Best Networking Opportunities for Professionals

𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗗𝗠 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿. 𝗜 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸. That it was only for extroverts, salespeople, or those who knew the “right” people. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The truth? LinkedIn changed my career more than any job board ever could. From landing internships to publishing research and breaking into power & energy, the biggest opportunities in my career didn’t come from job boards—they came from building the right connections. Yet, so many professionals hesitate to network strategically because they: * Feel awkward reaching out to strangers * Don’t know what to say in a cold DM * Fear getting ignored or rejected I get it—I used to be the same way. But once I started using LinkedIn the right way, I landed mentors, internships, and research opportunities that shaped my entire career. Here’s How You Can Do It Today: ✅ 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 * Look for professionals in your target field (engineers, hiring managers, senior leaders). * Use LinkedIn’s “People Also Viewed” section to find similar profiles. * Join industry groups to see who’s actively sharing insights. ✅ 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗠𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗚𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲 Forget “Hi, can I pick your brain?” That doesn’t work. Instead, try this: 💡 𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗗𝗠 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲: “Hi [Name], I came across your profile while learning about [topic]. I admire your work on [specific project]. I’d love to hear your thoughts on [question]. Would you be open to a quick chat?” ✅ 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗗𝗠 * Like and comment on their posts genuinely * Share their work and add your insights * Make your name familiar before sending a message ✅ 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽 People respond better when you bring something to the table: * Share an article or resource relevant to their work * Offer a fresh perspective on one of their posts * Ask a specific, thoughtful question instead of just “Can you help me?” The Outcome: I’ve used this exact strategy to build meaningful relationships that led to: ✔ Internship opportunities before I even applied ✔ Research collaborations that boosted my career ✔ Insights from industry leaders that I couldn’t find anywhere else If you’re not leveraging LinkedIn for strategic networking, you’re leaving opportunities on the table. 💡 Try this today: Pick ONE person you admire, craft a thoughtful DM, and hit send

Are you spending your job search time wisely? Most leaders in transition I speak with spend the majority of their job search applying online. But here’s the reality: ✅ Most filled positions are never posted ✅ Executive roles are often filled through trusted relationships ✅ Hiring decisions start long before a job ever hits a board So… where’s the missing link? Networking. And the best platform for it? LinkedIn. Most professionals have a LinkedIn profile—but few actually use it to its full potential. Here’s how to start creating real opportunity: Start Conversations. Reach out to former colleagues, industry peers, and leaders at companies you admire. Don’t ask for a job—ask for a conversation. Example message: “Hi [Name], I’ve been following your work at [Company] and admire the path you've taken. I’m currently exploring my next leadership role and would value a brief chat to learn more about your perspective on [industry/trends/company culture]. Would you be open to a quick 15-minute virtual coffee?” Other things to consider: • Don’t underestimate the power of your past network. Reach out with curiosity, updates, and offers of support. • Use filters to identify people in your target companies, functions, or locations. Instead of waiting for a job to post, create visibility before there's an opening. • Share insights, ideas, or even just thoughtful questions. Be the person people want to talk to—not just someone looking for a favor. • Most new jobs don’t come from applications—they come from conversations. So if your job search feels stuck, maybe it’s time to stop hitting "Apply" and start hitting "Connect." #LeadershipJobs #ExecutiveNetworking #HiddenJobMarket #CareerTransition

Did you know that up to 70% of job openings are never advertised online? (It's called the “Hidden Job Market", and how you can tap into it) The "Hidden Job Market" is where many great roles are filled through referrals, networking, and internal recommendations. Here’s how you can tap into these hidden opportunities and uncover roles that others may never see: 1. Leverage Your Network: Reach out to former colleagues, friends, and mentors. Ask them about opportunities within their organizations or fields. Often, companies prefer to hire people recommended by trusted employees! 2. Engage on LinkedIn: Engage with content from companies or leaders in your target industry. Comment thoughtfully, share posts, and connect with recruiters. Consistent interaction can put you on their radar before a role is even posted. 3. Connect with Recruiters: Many recruiters keep a "talent pipeline" of candidates. Build connections, have informal chats, and stay in touch. When a relevant role opens up, you could be the first they think of. 4. Attend Industry Events: Webinars, conferences, and virtual meet-ups are full of hiring managers and professionals who know of internal openings. Strike up conversations, and you may learn about opportunities in advance. 5. Join Professional Groups: LinkedIn groups, alumni networks, and industry-specific forums often post job leads and insider tips. These groups are gold mines for networking and finding unadvertised roles. 6. Cold Outreach: Don’t be afraid to message hiring managers or department heads. Express interest in their team and ask to be considered for future openings. A personalized message shows initiative and can make a lasting impression. Here are the most important networking resources to help you find your next job: 1. Meetup - www.meetup.com 2. Luma - https://lu.ma 3. Fishbowl - www.fishbowlapp.com 4. Blind - www.teamblind.com 5. Iscicle - https://iscicle.com BONUS: Check out BuildML and Break Into Data to find network with Data Science folks. Lastly, remember that being proactive can open doors to roles you’d never see in a job search. Be intentional, consistent, and genuine, and you’ll be surprised at the opportunities that come your way. May you find the right opportunity soon. All The Best! P.S: I post job search tips and resources. Connect with me for FREE resources every week.

#careertip: You are probably missing out on many job opportunities. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, as of Jan. 9, 2024, there were 9.5 million job openings in the U.S. In a search I made today, LinkedIn shows 5,078,528 job ads with base in the U.S. and Indeed shows 244,950 full time jobs available in the U.S. If you're focusing your search only on these two social networks for professionals, it's time to broaden your horizon. Here's how to tap into the wider job market effectively: 1. Look into niche job boards specific to your industry, as well as regional or local job boards. Sites like AngelList are great for startup jobs, while Idealist.org is perfect for nonprofit positions. 2. Engage with professional groups on social media, attend industry meetups, conferences, and webinars. Don't underestimate the power of reaching out to contacts for informational conversations – they can offer insights and introduce you to opportunities that aren’t advertised. 3. Identify companies you’re interested in and visit their career pages regularly. Some companies prefer to list openings on their website to attract candidates who are specifically interested in their organization (and because they want to save money!). 4. Many educational institutions have career services for alumni and platforms for networking with fellow graduates. Check them out! 5. Share your job search goals with friends, family, and former colleagues. Often, jobs are found through personal connections. 6. Join professional groups or associations related to your field and participate in online communities. They often have job boards, resources, and networking events that can lead to job opportunities. 7. When browsing LinkedIn, use the "Search" bar more than the "Jobs" tab. The article below explains how I approach job search and how I find most of the #commsjobs I share with you. Check out the article: https://bit.ly/42qGJMR Remember: the more avenues you explore, the better your chances of finding a role that truly fits your skills and aspirations. Also, always prioritize starting your application from a personal connection instead of just sending your resume into the big black hole of ATS systems, hoping for the best. Keep an open mind and stay persistent – your next great opportunity could come from where you least expect it.

Networking, let's get this straight, isn't a game of how many business cards you can collect; it's about sowing seeds for relationships that bear fruit over time. It's not about who you know, it's about who wants to know you. Here's how you do it: 1️⃣ Dive into the virtual world. Attend webinars, online forums, or any digital gathering where industry leaders are speaking. Don't just be another name in the attendee list. Ask questions, engage in the chat, follow up with speakers or participants afterward. Make your presence felt. 2️⃣ But don't stop there. Physical presence still counts. Hit up local industry meetups, conferences, or seminars. When you're there, don't just hover around the snack table. Introduce yourself, start conversations, listen more than you talk. Be genuinely interested in what others are doing and find common ground. 3️⃣ Let's talk about informational interviews – a grossly underutilized tool. Reach out to professionals, not for jobs, but for insights. Ask them about their journey, the challenges they face, the trends they see. This is not about you asking for favors; it's about understanding their world. And here's the kicker: people love talking about themselves. Let them. ➡ ➡ ➡ But here's the crucial part: offer value in every interaction. Don't be a leech, sucking information and connections without giving anything back. Share your insights, offer your help, maybe connect them with someone in your network. It's a two-way street. And remember, the time to build your network isn't when you're desperate for a job. It's now. When you're not asking for a job, but for advice, connections, and insights. By the time you need your network, it should already be there, strong and waiting. Networking is a long game, play it wisely. #networking #linkedin #linkedinconnection #linkedinhacks