comedian who teaches you timing in presentations. The dog breeder who shows you patience in development. These connections seem impractical. They won't help you close a deal next quarter. But here's the paradox: When you stop optimizing for immediate relevance, you start accessing ideas no one else in your field has. You think differently. You solve problems differently. You become unforgettable in a sea of people with identical networks. Your greatest opportunities emerge from conversations you never expected to have. Networking isn't just a business tool. It's about becoming more curious. More creative. More human. When you connect out of genuine curiosity, you don't just build a network. You become someone worth knowing. It's the most rewarding investment you can make in your personal and professional life. Think about the people in your life who inspire you most - and ways you can begin to spend even more time with people outside your sphere.

Let’s talk about the difference between networking and using. On the surface, they can look the same. But the outcomes couldn’t be more different. Networking can be the unlock that advances your career. Rooted in genuine connection, it’s how people get into the right rooms. How they learn faster. How they sharpen their skills and create more opportunities for themselves, and the people around them. But using? That’s how reputations get damaged. It happens when the ask is bigger than the value you bring. When the relationship begins and ends with: “What can you do for me?” One of the biggest mistakes I see people make is going for the ask too early. They see someone successful and assume that success gives them permission to make a bigger request. But the strongest, most enduring relationships I’ve built happened very differently. They were built on generosity. Supporting people. Celebrating their wins. Making introductions. Creating value wherever I could. And here’s the important part… This doesn’t mean relationships should stay one-sided forever. Healthy networks become reciprocal over time. When you consistently show up with value, trust grows. And once that trust is established, support naturally flows both ways. That’s when networking becomes truly powerful. What’s the best networking lesson you’ve learned? 👇🏾

Our client pivoted from Sales to Data Analytics. They did it with no formal data experience. Here are 6 strategies they used to make it happen: Context: When our client reached out, they were stuck. They had spent months applying to data analyst roles with no success, despite completing a data analytics course. They had even received a verbal offer that was later rescinded. Frustration was building, and they were considering a return to account management. We teamed up with them, and things started to change: 1. They Clarified Their Target Role Before working with us, their approach was to just apply to any and every data analytics role that popped up. We helped shift that mindset to focus more of our energy on a smaller set of highly-aligned companies. They used this clarity to create a “Match Score” for each opportunity—filtering out roles that didn’t align with their ideal job. 2. They Optimized Their LinkedIn For What Employers Wanted To See Before joining, they weren’t getting any outreach for roles on LinkedIn. We revamped their LinkedIn headline and profile to include keywords specific to the Data Analytics space as well as projects that illustrated their capabilities. Then the inbound messages began to roll in. 3. They Shifted Their Time From Online Apps To Networking Instead of just applying online, they reached out to alumni from an analytics bootcamp they attended. They specifically focused on people who had successfully transitioned into data roles. One alum gave them insider insights into the hiring process at a target company and even suggested key skills to emphasize their application. 4. They Built A Consistent Outreach System They started sending 5 personalized LinkedIn messages per day to data professionals. They focused on asking for advice, then taking action on it and using it to open the door for a follow-up. This helped build rapport and trust, which led to multiple referrals and interviews. 5. They Went Deep On Interview Prep They knew that other candidates would likely have more “traditional” experience to lean on, so they went deep on interview prep. For technical interviews, they built a portfolio project analyzing Airbnb data to showcase SQL and visualization skills. For behavioral interviews, they prepared answer examples that tied directly into the company’s biggest needs and goals. 6. They Stayed Persistent & Flexible Originally, the recruiter who reached out was asking about a business analyst role. After pitching their SQL and Python skills, our client convinced the recruiter to get them in the door for a data analytics position. Then they used their networking to gain insider info on goals and challenges which they pitched in their interview. That approach secured the offer.

I used to see WhatsApp as purely personal. Group chats with friends, family messaging, and almost constant memes. But over the last year, that perception has had to shift, and it’s a shift that signals a trend towards an ever increasing blend between personal and professional. I’ve found myself increasingly part of WhatsApp groups with founders, investors, and niche interest communities. These aren’t “networking groups” in the traditional sense , but it does still qualify as networking (of sorts). These communities, often informal and sometimes chaotic, are surprisingly valuable. In some, I’m highly active but in others, I’m more of a listener. As with any community, you get out what you put in, and I think it’s important to have a “how can I help?” rather than “what can I take?” attitude. This week alone, during London Tech Week, several of these groups turned into real-world meetups: teas/coffees, introductions, collaborations, and new ideas. One of the most unexpected? A WhatsApp group of football supporters (200 miles from our actual club) that led to meaningful connections with other London-based founders, all from a shared love of an non-business interest. It’s reminded me: ➡️ Community doesn’t have to look like traditional “networking.” ➡️ Founders can (and should) help each other. ➡️ The lines between personal and professional may just be converging into something more human. Sometimes the best intros don’t come from a attendee list, but from a group chat you didn’t expect. How has such a community unexpectedly surprised you? #LondonTechWeek #StartupLife #FoundersHelpingFounders #CommunityMatters

I often hear: "Why get a referral if the resume still goes into the system?" Here’s the simple truth: A referral is the VIP pass that changes your application's journey, even if the destination is the same ATS. The 3 Essential Advantages You Gain: 1. Priority Flagging: Your application is immediately tagged as "Referred"—moving it from the general queue to the recruiter’s short list. 2. Built-in Credibility: An employee is vouching for you. This signals quality talent and gives you a significant advantage over cold applicants. 3. Faster Momentum: Recruiters prioritize referred candidates because they lead to quicker, better hires (and employee bonuses are involved!). This often means faster interview invites. Strategic Referral Outreach: 1. Stop waiting for luck. Start connecting strategically: 2. Find the #Job: Locate the specific role you want. 3. Find the Insider: Use LinkedIn to connect with employees in relevant departments (connect before asking!). 4. Make the Polite Ask: Once connected, clearly and respectfully ask for the referral, explaining why you are a great fit. Make it easy for them! Referrals don't just put you in the system—they put you on top of the list. Your Next Step for #hirings: Stop the mass apply. Identify one key role and find an internal advocate today for a #referral.

Most people think networking is how you get ahead - NO. Strategic Project Leaders create value and leaders seek them out; hence, their network grows— that is why they rise. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐬, 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐨 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐡𝐨𝐰 ��𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐮𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬. Executives and decision-makers are not impressed by flattery or forced small talk. They are moved by : ✔️clarity, ✔️ relevance, ✔️your ability to help them think differently or move faster toward a goal. This is where most professionals get it wrong: They network to be seen, instead of networking to be of service. When you shift your mindset from “How can this help me?” to “How can I create strategic value for this person or organisation?”—everything changes. 🪀Doors open. 🪀Conversations go deeper. 🪀Opportunities multiply. Strategic networking is not about volume—it is about intention. It is not only about visibility—it is about value to others. That is how I built relationships with leaders I once thought were out of reach. That is how you position yourself as someone worth aligning with. 👉Not just a professional. 👉Not just a contact. 👉A catalyst. Want to learn how to create value that builds networks like a Strategic Project Leader? Let’s talk. I will show you how I do it—and how you can too. #FolaElevates #StrategicLeadership #Networking #ProjectLeadership #StrategicElites #CareerAcceleration #ProjectIntelligence ----------------------- Adam Grant, a renowned organizational psychologist, also notes that successful networking is not about climbing the social ladder but creating meaningful, reciprocal relationships. This aligns with research from the Journal of Management Studies, which found that leaders with diverse networks are better positioned to identify and leverage new opportunities.

I've referred people who got hired. I've also quietly ignored a lot of referral requests. There was one major difference between them: The resume. Everyone talks about how to get a referral. Almost nobody thinks about what a referral costs the person giving it. When I refer you, I'm spending my reputation with my own colleagues. So like every insider, I only say yes when it feels like a safe bet. The requests I ignored all looked the same. A stranger, a resume, and "can you refer me?" in the first message. That's asking me to vouch for someone I can't vouch for. The people I referred did something different. They asked about my work before they asked for anything. They knew what my team was struggling with. By the time a role opened, referring them felt easy, because I actually knew them. The data backs this up. Aakash Gupta just surveyed 100 people who landed jobs in this market: 49 got in through referrals. Inbound from recruiters got 28. A tailored resume plus a custom work product got 12. Cold applications got 11. The channel everyone spends 90% of their time on produced the fewest hires. And senior roles rarely get posted at all, so insiders hear about them weeks before any job board does. A referral is someone spending their reputation on you. Your whole job search is making that a safe bet. Here's the system that does it, in about 2 hours a week: Week 1: Build a target list of 30 companies where your background maps to a problem they actually have. Right jobs beat more jobs. Week 2: Reach out to 5 to 10 insiders per target. Ask about their work and their team's priorities. Never ask for a job in the first message. Expect 90% silence. The 10% who reply are all you need. Week 3: Turn conversations into advocates. Now you arrive with context and a recommendation instead of joining a pile of 500 resumes. Week 4: Make the specific ask. Advocates surface unposted roles and walk you in. One referral opens ten closed doors. AI runs the busywork: scanning your 30 targets daily, tailoring a resume per role from your real experience, drafting outreach that references the actual person, and queueing follow-ups every morning. About 20 minutes a day instead of 3 hours. But follow up by hand. Automation sequences get ignored, and personalized follow-ups win most replies. This Thursday, July 23 at 9:00 AM PDT, Aakash Gupta, Prasad Reddy, and I are teaching the full system live in a free lightning lesson. Save your seat: https://lnkd.in/eKyJ--x7 Full program: www.landpmjob.com #ProductManagement #JobSearch #CareerAdvice

The fastest way to end a professional relationship before it begins is to make your first interaction an ask. It happens all the time. Someone starts a new job and immediately messages the CEO or a senior executive: "Can I pick your brain?" "Would you have 30 minutes for coffee?" "I'd love to learn from your career journey." It feels ambitious to the sender, but to the recipient, it often feels transactional. Think about it from their perspective. They don't know you yet. They haven't seen your work, your judgment, or your contributions. Yet your very first interaction is asking them to give you their most limited resource: time. The highest achievers approach this very differently because they understand that relationships are built before they're needed. One of the most valuable networking strategies I've learned came from my friend and co-author, Andy Lopata FLPI FPSA PSAE. He calls it the 24-7-30 Rule, and it's brilliantly simple. Within 24 hours of meeting someone, send a brief note reminding them where you met. Seven days later, share something relevant to your conversation, like an article, podcast, or insight. Thirty days later, reconnect again with something of value. Notice what's missing. There isn't an ask. There isn't a request for coffee. There isn't a request to "pick their brain." Instead, you're building familiarity, trust, and credibility one thoughtful interaction at a time. Most people think networking is about making introductions. The people who build extraordinary careers know it's really about mastering the follow-up. I recently chatted with Kate Snow of NBC News about how to do networking right...because opportunities rarely come from a single conversation. They come from relationships you've intentionally nurtured over time. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Dr Ruth Gotian is a scholar and keynote speaker on success and high performance. 🎤 She speaks to organizations, President's Clubs, leadership offsites, and associations. 🔎 Her work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Fortune, Harvard Business Review, and Fast Company. ▶️ Press follow and set the 🔔 to "Always" to learn how the world's highest achievers succeed, and you can too.

I remember my first professional conference like it was yesterday. I walked in, clutching my notebook like a lifeline, feeling like I was about to jump into a shark tank. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗺𝘆 𝗽𝗮𝗹𝗺𝘀 𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗮𝘁. I kept thinking, “What if I embarrass myself?” or “What if no one wants to talk to me?” Sound familiar? But here’s the truth: 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗮 𝗱𝗮𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗮𝘀𝗸! Many of us view it as a necessary evil, a chore we must endure to avoid negative outcomes (what we call a 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀). But what if I told you it doesn’t have to be that way? Instead of seeing networking as a burden, try to envision it as an exciting opportunity to broaden your horizons and foster personal and professional growth (this is the 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀). It’s all about shifting your perspective to embrace the endless possibilities that come with connecting with others. If you find yourself stuck in that “I have to do this” mindset, don’t worry! Here are some fun ways to flip the script: 💫 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: Treat conferences and networking events as opportunities to learn. When you approach them with curiosity, they become way more interesting! Who doesn’t love a good learning experience? 💫 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀: Finding shared passions with others can make conversations flow so much easier. It’s all about connection! 💫 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲: Instead of just thinking about what you can gain, consider what unique insights or talents you can share. It makes networking feel more like a two-way street. 💫 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲: When your networking efforts align with a meaningful mission, it becomes so much more rewarding. Think about what drives you and how you can connect with others who share that vision. And here’s the best part: 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁 (𝗜’𝗺 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗺𝘆𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳) 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴! Whether you’re outgoing or more reserved, it’s all about your mindset. 𝗕𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿. 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴!