Sabili Chowdhury’s Post

Notes from a New Recruiter | Networking Without the Awkwardness Before starting out in recruitment, networking always sounded quite intimidating. There was nothing worse for me than walking into a room full of people I didn’t know and having to strike up a conversation with them. Back then, I’d rather untangle 10 boxes of fairy lights than network😬. What I’ve actually learned is that networking is a lot more human, and really, it’s just curiosity in action! 🤔Be curious, not perfect. Previously, I’d stress over the ability to keep up a conversation. Wondering what questions I’d ask next or whether the people I’m speaking to would actually like me or not. I’ve learnt over time that showing genuine interest, asking questions when it feels natural shows more authenticity over anything else. I’m very proud of myself for becoming more relaxed in new conversations and keeping things simple! 💪Confidence comes from consistency. Harriett is my biggest advocate for putting myself outside my comfort zone, and that has worked wonders for my progress at Ambition! In Week 1, I would be incredibly hesitant to get on the phone, compared to now in Week 5 (time flies!), I’m eager to talk to everyone! I’ve been focusing on individual targets to help with my consistency and as the cliché saying goes, “Practice makes perfect!’. 🤝Don’t be afraid to build relationships. A quick message or check-in email after a conversation can turn a brief exchange into a genuine relationship. This is valuable especially when talking to both clients and candidates as it builds credibility and your personal brand! I’m realising that “networking” isn’t about selling or impressing. It’s about building trust, finding common ground, and creating space for genuine connection. [Picture from a chilly morning before leaving for work!] #NotesFromaNewRecruiter #LegalBD #BuildingBetterFutures

💭 Let’s talk about the power of your network and the myth around it! We often hear that “It’s all about who you know.” But here’s the truth: your network can open the door, not walk you through it! Connections may help you get noticed, but what gets you hired is your merit, skills, and how well you fit the position! A referral might give your profile visibility, but it can’t replace preparation, performance, or potential! So instead of chasing connections for shortcuts, focus on building credibility, not just contacts. Because when you truly know your craft, your network becomes your amplifier and not your shortcut. ✨ Build value. Build trust. Build yourself. That’s how your name starts circulating in rooms you haven’t even entered yet! #Networking #CareerGrowth #RecruiterInsights #LinkedInTips #MeritMatters

Most people think networking is about who you know. They are only half right. This week’s #TransitionThursday video dives into something that changes everything for military-connected job seekers—connection. Because following a company is one thing. But building relationships that open doors? That is where your next mission begins. In 41 seconds, you’ll see why the smallest shift in how you reach out can make the biggest difference in who reaches back. Watch the video. Then tell us in the comments: Who’s one person you plan to connect with this week? #VeteranHiring #CareerAdvice #Networking

Day 6 of the#60DayJobOfferChallenge Your Relationships Matter. Your social capital is key. Let’s talk about something powerful — relationships. Because no matter how sharp your CV is, your next opportunity might come from a conversation. So… yesterday, what kind of feedback did you receive? from your friends, family, etc... Who reminded you of your strengths? Who opened your eyes to something new? That’s where growth starts. Networking isn’t begging — it’s connection. It’s not about asking for a job. It’s about building relationships, learning from people, and being visible to those who move in the spaces you want to be in. Action Step 1: Message three or mor people on LinkedIn you admire — someone in your field, a recruiter, or a leader you’d love to learn from. Keep it simple: “Hi Juliet, I really admire your work in Recruitment. I’m currently in the process of applying for roles in HR and Talent Acquisition and would love your insight on how you got started or what you’d recommend.” No pressure. No begging. Just genuine curiosity. Action Step 2: Now, open your phonebook. Scroll through your contacts — friends, ex-colleagues, former clients, even that old classmate you haven’t spoken to in years. Ask yourself: Who can I reconnect with today? Send one message, make one call, or schedule a meet up... And dont go direct to--- I need a job.. build the connection 1st... Relationships open doors CVs can’t. Today’s goal: Reconnect with 2 new people and 10 old contacts Reach out, and plant seeds. Keep doing this weekly or bi- weekly... Who are you messaging today? Drop a “✅” once you’ve done it — accountability starts here. As a recruiter, I know I have personally connected people to jobs ( even the ones that I am not involved in the recruitment process), I have also gotten jobs and even business because of relationships....... So start planting those seeds

Networking is often misunderstood. It’s not just sending a LinkedIn message to someone who works at a company you’re interested in. When I shared a job opening at my current company, I intended to inform people I actually know—personally or professionally—and the people they might refer. Instead, I received dozens of requests to meet, many assuming it was a shortcut to a first interview. One person even referred to my company as the CDC (BTW it’s CDA with a vastly different mission). I will take cold informational calls, but it helps if you mention a mutual connection. If I don’t know you, I can’t vouch for you—so the purpose of that first conversation should simply be to learn about the work and the organization, not to ask for a referral. Some of the most impressive conversations I’ve had are with people who stay in touch over time, and when the right role comes along, I’m glad to support them with a referral or introduction. I’m willing to vouch for you because we’ve built a relationship. Networking is a two-way relationship, built over time. I’ve heard of too many stories recently where people have reached out to people they’ve worked with in the past to get help only to be met with only silence on the other end, but these same people come out of the woodwork asking for jobs a year later when they were laid off. Effective networking means mutual connection, consistency, and genuine interest, not transactional asks. #jobhunting #networking

Many candidates focus only on sending out applications, but one of the most powerful ways to land a job is through networking. Studies show that a large percentage of positions are filled through referrals or connections before they’re even advertised. But networking doesn’t mean approaching strangers and immediately asking for a job. Instead, think of it as building and nurturing genuine professional relationships. Here are three simple ways to strengthen your network: 1️⃣ Reconnect with old contacts – Send a friendly message to a former colleague, manager, or classmate. You don’t need an agenda — just showing interest can revive valuable connections. 2️⃣ Engage online – Use LinkedIn to share insights, comment thoughtfully on posts, and follow companies you admire. Consistent engagement makes you more visible to recruiters. 3️⃣ Give before you ask – Offer value, like sharing an interesting article, giving feedback, or making an introduction for someone else. When you’re generous, people are more likely to help you in return. 👉 Remember: networking isn’t a one-time event. It’s an ongoing process that can open unexpected doors when you least expect it. #NetworkingTips #CareerAdvice #ProfessionalNetworking #JobSearch #CareerDevelopment #Recruitment #CareerGrowth #JobSeekers #CareerSuccess #ProfessionalTips

When Networking Is not Enough… Let us be real for a second sometimes landing a job is not about hard work, skills, or timing. Sometimes it is because they already know someone. And yes, networking is powerful building genuine relationships, showing your value, getting noticed. But there is another side to it: NEPOTISM. I have seen positions advertised just to tick compliance boxes, to avoid getting slammed by labour practices… while the hiring team already knows who they are going for. As someone in HR, that hits differently. Especially when you genuinely care about integrity, fairness, and merit. Watching talented, hardworking people get overlooked because of privilege it stings. Here is what I try to remember: 1. Networking matters — but so does doing the right thing. 2. Nepotism hurts individuals and organisations alike. 3. If you can open a door for someone, let it be because they deserve it, not because they’re “connected.” 4. And if you’ve felt unseen despite your effort your value is real, even if the system doesn’t see it yet. Keep showing up. Keep doing good work. The right opportunities will find you and when they do, let them come through credibility, not connections. #HRInsights #Networking #Nepotism #FairOpportunities #Integrity #CareerGrowth

😱We tell job seekers to network harder. Then we wonder why it looks forced. After 16 years in recruitment and more than 20 in career strategy, I've seen both sides, and they rarely agree. Job seekers are told: "Start networking right away." "Send 100 connection requests." "Go to every event you can." I've watched people follow that advice and end up burnt out, invisible, and no closer to landing a role. It looks productive. But to hiring managers, it often feels desperate. A VP of Talent told me recently: "I can spot copy-paste networking in 3 seconds. It's the fastest way to get ignored." Here's what actually gets their attention: 👉🏾 Real curiosity, not urgency. 👉🏾 Honest conversation, not performance. 👉🏾 Genuine relationships, not transactions. The gap isn't effort, it's energy. When you network from exhaustion, it shows. When you connect from genuine interest, people respond. What actually helps: Take a breath. Rest first. Reach out when you have real energy, not when you're desperate. Lead with curiosity. Ask questions, listen, and connect for real. Quality beats quantity, and readiness beats urgency. 💬 What kind of networking behaviour makes you pull back? #careertransition #networking #careerstrategy #jobsearch

I get this question quite often  “𝘏𝘦𝘺, 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘦?” I completely understand why people reach out. Referrals can help candidates stand out and sometimes speed up the process. But here’s an important truth: I can’t (and won’t) refer someone I don’t know personally or haven’t worked with before. Why? Because a referral to me isn’t just a click of a button, it’s a personal endorsement. When I refer someone, I’m essentially saying to my colleagues, “𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯’𝘴 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘴, 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘴𝘵𝘺𝘭𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘤, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺’𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘢 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘧𝘪𝘵.” If we haven’t worked together or at least had a proper interview conversation, I don’t have enough context to do that responsibly. 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐝, 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐟𝐮𝐥: ✅ I’m always happy to share open roles publicly so everyone has equal access. ✅ If you’re interested in joining Wargaming, take time to tailor your CV and apply directly because every application is reviewed by our recruiters. ✅ And if you genuinely want to build a connection, start by engaging and having a conversation, share your experience, and let’s get to know each other. Relationships grow over time, not through one message. So next time you think about asking for a referral, just remember that it’s not a “no,” it’s a “not yet. 😉

🌟 Monday Motivation — Power of Professional Networking 🌟 Success doesn’t happen alone — it grows through connections and conversations. 💼 ✅ Here’s how to build strong professional relationships: 1️⃣ Be active on LinkedIn — like, comment & share genuinely 2️⃣ Connect with people in your field, not just when you need a job 3️⃣ Appreciate others’ achievements — positivity builds visibility 🌱 4️⃣ Stay consistent — small interactions create lasting networks 📌 Your network is your net worth — start the week by connecting with purpose. 🚀 💬 Question for you: What’s one thing you do to keep your professional network active? #MondayMotivation #Networking #CareerGrowth #Recruitment #HR #ProfessionalDevelopment #CareerSoftSolutions